0
Platforms compared
0+
Countries covered
0
Categories
Daily
Data updates
Looking for a card? Best credit cards for European expats
€0-250/yr
Annual fee range
12-18%
Typical interest rate
30-40%
NL adoption rate
10+
Cards compared
What are credit cards?
A credit card allows you to make purchases now and pay later, either in full at the end of the billing cycle (interest-free) or over time with interest. While credit cards are far less common in the Netherlands and Northern Europe than in the US or UK, they serve important purposes for travel, online shopping with international merchants, and building a credit history.
There are two main types of credit cards in Europe:
Charge cards require you to pay the full balance each month. There is no option to carry a balance, so no interest is charged. American Express cards in Europe often work this way. They are useful for spending discipline and cash flow management, but offer no borrowing flexibility.
Revolving credit cards let you pay a minimum amount each month and carry the remaining balance, on which interest is charged. European credit card interest rates typically range from 12-18% APR, making this an expensive form of borrowing. If you pay your full balance each month, you pay no interest, effectively getting a free short-term loan (the "interest-free period," typically 30-55 days).
Key features that differentiate credit cards include: cashback (0.5-1% back on purchases), travel insurance (often included with premium cards), airport lounge access (Amex Platinum, some Visa/Mastercard premium cards), air miles or rewards points, purchase protection (refund if items are damaged or stolen within 90 days), and contactless payments (standard on all modern European cards).
An important consideration: credit card spending limits are registered as debt capacity in many European countries (including the Netherlands via BKR), even if you pay in full each month. A 5,000 EUR credit limit counts as 5,000 EUR of potential debt, which can reduce your maximum mortgage borrowing capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Not for daily spending, as debit cards and iDEAL (in the Netherlands) cover most purchases. However, a credit card is useful for: car rentals (often required), hotel deposits, online purchases from international retailers, and as an emergency backup while traveling. A basic no-fee card is sufficient for most people.
Look for cards with zero foreign transaction fees. Revolut, Wise, and N26 offer debit cards with excellent exchange rates. For traditional credit cards, the ICS Visa World Card (Netherlands) has no annual fee and reasonable foreign transaction costs. For rewards, Amex offers points but has limited European acceptance.
Credit cards are less dominant in Europe than in the US. Debit cards and bank transfers (especially SEPA) are the primary payment methods in most EU countries. However, credit cards are widely used for online purchases, travel bookings, and as a backup payment method. The Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia are particularly debit-card oriented, while the UK, Ireland, and France have higher credit card usage.
Yes, but rewards programmes in Europe are generally less generous than in the US due to EU regulations capping interchange fees at 0.3% for credit cards. Some cards offer 0.5% to 1% cashback, travel miles, or lounge access. Premium cards with higher annual fees (EUR 50 to EUR 200) tend to offer better perks. Compare the annual fee against the realistic rewards you will earn based on your spending.
European credit card APRs typically range from 12% to 22%, depending on the country and your creditworthiness. Some cards offer 0% introductory rates on purchases or balance transfers for 3 to 12 months. Always aim to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges entirely. If you carry a balance, a low-APR card is more important than rewards.
Many European credit cards charge a foreign currency transaction fee of 1.5% to 3% on purchases outside the eurozone. However, several fintech and travel-focused cards (like those from Revolut, N26, or Wise) offer fee-free or low-fee spending abroad. If you travel frequently, look specifically for cards that waive non-euro transaction fees.
Browse all 8 credit cards
See the full directory with filters, ratings, and side-by-side comparison.
Comparing 8+ platforms across 30 countries
Independent ratingsNo sponsored rankings
Also in Loans
Explore more loans categories
You might also like
Our ratings follow a transparent methodology. Read our editorial policy and how we rate platforms.
Investing involves risk. You could lose some or all of your money. Capmap provides educational information only, not financial advice. Always do your own research before investing. Full risk disclaimer
