Best Credit Cards for International Students in the Netherlands 2026

1 day ago

0 578 6 minutes read

table of contents

Best Credit Cards for International Students in the Netherlands

Choosing a credit card in the Netherlands can be challenging for an international student. Some cards require a Dutch identity document, a minimum monthly salary and a credit check, while easier alternatives only allow you to spend money already held in your account.

The best credit cards for international students in the Netherlands in 2026 depend on whether you need actual short-term credit, low-cost travel payments, purchase insurance or simply a Mastercard for online bookings.

This guide compares the most practical options available as of July 2026.

Best Student Credit Cards in the Netherlands at a Glance

The strongest options are:

bunq Credit Card: Best overall for newly arrived international students
ABN AMRO Student Credit Card: Best low-cost traditional student card
RaboCard: Best traditional Mastercard for students with part-time income
Flying Blue American Express Entry Card: Best for students who travel frequently
ABN AMRO Standard Credit Card: Best for higher-income students

Not every card is available to every international student. Approval can depend on your income, age, Dutch address, identity document and residence status.

1. bunq Credit Card: Best Overall for International Students

The bunq Credit Card is one of the most accessible options for students who have recently arrived in the Netherlands.

Unlike a traditional credit card, it does not include a borrowing facility or overdraft. Payments are funded using money already held in your bunq account. Merchants still see the card as a Mastercard Credit Card, which can be useful for hotel reservations, online bookings and deposits.

Main advantages

No traditional revolving credit balance
No risk of spending borrowed money
Mastercard Credit Card recognition
Digital and physical cards, depending on the plan
Apple Pay and Google Pay support
Fully digital application
Suitable for online and international payments

Eligible university students aged 25 or younger in the Netherlands can currently receive bunq Pro without a monthly subscription fee after providing valid proof of enrolment. The standard bunq Pro price is €9.99 per month when the student discount no longer applies.

bunq also applies a 0.5% markup to eligible foreign-currency card payments through ZeroFX. Pro users receive unlimited eligible foreign-currency payments under the published plan conditions.

Main disadvantage

The card does not provide emergency borrowing. A hotel or rental company can also temporarily block part of your available account balance when taking a security deposit.

Best for: Newly arrived students who need Mastercard Credit Card acceptance without meeting a traditional income requirement.

2. ABN AMRO Student Credit Card: Best Low-Cost Traditional Card

The ABN AMRO Student Credit Card is a genuine credit card with a monthly bill. It costs €14 per year when combined with the bank’s free Student Package.

The card includes:

A spending limit based on income
Worldwide Mastercard payments
180-day protection for eligible purchases
Flight-delay insurance
Delayed-luggage insurance
Delivery protection
Card management through the bank and ICS platforms

Income and spending limits

Current published rules state:

Below €500 net monthly income: not eligible
Between €500 and €1,150: €500 spending limit
Above €1,150: possible limit between €500 and €2,500

Every application is assessed individually, and International Card Services may check the applicant’s information with the Dutch Credit Registration Office, or BKR.

Important restriction

Applicants must have an ABN AMRO Student Package, receive at least €500 per month and possess a Dutch identity document. This requirement may exclude international students who only hold a foreign passport or temporary Dutch residence permit.

Best for: Eligible students with a Dutch identity document and stable part-time income.

3. RaboCard: Best Traditional Mastercard With Part-Time Income

The RaboCard is another traditional credit card. Purchases are advanced by Rabobank and the total monthly balance is later collected from the linked payment account.

With the Rabo Student Package, the first RaboCard costs €1.25 per month, equivalent to €15 per year. It has a standard €1,000 spending limit, which can be increased after an assessment.

Main benefits

Traditional monthly billing
Mastercard acceptance
Standard €1,000 monthly limit
Up to 180 days of protection for eligible purchases
Coverage for certain flight and luggage delays
Apple Pay and contactless payments
App-based spending management

Costs to consider

Euro payments do not carry an additional card-payment fee. Foreign-currency transactions have a 2% exchange-rate surcharge, while cash withdrawals cost €4.50. A currency surcharge is also added when withdrawing foreign currency.

Income requirements and a credit assessment apply, so students may need to demonstrate stable salary deposits before approval.

Best for: Students with regular part-time income who want an affordable traditional Mastercard.

4. Flying Blue American Express Entry Card: Best for Travel Rewards

The Flying Blue American Express Entry Card is aimed at people who want to earn Flying Blue Miles on everyday spending.

Current card benefits include:

First year without a card fee
€3 monthly fee after the first year
One Flying Blue Mile for every €2 spent
1,000 welcome Miles
Two supplementary cards
Travel-accident protection under the policy conditions
The ability to pay eligible KLM or Air France tickets in three interest-free instalments

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must generally:

Be at least 18
Have a Dutch residential address
Have no negative BKR registration
Earn at least €20,000 gross annually
Complete identity and bank-account verification

The card may be more realistic for doctoral students, paid interns or students working substantial part-time hours.

American Express can also be less widely accepted than Mastercard, so it should not necessarily be your only payment card.

Best for: Students who regularly fly with KLM, Air France or other Flying Blue partners.

5. ABN AMRO Standard Credit Card: Best for Higher-Income Students

Students who do not qualify for the specialist student card may consider the standard ABN AMRO Credit Card.

Applicants must generally:

Be at least 18
Live in the Netherlands
Earn at least €1,350 net per month, or
Hold at least €27,500 in qualifying taxable assets during the previous two years

ABN AMRO currently states that applicants with temporary residence permits cannot apply for its standard credit cards.

This option is therefore mainly suitable for students with substantial employment income or eligible assets rather than newly arrived students relying only on savings or family transfers.

Best for: Higher-income students with an accepted residence status.

Which Credit Card Is Easiest to Get?

The easiest option depends on what you consider a credit card:

Easiest without stable income: bunq Credit Card
Easiest traditional student card: ABN AMRO Student Credit Card, when you meet the identity requirement
Best with part-time employment: RaboCard
Best with €20,000 annual income: Flying Blue Entry Card
Best with at least €1,350 net monthly income: ABN AMRO Standard Credit Card

The bunq card is easier because it uses your own money. It should not be confused with a traditional card that allows you to borrow and repay later.

How to Choose the Best Student Credit Card

Compare the following before applying:

Card type: Traditional credit or balance-funded card
Total annual cost: Include both account and card fees
Minimum income: Check whether part-time salary qualifies
Identity requirements: Confirm that your passport or residence document is accepted
Foreign-currency fees: Important when travelling outside the eurozone
Purchase protection: Review exclusions and coverage periods
Merchant acceptance: Mastercard is generally more practical than American Express
Spending limit: A modest limit is usually safer for a first card
Repayment date: Make sure enough money remains in your account
Introductory offers: Check what the card costs after the first year

Can You Get a Credit Card Without Dutch Credit History?

A lack of previous Dutch borrowing history does not automatically prevent approval. However, traditional issuers may still review your income, expenses and BKR information before deciding whether the requested limit is affordable.

Students who cannot pass these checks can begin with a balance-funded Mastercard or a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

Final Verdict

The best credit card for most newly arrived international students in the Netherlands in 2026 is the bunq Credit Card. It offers Mastercard Credit Card recognition without requiring students to borrow money, and eligible students aged 25 or younger may receive bunq Pro for free.

For students who want actual monthly credit, the RaboCard provides a practical combination of low fees, Mastercard acceptance and purchase protection. The ABN AMRO Student Credit Card is slightly cheaper annually but requires a Dutch identity document.

Frequent travellers who meet the €20,000 income requirement can consider the Flying Blue American Express Entry Card, while higher-income students may qualify for a standard ABN AMRO card.

Best Credit Cards for International Students in the Netherlands 2026

Best Student Credit Cards in the Netherlands at a Glance