Best Secured Credit Cards for Newcomers in the Netherlands

Best Secured Credit Cards for Newcomers in the Netherlands

A secured credit card can be useful for newcomers who have no local credit history or cannot meet the income requirements of a traditional credit card. You normally provide a refundable cash deposit, and the card issuer uses that money as security for your credit limit.

However, finding a conventional secured credit card in the Netherlands is difficult. As of July 2026, the major Dutch banks and financial providers reviewed for this guide do not widely advertise US-style secured credit cards backed by a refundable deposit.

The good news is that newcomers can choose several practical alternatives. Some cards use only money already held in your account, while others offer low credit limits when you meet a modest income requirement.

Are Secured Credit Cards Available in the Netherlands?

Traditional secured credit cards are not a common Dutch banking product.

The mainstream options reviewed generally fall into three categories:

• Regular credit cards requiring income and an affordability check
• Student credit cards with lower income requirements
• Mastercard or Visa cards funded directly from your existing balance

Therefore, an article about the best secured credit cards for newcomers in the Netherlands should distinguish between genuine secured cards and cards that merely provide similar spending control.

A balance-funded card may be useful for hotels, online purchases and international payments, but it does not necessarily provide a credit facility or help establish borrowing history.

Best Secured Credit Card Alternatives in the Netherlands

1. bunq Credit Card: Best Overall Secured-Card Alternative

The bunq Credit Card is one of the closest alternatives to a secured credit card for newcomers.

Merchants see it as a Mastercard Credit Card, which can make it suitable for:

• Hotel reservations
• Online purchases
• Car-rental bookings
• Security deposits
• International payments

For the cardholder, however, payments are taken directly from the linked bunq account. There is no credit line or overdraft, so you can only spend money you already have.

Why it may suit newcomers

• No traditional revolving credit balance
• Spending is backed by money in your account
• Accepted as a credit card by many merchants
• Digital card options are available
• Useful for people who want to avoid debt
• Available through an app-based account

bunq currently offers several personal plans:

• bunq Free: €0 per month
• bunq Core: €3.99 per month
• bunq Pro: €9.99 per month
• bunq Elite: €18.99 per month

Card availability and the number of included physical or digital cards depend on the selected plan.

Eligible university students aged 25 or younger in the Netherlands may receive bunq Pro without a monthly subscription fee after providing valid proof of enrolment. Current eligibility and card costs should be checked in the app before applying.

Important limitation

The bunq Credit Card is not a conventional secured credit card. Your account balance is used directly for payments, and you are not borrowing against a separate security deposit.

Best for: Newcomers who need credit-card acceptance without borrowing money.

2. ABN AMRO Student Credit Card: Best for Students With Part-Time Income

The ABN AMRO Student Credit Card may be an option for students who receive regular employment income.

Its current income rules state:

• Below €500 net per month: not eligible
• Between €500 and €1,150 net per month: €500 spending limit
• Above €1,150 net per month: possible limit between €500 and €2,500

The bank states that income from a job or part-time job can count. Housing allowance, healthcare allowance and DUO student-finance income do not count toward the listed income requirement.

Main advantages

• Lower income threshold than many standard credit cards
• Small starting limit for controlled spending
• Suitable for paid student workers
• Monthly repayment rather than direct payment per transaction
• Purchase-related benefits may be included

Main restrictions

The card requires an ABN AMRO Student Package and currently lists a Dutch identity document among its conditions. This can make it unavailable to many international newcomers who only possess a foreign passport or temporary residence permit.

Best for: Eligible students with a Dutch identity document and at least €500 in qualifying monthly income.

3. RaboCard: Best for Young Newcomers With Stable Income

Rabobank allows applicants aged 18 or older to apply for a credit card when they hold an eligible payment package and receive sufficient income into the linked account. The bank also conducts a credit assessment.

For RaboCard applications, Rabobank reviews the income deposited during the previous three months. Current published requirements include:

• At least €500 monthly income for Rabo Free customers
• Higher income requirements for certain other payment packages
• A check of information held by the Dutch Credit Registration Office, or BKR

Advantages

• Relatively accessible income requirement for Rabo Free customers
• Available from age 18
• Suitable for newcomers with a paid job
• Can be used in the Netherlands and abroad
• Provides purchase protection

Disadvantages

• It is not secured by a cash deposit
• Three months of qualifying income may be required
• Approval depends on the affordability and BKR checks
• You need an eligible Rabobank payment account

Best for: Newcomers aged 18 to 25 who receive at least €500 per month and have built several months of banking activity.

4. ABN AMRO Standard Credit Card: Best for Employed Newcomers

Newcomers with a full-time salary may qualify for a standard ABN AMRO Credit Card.

Current eligibility information states that an applicant generally needs:

• At least €1,350 in net monthly income, or
• At least €27,500 in qualifying freely taxable assets during the previous two years

The bank also applies identification, residence and affordability requirements.

This is not a secured credit card, but the assets-based route may be relevant to newcomers who have substantial savings but limited Dutch employment history.

Best for: Employed newcomers or applicants with qualifying taxable assets.

Debit Card Alternatives When You Cannot Qualify

Revolut Debit Card

Revolut currently states that it does not offer personal credit cards, loans or overdrafts to residents of the Netherlands. Its Dutch cards are debit cards funded from the customer’s available balance.

A Revolut card can still be useful for:

• Online shopping
• Everyday spending
• Currency conversion
• Travel payments
• Virtual-card transactions

It may not work when a merchant specifically insists on a credit card for a deposit or pre-authorisation.

N26 Mastercard Debit

N26 provides Mastercard debit cards rather than credit cards. Its Standard account includes a virtual debit Mastercard, while a physical card can be ordered for a one-time delivery fee.

It can be a practical option for everyday and online payments but should not be presented as a secured credit card.

How to Choose the Right Card

Before opening an account, compare:

1. Card type: Is it credit, debit, prepaid or balance-funded?
2. Income requirement: Does salary need to be deposited monthly?
3. Identity rules: Are foreign passports and residence permits accepted?
4. Monthly cost: Is the card free or included only with a paid account?
5. Hotel and rental acceptance: Will merchants recognise it as a credit card?
6. Foreign-currency fees: How much will non-euro payments cost?
7. Credit check: Will the issuer check BKR records?
8. Repayment method: Is the balance collected monthly or immediately?
9. Deposit rules: Is any blocked cash genuinely refundable?
10. Purchase protection: Are eligible purchases insured?

Do These Cards Build Credit History?

The Netherlands does not generally use positive credit-building in the same way as the United States.

A balance-funded or debit card does not normally establish a record of successfully borrowing and repaying money. BKR primarily records qualifying credit agreements and payment problems rather than giving consumers a universal score that rises whenever a card is used responsibly.

Therefore, do not pay for an expensive card solely because a provider claims it can help you “build credit” without clearly explaining how Dutch credit registration works.

Final Verdict

There are few genuine secured credit cards for newcomers in the Netherlands. The best practical alternative is the bunq Credit Card because merchants can recognise it as a Mastercard Credit Card while payments are limited to money already held in your account.

Students with stable part-time income can also consider the ABN AMRO Student Credit Card or RaboCard, provided they meet the identification, account-history and income requirements.

Before applying, confirm whether you need actual borrowing, credit-card merchant acceptance or simply a Visa or Mastercard for online payments. Choosing the correct card type can prevent unnecessary fees and rejected applications.

Official Sources

• bunq — Credit Card features and funding method
• bunq — Personal account plans and prices
• ABN AMRO — Student Credit Card requirements
• ABN AMRO — Standard Credit Card eligibility
• Rabobank — Applying for a credit card
• Rabobank — RaboCard requirements
• Revolut Netherlands — Availability of credit products
• N26 — Debit and credit card differences