Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in Sweden

Finding the best credit cards for international students with no income in Sweden can be challenging. Most Swedish credit card providers require applicants to demonstrate that they can repay the borrowed money, which usually means having a regular salary, taxable income, or another accepted source of funds.

International students without employment may still obtain a Swedish bank account and debit card. However, approval for a true credit card is unlikely until they have established a stable income in Sweden.

This guide explains which cards are realistic, which requirements may prevent approval, and how international students can improve their chances later.

Can an International Student Get a Credit Card Without Income in Sweden?

In most cases, an international student with no income will not qualify for a standard Swedish credit card.

A credit card is a form of borrowing. Swedish lenders must conduct a credit assessment to determine whether the applicant can repay the debt. The assessment may include income, existing debts, living expenses and previous payment problems.

Some card issuers publish clear minimum-income requirements:

• Re requires an annual income of at least SEK 150,000.
• Resurs Bank requires applicants to have permanent employment.
• Other banks may not publish a fixed minimum but still perform an individual credit assessment.

Therefore, having a Swedish personal identity number or BankID does not automatically make a student eligible for credit.

Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in Sweden

The following options are more realistic than applying repeatedly for Swedish credit cards.

1. Keep Your Existing Foreign Credit Card

For students studying in Sweden for a limited period, keeping a credit card issued in their home country may be the easiest option.

SEB specifically advises short-term international students that using their existing domestic bank account and card may be simpler, particularly for students from EU or EEA countries who can make SEPA transfers.

Before using a foreign credit card in Sweden, check:

• Foreign transaction fees.
• Currency conversion charges.
• International cash withdrawal fees.
• Whether the issuer requires continued residence in your home country.
• Whether online purchases in Swedish kronor are supported.

This option gives you access to actual credit without requiring Swedish income, provided your current issuer allows overseas use.

2. Nordea Student Debit Card

Nordea offers student banking services that include:

• A personal bank account.
• A debit card.
• Mobile and online banking.
• Swish and mobile wallet support.
• No monthly student-package fee.

However, Nordea’s published student offer generally requires the customer to study in a CSN-eligible programme and receive CSN student finance into a Nordea account. International students who do not receive CSN may need to open a regular banking package instead.

The card is a debit card, not a credit card. Purchases are deducted directly from the account balance.

3. SEB Student Debit Card

SEB provides a student package with a bank account and debit card without a package fee for eligible students.

The published offer requires CSN student finance to be deposited into the SEB account. Consequently, an international student funded through family support, savings or a foreign scholarship may not qualify for the free student package.

SEB also provides separate account-opening guidance for EU, EEA and non-EU citizens. Depending on the student’s circumstances, required documents can include:

• A valid passport.
• Swedish residence permit card.
• Swedish identity card.
• Swedish personal identity number, when available.

4. Swedbank Mastercard Debit Card

Swedbank’s Mastercard debit card can be used for:

• Purchases in Sweden.
• Online payments.
• ATM withdrawals.
• Purchases and withdrawals abroad.

The regular annual fee is SEK 300, while eligible university students receiving CSN deposits may receive the card without an annual fee. A foreign currency conversion surcharge applies when the card is used in another currency.

This is another practical alternative for students who need a Swedish payment card but cannot pass a credit assessment.

5. Handelsbanken Bankkort Mastercard

Handelsbanken Bankkort Mastercard is a debit card linked directly to a current account. It does not provide a credit limit, which makes it more realistic for students without employment.

Published features include:

• Mastercard acceptance.
• Online and international purchases.
• Supplementary travel insurance under the applicable conditions.
• An annual fee of approximately SEK 300.

Account and card approval remain subject to the bank’s customer-identification and account-opening procedures.

Credit Cards to Consider After You Start Earning

Once you obtain a part-time job or another accepted source of regular income, you may consider applying for a Swedish credit card.

Re Flex

Re Flex offers:

• No annual fee.
• Up to 56 interest-free days.
• Discounts with participating online retailers.
• Supplementary travel insurance.

Applicants must be at least 18, earn at least SEK 150,000 per year, and have no payment remarks. Approval and the final credit limit are based on an individual assessment.

Resurs Classic

Resurs Classic has no annual fee and may be suitable for applicants wanting a basic credit card.

However, Resurs states that applicants must:

• Be at least 18.
• Have permanent employment.
• Be registered as living in Sweden.
• Have no unpaid collection or Enforcement Authority debts.
• Have no payment remarks.

It is therefore not a suitable option for a full-time student with no job.

Credit Cards From Major Swedish Banks

SEB, Swedbank, Handelsbanken and Nordea offer different credit cards, but availability depends on the bank’s credit assessment.

Possible costs include:

• Annual card fees.
• Credit interest.
• Foreign exchange markups.
• Cash withdrawal fees.
• Late-payment charges.

Students should compare the annual percentage rate, interest-free period, travel insurance and foreign currency fees rather than choosing a card based only on rewards.

How to Improve Your Approval Chances

International students can take several practical steps before submitting a credit card application:

1. Open a Swedish bank account and use it for everyday payments.
2. Obtain a personal identity number and BankID when eligible.
3. Deposit salary or other regular income into the account.
4. Pay rent, phone bills and invoices on time.
5. Avoid sending multiple credit applications within a short period.
6. Apply for a low credit limit after establishing stable income.
7. Check the issuer’s minimum-income requirement before applying.

Repeated applications will not solve the absence of repayment capacity. Waiting until you have verifiable income is usually the better strategy.

What to Compare Before Choosing a Card

Whether you choose a Swedish debit card or later qualify for credit, compare:

• Annual or monthly fee.
• Foreign transaction fee.
• ATM withdrawal fee.
• Credit interest rate.
• Number of interest-free days.
• Travel insurance requirements.
• Mobile payment compatibility.
• Customer-service availability in English.

Students who travel frequently should pay particular attention to currency conversion fees and the percentage of the trip that must be paid with the card for travel insurance to apply.

Final Verdict

There are currently no mainstream Swedish credit cards specifically designed for international students with no income.

The most practical solutions are:

• Continue using a credit card from your home country.
• Open a Swedish bank account with a debit card.
• Use savings, scholarship funds or family transfers without borrowing.
• Apply for a Swedish credit card only after obtaining regular, verifiable income.

A debit card will not provide emergency credit, but it can cover almost all everyday payment needs in Sweden without creating interest charges or debt.

Official Sources

• Konsumenternas – Credit Assessments and Credit Reports
• Konsumenternas – Compare Debit and Credit Cards
• SEB – Information for International Students in Sweden
• Nordea – Free Banking Services for Students
• Swedbank – Mastercard Debit Card
• Handelsbanken – Debit and Credit Cards
• Re – Credit Card Requirements
• Resurs Bank – Credit Cards and Application Requirements