Best Credit Cards in Germany
Comparing cards in Germany is mostly about avoiding fees: many cards from DKB, N26, Deutsche Bank and Hanseatic Bank carry no annual fee and no foreign-transaction charge, which matters because Germans use debit heavily and true credit cards are less common. Lenders check your SCHUFA score (expressed as a percentage where roughly 95%+ is generally considered good as of 2026), and a thin or negative SCHUFA record can sink an application outright. Watch for cards that quietly charge for cash withdrawals or carry a monthly account fee. Confirm fee structures and Apple/Google Pay support with the issuer.
Top picks in Germany
DKB Visa Debitkarte
Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB)
DKB's Visa is the long-time favourite for German travellers because it charges 0% on fore…
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Germany
The German Amex Platinum makes sense only if you'll burn through its annual credits; othe…
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
Hanseatic Bank
The GenialCard is one of Germany's few genuinely free Visa cards with no annual fee and n…
Barclays Visa
Barclays Germany
The Barclays Visa is a sensible free everyday card for Germans who want no FX fees and th…
N26 You
N26
Pick N26 You if you want free foreign spending plus travel insurance without jumping to a…
Hanseatic Bank GoldCard
Hanseatic Bank
Choose the GoldCard over the GenialCard when the included travel insurance is the point,…
N26 Metal
N26
N26 Metal is worth it only over You if the extra cover and dedicated support matter to yo…
Miles & More Gold Credit Card
Miles & More (Lufthansa)
Get the Miles & More Gold only if you fly Lufthansa Group enough to value the miles and t…
American Express Payback Card
American Express Germany
The Payback Amex is the easy choice if you already collect Payback points, turning a free…
Explore Germany credit cards
Germany credit card guides
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