Best Credit Cards for International Students in Norway 2026
The best credit cards for international students in Norway in 2026 offer no annual fee, travel insurance, rewards and manageable eligibility requirements. However, Norwegian banks do not generally provide guaranteed credit cards specifically for foreign students.
New international students usually need a Norwegian identification number, BankID, registered residence and documentable income before they have a realistic chance of approval. The best option depends on whether you prioritise easy account management, travel benefits, cashback or shopping discounts.
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Best Credit Cards for International Students in Norway
Our leading choices are:
- SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung: Best starter card for younger students.
- Bank Norwegian Credit Card: Best for cashback and travel rewards.
- DNB Mastercard: Best for students already banking with DNB.
- TF Bank Mastercard: Best for international purchases.
- Morrow Bank Credit Card: Best for insurance and purchase protection.
These are unsecured credit cards. Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee approval because each provider performs a credit assessment.
1. SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung — Best Starter Credit Card
SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung is one of the most student-friendly credit cards because it is designed for younger applicants.
Depending on the regional SpareBank 1 bank, it is generally marketed to customers aged approximately 18–33 or 18–34.
Current features include:
- No annual card fee at participating SpareBank 1 banks.
- No fee for ordinary purchases.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- Travel insurance under the applicable conditions.
- A 20% discount on selected streaming subscriptions, capped at NOK 500 annually.
- A foreign-currency markup of approximately 2%.
Published price information shows a nominal interest rate of 21.62% and an effective rate of approximately 23.90% in the representative example.
Applicants generally need:
- A Norwegian national identity number.
- No registered payment remarks.
- Sufficient repayment capacity.
- Approval after a credit assessment.
Best for: Younger international students who have completed Norwegian registration and started earning local income.
2. Bank Norwegian Credit Card — Best for Cashback
Bank Norwegian offers one of the strongest rewards cards available without an annual fee.
Its main benefits include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- A credit limit determined individually.
- Supplementary travel and cancellation insurance.
- A choice between cashback and Norwegian CashPoints.
- Support for major mobile-payment services.
Cardholders can earn 0.5% cashback on eligible purchases and use it to reduce their card balance. Cash withdrawals, transfers, person-to-person payments and certain airline purchases do not qualify.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18.
- Have stable, documented income.
- Have no outstanding collection cases or payment remarks.
- Have total debt within the provider’s lending limits.
- Complete the application and credit check using BankID.
Bank Norwegian states that total debt must not exceed five times annual gross income.
Best for: Students with regular part-time or full-time income who want simple cashback or airline rewards.
3. DNB Mastercard — Best for DNB Customers
DNB Mastercard is a straightforward option for students already using DNB for their Norwegian bank account and salary deposits.
The card currently offers:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- No fee for ordinary purchases.
- Supplementary travel insurance.
- Mobile-payment compatibility.
- Selected fuel, charging and customer-programme discounts.
The travel insurance is activated when at least 50% of the qualifying trip costs are paid with the card. It can cover the cardholder’s household or up to three travelling companions, subject to the insurance terms.
DNB does not guarantee approval for students. Income, expenses, existing debt and the requested credit limit will influence the decision.
Best for: International students whose salary and daily banking are already handled by DNB.
4. TF Bank Mastercard — Best for International Purchases
TF Bank Mastercard is marketed as a card without an annual fee or ordinary purchase fees.
Current features include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 43 interest-free days.
- Fee-free ordinary card purchases in Norway and abroad.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Identity-theft insurance.
- Discounts of up to 30% through its benefits programme.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay support.
Travel insurance is included when at least 50% of the trip’s transportation costs are paid with the card. Published coverage includes illness, repatriation, delayed baggage and rental-car excess, subject to the full policy.
An important limitation for students is that TF Bank currently states that the minimum credit limit available for application is NOK 30,000. That may be higher than a beginner needs.
The representative example shows an effective interest rate of 26.69% when a balance is carried.
Best for: Students with sufficient income who frequently shop or travel internationally and can manage a relatively large minimum limit responsibly.
5. Morrow Bank Credit Card — Best for Insurance Benefits
Morrow Bank offers a no-annual-fee Mastercard with:
- Up to 50 interest-free days.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Purchase insurance.
- Identity-theft protection.
- No fee for ordinary card purchases.
- A credit limit of up to NOK 100,000, depending on approval.
Travel insurance applies when at least 50% of the qualifying trip is paid with the card.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 20.
- Be registered as residents in Norway.
- Have no active payment remarks.
- Sign with BankID.
- Pass a credit assessment.
Morrow Bank stopped awarding new bonus points on May 1, 2026. Existing points remain available, but new applicants should choose the card for its insurance and fee structure rather than expecting cashback rewards.
Best for: Students aged 20 or older who value insurance more than rewards.
Credit Card Requirements for International Students
Most applicants will need:
- A Norwegian national identity number or accepted identification.
- Registered Norwegian residence.
- BankID.
- Regular and documentable income.
- No payment remarks or unresolved collection cases.
- Manageable existing debt and credit limits.
- Enough income remaining after rent and normal living expenses.
Students with permits lasting more than nine months are generally registered as residents and receive a Norwegian national identity number. A Norwegian identification number is normally needed to open a bank account.
Finance Norway explains that basic banking services may be available to newcomers, while additional products such as BankID, loans and credit cards are offered only after the bank completes a risk-based assessment.
Which Card Should You Choose?
Choose SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung when you want a youth-oriented first card with no annual fee.
Choose Bank Norwegian when cashback or CashPoints are your priority.
Choose DNB Mastercard when DNB already handles your salary and everyday account.
Choose TF Bank Mastercard when you make frequent international purchases and can safely manage its minimum available credit limit.
Choose Morrow Bank when travel, purchase and identity-theft insurance matter more than rewards.
How to Increase Your Approval Chances
Before applying:
- Complete your Norwegian population registration.
- Open a Norwegian bank account.
- Obtain BankID.
- Receive salary into your Norwegian account.
- Wait until your income can be documented.
- Pay every invoice on time.
- Close unnecessary credit facilities.
- Apply through your main bank first.
- Request the lowest practical credit limit.
- Avoid applying to several providers at once.
Norwegian banks must reject applications when the credit assessment indicates that the applicant is unlikely to meet the repayment agreement.
Final Verdict
SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung is the most relevant starter option for younger international students who meet their local bank’s age and credit requirements.
Bank Norwegian is the best overall rewards card because it combines no annual fee, 0.5% cashback or CashPoints and travel insurance. DNB Mastercard is a practical alternative for existing DNB customers, while TF Bank and Morrow Bank offer stronger insurance and international-use benefits.
Newly arrived students without regular Norwegian income should begin with a debit card. A credit card becomes worthwhile only when the full monthly invoice can be paid before interest is charged.
Official Sources
- Norwegian Tax Administration – International Students
- Finance Norway – Opening a Bank Account in Norway
- SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung
- Bank Norwegian Credit Card
- Bank Norwegian Application Requirements
- DNB Mastercard
- TF Bank Mastercard
- Morrow Bank Credit Card
- Norwegian Debt Register
