TF Mastercard Gold
- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 24,79 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 0 %
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
The Best Free Credit Cards in Germany 2024
Compare the top 10 free credit cards and find the right alternative for you.
Gebührenfrei - Advanzia Mastercard Gold
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 24,63 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 0 %
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
TF Mastercard Gold
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 24,79 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 0 %
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Deutschland Kreditkarte Classic
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 22,08 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 3,95 €
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Extrakarte Novum Bank
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 24,60 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 3,00 % (min 3 €)
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 2,99 %
- Mobile Zahlungen -
C24 Mastercard
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Prepaid/Debit
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins -
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 4,00 % + 0 €
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 1,75 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Netkredit24 Mastercard
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 24,60 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 3,00 % (min 3 €)
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 2,99 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
awa7 Visa
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 21,78 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 3,95 €
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Consors Finanz Mastercard
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 18,90 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 0 %
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 0 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Santander BestCard Basic
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 18,87 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 0 %
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 1,85 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Payback American Express
Vergleichen- Kartentyp Kreditkarte
- Jahresgebühr 0 €
- Effektiver Jahreszins 11,57 %
- Bargeldabhebungsgebühren 4,00 % (min 5 €)
- Fremdwährungsgebühren 2,00 %
- Mobile Zahlungen
Is a Free Credit Card Really Free?
A free credit card is not always completely free. The credit card does not have an annual fee, but other fees may still apply, such as interest charges, foreign transaction fees and cash withdrawal fees. It is important to read the card's terms and conditions to understand all potential fees associated with the card.
Free Credit Cards: What You Should Know
A free credit card is a suitable option for anyone who wants a credit card without having to pay for it. Free credit cards have no annual fee, which means that they are both affordable and practical, especially for people who only use their credit card occasionally as a buffer or for emergencies.
A key advantage of free credit cards is the interest-free period, which is usually between 30 and 60 days. During this time, you can make purchases without having to pay interest, as long as you pay the balance in full by the due date. This makes free credit cards particularly attractive when it comes to managing short-term expenses.
Many free credit cards also offer different perks. These can include cashback, bonus rewards or travel benefits, that allow you to save even more with your card.
However, it is important that you are aware of other possible fees that these cards might have. Even though there is no annual fee, free credit cards can still have other fees, such as overdraft fees, late payment fees and invoice fees. Understanding if and when these fees might apply is important in order to avoid unexpected costs.
Possible Fees on Free Credit Cards
Interest fees
Free credit cards with money, also known as a credit limit, have interest fees. If you have a revolving credit card and choose to pay your used credit in installments, interest will be charged on any remaining balance carried over to the next billing cycle. If you intend to pay your credit in installments often, choose a free credit card with low interest fees.
Balance transfer fee
A balance transfer fee is charged when you transfer debt from one credit card to another. The typical fee is around 3% - 5% of the amount transferred. Many cards offer 0% interest on balance transfers for a year or more. Here you need to decide if the interest saved outweighs the balance transfer fee or not.
Fee for international transfers
A foreign transaction fee of 1% to 3% may apply for purchases made in a different currency. This includes card purchases made while traveling abroad, cash withdrawals in foreign currencies, or online shopping from international websites that charge in a foreign currency.
Late payment fees
A late fee will be charged if you do not make at least the minimum payment by the due date. The amount varies by card, but this fee can easily be avoided by making sure you always pay your credit card bill on time.
Cashwithdraw fees
Some free credit cards charge fees when money is withdrawn from ATMs. These fees can either be a fixed amont, a minimun percentage of around 3%, or a minimum of approximately €2 to €5 per withdrawal.
Card replacement
If you lose your card or if it is stolen, there may be a fee for issuing and sending a replacement card.
Partner cards
Some free credit cards offer the option of issuing a partner card that is connected and uses the same credit limit as the main card. While some providers offer a partner card for free, other card providers may charge a one time fee for issuing them.
Invoice fees
Invoice fees may apply if you wish to receive your credit card bill in printed form by post rather than digitally. Paper statements can sometimes require a small monthly fee to cover printing and postage costs. To avoid this, it is usually possible to choose digital invoices, which are usually free.
How Much Can a Free Credit Card Cost?
With our calculator below you can get a good idea of how much the interest fees on a free credit card can cost. This will give you a better idea of the potential costs that may arise if you do not pay your balance in full each month.
Wählen Sie die Höhe Ihres Kredits
Ergebnis
TF Mastercard Gold- Zinsen 22,35 %
- Gesamtkosten 498 €
- Gesamtrückzahlungsbetrag 2 498 €
- Höhe der monatlichen Raten 104 €
Which Credit Card is Really Free?
Yes, they really do exist - free credit cards. They come without an annual fee, and many other fees are either greatly reduced or completely removed.
One such option is TF Mastercard Gold Card. This card does not charge an annual fee and allows free worldwide transactions. It also offers a flexible repayment model that can be customized to your financial needs.
Advanzia Mastercard Gold is another credit card that is truly free. It charges no annual fee and allows cash withdrawals worldwide without fees.
Consors Finance Mastercard is another strong candidate that waives all fees for both domestic and international payments and also charges no yearly fee.
Features For the Best Free Credit Cards
The best free credit cards offers the advantage of no annual charges, while still offering other attractive features. Some factors that make a free credit card good are:
- No or low fees for foreign payments and cash withdrawals
- Generous bonus rewards, cashback or discounts
- Repayment flexibility
- High acceptance worldwide
- Additional insurances like travel insurance, purchase protection or international health insurance
Compare Free Mastercard, Visa and Amex
The selection of free credit cards is diverse and includes offers from major networks such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Free Visa cards offer worldwide acceptance, with access to numerous discounts and benefits through the Visa network. The Deutschland Kreditkarte Classic is an outstanding example that does not charge an annual fee.
Free Mastercards such as the Advanzia Mastercard Gold offer similar benefits, including worldwide acceptance and access to exclusive offers and benefits through the Mastercard network.
Free American Express cards, such as the American Express Blue, offer their users access to Membership Rewards bonus program and have a wide selection of extra benefits through partners.
The free offers from the various credit card providers make it easy for users to own several cards at the same time. This gives you a wide range of payment options at no extra cost, covering you wherever you are in the world.
How Does the Bank Make Money by Offering Free Credit Cards?
Banks generate revenue primarily through interest that accrues if the cardholder does not pay off their balance on time. In addition, they earn from merchant fees that are due each time the card is used. Banks generate further income from fees for services such as late payments, international transfers or cash withdrawals.
Multiple Free Card Options
Free Credit Cards
Free credit cards is the option that offers you the most amount of financial flexibility. This is because you can choose to pay your used credit in installments. You can decide to pay as much as you want monthly, as long as you pay at least the minimum amount. This is particularly useful for unexpected expenses.
Free Prepaid Cards
Free prepaid cards are suitable if you have a set budget that you want to stick to. With a prepaid card, you load a certain amount of money onto the card and can only spend that amount. This prevents overspending which also prevents accumulating debt.
Free Charge Cards
Free charge cards are special types of credit cards with a set credit limit, but without an interest free period. This means that you have to pay back your used balance in full each month. Due to the fact that you have pay back your entire used credit in time, you avoid having to pay interest fees.
Free Debit Cards
Free debit cards are linked directly to your bank account and debit money immediately for every transaction. Since you can not spend more money than you already have in your account, there is no risk of falling into debt.
Free Credit Cards without Interest
All free credit cards have interest fees, which are charged on unpaid amounts when the interest-free period expires. This means that if you choose to pay your balance in installments, interest will be added to the remaining amount that is not paid back. To avoid interest charges, you should use a credit card without interest, such as a charge card or a debit card. You can also avoid interest fees by making sure you pay back your entire used credit on time.
The Best Free Credit Cards with Perks
Not all free credit cards are the same. Depending on your spending habits and interests, some free cards offer more attractive rewards, benefits or features for you. Below a selection of the best free credit cards with different perks.
Free Credit Cards for Traveling
- 1Gebührenfrei - Advanzia Mastercard Gold
- 2Consors Finanz Mastercard
- 3Deutschland Kreditkarte Classic
-
No foreign transaction fee
-
Travel insurance included
-
5% discount on travel tickets
-
Free cash withdrawals worldwide
-
Travel insurance included
-
0% foreign currency exchange charges
-
Free foreign currency exchange
-
Free cash withdrawals worldwide
-
Free emergency card if lost abroad
Free Credit Cards with Bonus
- 1awa7 Visa
- 2American Express Blue
- 3Payback American Express
-
Earn bonus points on all transactions
-
7% travel bonus
-
Flexible repayment options
-
5.000 points as a welcome bonus
-
All purchases generate bonus points
-
Rewards can be exchanged to flight tickets, vouchers, PAYBACK-points and much more
-
Points for every purchase
-
Up to 3.000 points as a welcome bonus
-
Your points never expire
Free Credit Cards with Cashback
- 1TF Mastercard Gold
- 2Santander BestCard Basic
- 3C24 Mastercard
-
Up to €25 cashback when shopping
-
5 % cashback on car rentals
-
5 % cashback on travel bookings
-
5% cashback on your travel bookings
-
1% fuel discount
-
Offers on rental cars
-
0.05% cashback on all purchases
-
Up to 2.5% promotional cashback
-
Use you cashback for shopping or donate to charity
Free Prepaid and Debit Cards
- 1N26 Smart
- 2Revolut Standard
- 3Bunq Easy Card
| Jahresgebühr | 0 € |
|---|---|
| Bargeldabhebungsgebühren | 0 % |
| Fremdwährungsentgelt | 0 % |
| Mobile Zahlungen | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Jahresgebühr | 0 € |
|---|---|
| Bargeldabhebungsgebühren | 2,00 % (min 1 €) |
| Fremdwährungsentgelt | 0 % |
| Mobile Zahlungen | Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
| Jahresgebühr | 0 € |
|---|---|
| Bargeldabhebungsgebühren | 2,99 € |
| Fremdwährungsentgelt | 2,00 % |
| Mobile Zahlungen | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Compare Free Credit Cards
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kreditkarte | TF Mastercard Gold | Gebührenfrei - Advanzia Mastercard Gold | Deutschland Kreditkarte Classic | Consors Finanz Mastercard |
| Jahresgebühr | 0 € | 0 € | 0 € | 0 € |
| Effektiver Jahreszins | 24,79 % | 24,63 % | 22,08 % | 18,90 % |
| Max. Kreditlimit | Unbegrenzter Kreditlimit | 15 000 € | 2 500 € | 5 000 € |
| Bargeldabhebungsgebühren | 0 % | 0 % | 3,95 € | 0 % |
| Fremdwährungsgebühren | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % |
| Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| Beantragen | Beantragen Eff. Rente 26,07% kr 25.000/12 mnd, kost. 3 265 totalt kr. 28 265 | Beantragen | Beantragen | Beantragen |
Save Money by Combining Free Credit Cards
To maximize your savings, you can combine the benefits that different free credit cards offer. For example, use a card with high cashback for groceries or gas and another with special rewards for dining out or travel. For international purchases or traveling abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees could be the best choice to avoid additional costs. By using the right card for the right situation, you will benefit the most while still avoiding fees. As long as you pay your credit card bills on time, you will not be charged for using multiple cards.
Are Free Credit Cards Easier to Get?
It is not necessarily easier to get a free credit card than a card with an annual fee. This is because approval for both types of credit cards depends on various factors, such as your credit score and income. However, free credit cards are often available for a wider audience, including people with average credit ratings. Instead, premium credit cards with an annual fee might offer more perks and therefore have stricter approval criteria, often requiring a higher credit score. Therefore, it may be easier for people with lower credit scores to qualify for a free credit card than a premium credit card with an annual fee.
Can Paying an Annual Fee Be Worth It?
Yes, it can be well worth choosing a credit card with an annual fee if the benefits and rewards justify the cost. Premium cards often offer you attractive rewards programmes, including higher cashback rates, better travel points and exclusive benefits such as access to airport lounges, free travel insurance and concierge services.
In addition, cards with a yearly fee can offer higher rewards in certain categories such as travel or groceries, which can lead to higher savings. Therefore, if the benefits, bonuses and rewards of a card suits your spending habits and outweigh the annual fee, it can be a worthwhile to choose a card with an annual fee.
Pros and Cons of Free Credit Cards
Advantages
- Flexibility: A free credit card offers high flexibility due to the fact that you can use your card as much or as little as you prefer, without the pressure of justifying an annual fee.
- Bonus and rewards Some free cards offer generous bonus rewards where you can collect points with every purchase, which can be exchanged for rewards.
- Travel benefits: Many free credit cards offer travel insurance or even discounts on travel bookings and rental cars.
- Avoiding additional fees: Many free credit card also allow you to avoid other fees like cash withdraw fee and currency exchange fees.
Disadvantages
- Limitations for free services: Some free credit cards may have limits on the services they offer for free. For example, there might be a limit on the amount of cash you can withdraw for free per month.
- Few premium benefits: Free cards tend to offer fewer exclusive benefits compared to premium credit cards. For instance, free credit cards usually do not offer lounge access or concierge services.
Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself which of these aspects are really important to you. It always makes sense to compare different offers in order to find the best credit card. Especially as this can be completely different for different people depending on their interests and spending habits.
Tips for Avoiding Fees with a Free Credit Card
- Pay your balance in full: Always pay off your balance by the due date to avoid interest fees.
- Avoid late payments: Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders to make sure you pay your credit card bill on time.
- Avoid currency exchange fees: If you are traveling or making purchases in foreign currencies, choose a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Do not overspend: Avoid spending more than you can afford to pay back. This way you avoid overdraft fees and allows you to repay your balance in full.
- Check terms and conditions regularly: Credit card terms and fees are subject to change. Therefore, check the terms and conditions of your card regularly to make sure that you are aware of any changes that may affect your cards fees.
For Whom is a Free Credit Card Suitable?
Free credit cards are suitable for a large number of people. They are ideal for anyone who would like to keep track of their spendings while avoiding costs. Students and first-time credit card users can particularly benefit from the advantages of a free credit card.
Also people who only want to use a credit card occasionally, like while traveling or for online purchases, get a practical payment option with a free credit card because it does not incur any additional costs if it is not used frequently.
Advantages of Using Credit Cards for Payments
If you pay your bills on time, credit cards are actually like a free, short-term loan. They let you track your spending much more easily than cash, and you can download your transaction history for free.
Most offer excellent credit card benefits like free extended warranties on your purchases and free car rental insurance.
With free credit cards, you can take advantage of all the benefits and perks without having to pay for them. You can try out different cards and find out which one suits you best.
FAQ
Alexander Schmidt ist ein etablierter Fachjournalist mit einer besonderen Leidenschaft für die Welt der Kreditkarten und Finanzen. Seit 2017 schreibt er nun für Kreditkarten360, um wertvolle Einblicke in die komplexe Welt des persönlichen Finanzwesens zu geben und den Leser teilhaben zu lassen an seiner langjährigen Erfahrung.
