Best Secured Credit Cards for Newcomers in Italy
Best Secured Credit Cards for Newcomers in Italy: Realistic Options and Alternatives
Newcomers often search for the best secured credit cards in Italy because they have no Italian credit history, permanent job or regular payslips. However, the Italian market works differently from the United States and Canada.
A traditional secured credit card—where the applicant pays a refundable cash deposit that normally determines the credit limit—is not widely advertised by major Italian retail banks. The mainstream products currently promoted by UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo and Poste Italiane are conventional credit cards, debit cards or prepaid cards rather than standard deposit-backed credit cards. This conclusion is based on their current public product ranges and should not be taken to mean that no bank can arrange collateral privately.
For most newcomers, the realistic strategy is to begin with a prepaid or debit card, establish stable banking activity and later apply for a low-limit credit card.
What Is a Secured Credit Card?
A secured credit card normally requires you to place money in a blocked savings account or deposit. The deposit protects the issuer if you do not repay the card balance.
For example, a €1,000 deposit might support a credit limit close to €1,000. You still receive a monthly bill and must repay your spending, while the deposit remains unavailable until the card is closed or upgraded.
This differs from:
- Debit cards: Spending is deducted immediately from your bank account.
- Prepaid cards: You first load money onto the card and then spend that balance.
- Traditional credit cards: The issuer provides a credit limit after assessing your repayment ability.
Banca d’Italia explains that debit cards use money already available in the linked account, whereas credit cards allow purchases to be charged and collected later.
Are Secured Credit Cards Available in Italy?
Major Italian banks do not currently promote a clearly labelled, mass-market “secured credit card” comparable to products commonly offered to newcomers in North America.
A bank may sometimes consider granting credit against:
- A blocked cash deposit.
- Savings held with the bank.
- A financial guarantee.
- A guarantor with acceptable income.
- A long-standing account relationship.
These arrangements are normally handled individually and may not appear on public product pages. Approval remains at the bank’s discretion.
When visiting a branch, ask whether the bank offers a:
Carta di credito garantita da depositoCarta con somma vincolataCarta assistita da garanzia- Low-limit card backed by savings
Do not describe a prepaid card as a secured credit card. A prepaid card does not normally provide borrowed money or create a monthly credit balance.
Best Alternatives to Secured Credit Cards in Italy
1. Postepay Evolution — Best Prepaid Alternative With an IBAN
Postepay Evolution is a prepaid card rather than a credit card, but it is one of the most practical alternatives for newcomers who cannot pass a credit assessment.
The card includes an Italian IBAN and allows customers to:
- Receive salary or pension payments.
- Send and receive bank transfers.
- Pay bills.
- Make online and contactless purchases.
- Use Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Its advertised annual fee is €19 as of July 2026.
Why it suits newcomers
Because spending is limited to money loaded onto the card, the issuer does not extend a conventional revolving credit line. This can make it more accessible than a true credit card.
Main limitation
It may not work where a merchant requires a real credit card for a security deposit, particularly some hotels and car-rental companies.
Best for: Everyday payments, receiving transfers and managing expenses without borrowing.
2. Intesa Sanpaolo XME Debit Card — Best Bank-Account Alternative
The XME Debit Card can be used for purchases in Italy and abroad, online payments and ATM withdrawals. Intesa Sanpaolo states that adult applicants need an Italian codice fiscale and a current account with the bank.
Unlike a credit card, transactions are taken from the available account balance. This means the card does not require the same type of unsecured-credit approval.
Why it suits newcomers
- Connected to a full Italian current account.
- Usable internationally through Visa or Mastercard, depending on the issued card.
- Suitable for online and contactless payments.
- Helps establish regular banking activity.
Main limitation
It does not provide a credit limit and may not satisfy merchants that insist on a credit card.
Best for: New residents who want a conventional Italian bank account and international debit card.
3. Italian Basic Account — Best Starting Point for New Residents
People legally resident in the European Union can generally request access to a basic payment account, subject to identity and anti-money-laundering checks.
The Italian basic account includes essential services such as:
- Receiving transfers.
- Making payments.
- Receiving salary or other funds.
- Using a debit card.
- Withdrawing money from ATMs.
It does not normally include an overdraft, cheque book or credit facility.
Why it suits newcomers
A basic account can provide a route into the Italian banking system when a newcomer only needs essential services and cannot qualify for credit.
Best for: New residents who need an account for salary, scholarships, rent and routine payments.
4. UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani — Best First Conventional Credit Card for Under-30s
UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani is not secured by a deposit. It is a conventional credit card designed for UniCredit account holders under 30.
As of July 2026, UniCredit advertises:
- An annual fee of €27.
- An issuance fee of €10.
- A potential spending limit of up to €5,000.
- Balance or instalment repayment options.
The maximum advertised limit does not mean every applicant receives €5,000. Approval and the actual limit depend on the bank’s assessment.
Why it may suit established newcomers
It may become an option after you have:
- Opened a UniCredit current account.
- Received regular salary or scholarship payments.
- Maintained stable account activity.
- Obtained valid Italian residence documents.
Main limitation
It is a genuine credit product, so newcomers without income or banking history may still be rejected.
Best for: Account holders under 30 with verifiable income or regular funding.
5. Intesa Sanpaolo XME Credit Card — Best Low-Limit Traditional Option to Discuss With Your Bank
The XME Credit Card is another conventional rather than secured credit card. Intesa Sanpaolo advertises a spending limit of up to €3,000, with purchases charged during the following month.
A newcomer already using an Intesa account may ask whether the bank can:
- Issue a lower initial limit.
- Consider scholarship or employment income.
- Reassess the application after several months.
- Accept savings as supporting evidence.
- Offer another card suited to the applicant’s profile.
Approval is not guaranteed, and the bank may request additional financial documents.
Best for: Existing Intesa customers with stable account activity who want to move from debit to credit.
Comparison of the Best Options
Choose Postepay Evolution when:
- You cannot prove regular income.
- You need an IBAN and payment card quickly.
- You mainly need transfers, bills and online purchases.
Choose a debit card when:
- You want a full Italian bank account.
- You do not need to borrow money.
- You want to build a relationship with a bank.
Ask about a deposit-backed arrangement when:
- You have savings that can be blocked.
- You specifically need a true credit card.
- You require a card for hotel or car-rental deposits.
- A branch adviser is willing to review your case individually.
Apply for a conventional credit card when:
- You have regular employment or scholarship income.
- Your residence documentation is complete.
- You have maintained the bank account responsibly.
- You can repay the full monthly balance.
Documents Newcomers Should Prepare
A bank may request:
- Valid passport or recognised identity document.
- Italian codice fiscale.
- Residence permit for non-EU citizens.
- Proof of Italian address.
- Current-account details.
- Employment contract or scholarship confirmation.
- Recent payslips.
- Bank statements.
- University enrolment certificate.
- Evidence of savings when requesting a guaranteed arrangement.
Having a cash deposit does not remove identity, residence or affordability checks.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
- Open an Italian bank account before requesting credit.
- Receive your salary or scholarship in that account.
- Maintain regular deposits for several months.
- Avoid failed payments and unauthorised overdrafts.
- Request a modest credit limit.
- Apply through your existing bank.
- Bring original documents to a branch.
- Ask for full-balance monthly repayment rather than revolving credit.
- Avoid submitting several applications at once.
Watch Out for Revolving Credit
Some Italian cards allow the balance to be repaid in instalments. This is revolving consumer credit and can carry interest and additional charges.
Banca d’Italia recommends reviewing the annual percentage rate and total borrowing cost before signing a revolving-credit agreement.
For a first card, paying the entire statement balance each month is generally simpler and less expensive than carrying revolving debt.
Final Verdict
There is no clear nationwide list of traditional secured credit cards for newcomers in Italy because major Italian banks do not widely advertise deposit-backed consumer cards as standard retail products.
The most realistic alternatives are:
- Postepay Evolution for a prepaid card with an IBAN.
- An Italian basic account or debit card for essential banking.
- UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani for eligible under-30 account holders.
- Intesa XME Credit Card for customers who have established sufficient income and banking activity.
A newcomer who specifically needs a secured credit card should visit a bank branch and ask whether a low-limit credit card can be supported by a blocked deposit or another guarantee.
Official Sources
- Banca d’Italia – Credit Cards
- Banca d’Italia – Debit Cards
- Banca d’Italia – Basic Bank Account
- Poste Italiane – Postepay Evolution
- UniCredit – Flexia Giovani
- Intesa Sanpaolo – XME Debit Card
- Intesa Sanpaolo – XME Credit Card
