How to Get Your First Credit Card in the Netherlands as an International Student

How to Get Your First Credit Card in the Netherlands as an International Student

Getting your first credit card in the Netherlands can make it easier to book hotels, reserve rental cars, pay for international subscriptions and shop on websites that do not accept Dutch debit cards.

However, international students often face stricter eligibility checks than Dutch students. Your application may depend on your age, Dutch address, identity document, residence status, monthly income and the type of bank account you hold.

This guide explains how to get your first credit card in the Netherlands as an international student, including the application steps, required documents and alternatives if you are not immediately eligible.

Can an International Student Get a Dutch Credit Card?

Yes, but approval is not guaranteed.

Dutch banks and card issuers generally assess whether you:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Live at an official address in the Netherlands
• Have an accepted identification document
• Hold a Dutch current account
• Receive sufficient regular income
• Can afford the requested credit limit
• Pass the provider’s credit assessment

The Netherlands does not use the same numerical credit-score system found in countries such as the United States. Instead, banks assess your income, expenses and payment history. Certain credit commitments or payment problems may be recorded with the Dutch Credit Registration Office, commonly known as BKR.

Step 1: Register Your Address and Obtain a BSN

Before applying for financial products, register with the municipality where you live.

After registration in the Personal Records Database, or BRP, you are automatically assigned a Burgerservicenummer, known as a BSN. The BSN is a unique personal number used when dealing with Dutch government organisations and many financial institutions.

You will commonly need:

• Your passport
• Proof of your Dutch address
• Rental or housing documents
• Residence documents, when applicable
• University enrolment information

Complete this step early because banks may request your BSN when opening an account or verifying your identity.

Step 2: Open a Dutch Student Bank Account

Most bank-issued credit cards must be connected to a current account with the same bank.

For example, ABN AMRO allows eligible applicants to open an account online when they:

• Are at least 18
• Have an official Dutch home address
• Have an accepted Dutch identification document, residence permit or international passport
• Have a BSN
• Provide the required tax-residency information

International students should compare student bank accounts based on:

• Monthly account fees
• Debit-card costs
• International transfer fees
• Foreign-currency charges
• Credit-card eligibility
• English-language customer service
• Mobile banking features

Do not choose an account only because it is advertised as a student package. Check whether the linked credit card is actually available to holders of your nationality and residence document.

Step 3: Receive Regular Income in Your Account

Income is usually the biggest obstacle when applying for a student credit card in the Netherlands.

ABN AMRO currently states that its Student Credit Card is intended for students with an ABN AMRO Student Package, at least €500 in monthly income and a Dutch identity document.

Its Dutch-language eligibility information explains that:

• Net income between €500 and €1,150 may qualify for a €500 spending limit.
• Net income above €1,150 may qualify for a limit between €500 and €2,500.
• Income from a job or part-time job may count.
• Housing allowance, healthcare allowance and DUO income do not count toward the stated income assessment.

Rabobank also currently requires qualifying income for its RaboCard. Its published 2026 requirements list:

• €500 per month for customers using Rabo Free
• €1,000 per month for customers using the Rabo BasisPakket
• Sufficient income deposits during the previous three months
• A credit check that includes BKR information

A paid part-time job or internship can therefore improve your approval chances, especially when the salary is deposited directly into the account linked to your application.

Step 4: Check Whether Your ID Is Accepted

This is where many international students encounter problems.

A bank may accept your international passport or residence permit when opening a current account but require a different document for its credit card.

For example, ABN AMRO’s current Student Credit Card conditions require applicants to possess a Dutch identity document. Its international-student guidance also warns that a Dutch passport is required for that particular student card.

Before applying, ask the provider whether it accepts your:

• Non-EU passport
• EU or EEA identity card
• Dutch residence permit
• Temporary study residence permit
• Dutch identity document

Do not submit the application until you have confirmed the identification and residency rules.

Step 5: Compare the Total Credit Card Cost

A card with a low monthly fee is not always the cheapest option.

Compare:

• Monthly or annual card fee
• Foreign-currency transaction fee
• Cash-withdrawal fee
• Replacement-card fee
• Late-payment charges
• Purchase protection
• Travel insurance
• Spending limit
• Exchange rate used for non-euro payments

Students who mainly need a card for travel should pay particular attention to foreign-exchange fees and travel coverage. Students who use it for subscriptions or occasional online purchases may benefit more from a basic, low-fee card.

Step 6: Prepare Your Documents

The provider may ask for some or all of the following:

1. Valid passport or identity document
2. Dutch residence permit
3. BSN
4. Proof of your Dutch address
5. Dutch bank-account details
6. University enrolment certificate
7. Employment or internship contract
8. Recent payslips
9. Recent bank statements
10. Details of rent, loans and monthly expenses

Requirements vary, so check the application page before uploading documents.

Step 7: Apply for a Low Credit Limit

A modest limit is usually more suitable for a first student credit card.

A lower limit can:

• Reduce the risk of overspending
• Make monthly repayment easier
• Match a limited part-time income
• Improve your ability to manage unexpected expenses
• Limit the financial impact of fraud

The issuer will still decide whether the limit is affordable. Meeting the minimum income requirement does not automatically guarantee approval.

Step 8: Repay the Full Balance on Time

Dutch credit cards commonly collect the outstanding balance from the linked current account each month.

Before the collection date:

• Check the amount due.
• Keep enough money in your bank account.
• Review unfamiliar transactions.
• Avoid spending the money reserved for repayment.
• Contact the issuer immediately if you cannot pay.

Late or missed payments can lead to extra charges, account restrictions or negative credit-registration consequences.

What If Your Application Is Rejected?

First, ask whether the rejection resulted from:

• Insufficient monthly income
• An unsupported identity document
• A temporary residence status
• Limited account history
• Existing financial commitments
• An unsuccessful affordability check

Avoid immediately submitting several new credit applications.

Instead, consider:

• Waiting until you have three months of stable salary deposits
• Applying for a lower limit
• Comparing another Dutch bank
• Using a Mastercard or Visa debit card
• Using a prepaid card
• Keeping a credit card from your home country

A debit or prepaid card may work for most online purchases, although some hotels and car-rental companies specifically require a physical credit card.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

International students should avoid:

• Applying before obtaining a BSN
• Assuming every student card accepts international passports
• Counting scholarships or allowances as qualifying salary without confirmation
• Requesting an unnecessarily high spending limit
• Ignoring foreign-currency fees
• Using a credit card to cover regular living expenses
• Missing the monthly repayment date
• Applying to several providers within a short period

Final Checklist

Before applying for your first Dutch credit card, confirm that you have:

• Reached the minimum age
• Registered at a Dutch address
• Obtained your BSN
• Opened a Dutch current account
• Received regular qualifying income
• Built several months of account activity
• Prepared payslips and identity documents
• Checked residence-permit restrictions
• Compared annual and international-payment fees
• Chosen an affordable spending limit

Final Verdict

The best way to get your first credit card in the Netherlands as an international student is to complete your municipal registration, open a Dutch bank account and establish a record of regular income before applying.

The hardest requirement may not be the income threshold. Some student credit cards require a Dutch identity document, even when the associated bank account accepts an international passport or residence permit.

Always verify the latest eligibility conditions directly with the provider. When a traditional credit card is unavailable, a Visa or Mastercard debit card can provide a practical temporary alternative.