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

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Getting your first credit card in Denmark as an international student is possible, but you will normally need Danish identification, a local bank account, verifiable income and approval following an individual creditworthiness assessment.

Newly arrived students should not expect immediate approval. The most practical route is to obtain a CPR number, open a Danish bank account, receive salary or other accepted income through that account and then apply for a basic card from the bank that manages their everyday finances.

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Can International Students Get a Danish Credit Card?

International students can apply for Danish credit cards, but neither university enrolment nor a Danish bank account guarantees approval.

Danish lenders must make a concrete and individual assessment before granting consumer credit. The provider decides which financial documents are necessary based on factors such as the amount requested and the applicant’s financial circumstances.

The assessment may consider:

Monthly salary or other documented income.
Rent and fixed household expenses.
Existing loans and credit facilities.
Payment problems or RKI information.
The requested credit limit.
The amount remaining for ordinary living expenses.

Step 1: Obtain Your CPR Number

The CPR number is Denmark’s civil registration number. It is widely used for banking, employment, healthcare and public services.

Official Study in Denmark guidance advises international students to obtain a CPR number before opening a Danish bank account. Students are generally asked to bring their passport or accepted identity card and CPR card when visiting a bank.

A CPR number does not guarantee access to credit, but it allows the bank to identify you and process your application more efficiently.

Step 2: Open a Danish Bank Account

Open a current account before considering a credit card.

Use the account to:

Receive wages from a part-time job.
Pay rent and household bills.
Manage subscriptions and direct debits.
Demonstrate regular account activity.
Establish a relationship with the bank.

Study in Denmark recommends bringing enough money or a working foreign card for your first weeks because opening a Danish account may not happen immediately after arrival.

Documents commonly requested include:

Passport or national identity card.
CPR number.
Proof of Danish address.
Residence documentation.
University enrolment confirmation.
Information about the source of your money.
Employment contract when applicable.

Step 3: Get MitID

MitID is Denmark’s primary digital identification system. Banks commonly use it for online banking, applications and signing agreements.

Eligible foreign nationals may obtain MitID using a passport or compatible international identity card through the MitID app. Those unable to complete the digital process can seek assistance from Citizen Service.

You may need MitID to:

Log in to online banking.
Submit a credit card application.
Sign a credit agreement.
Confirm online transactions.
Provide access to requested financial information.

Step 4: Establish Verifiable Income

Regular income is one of the strongest factors in a Danish credit card application.

Useful evidence can include:

Employment contract.
Recent salary statements.
Salary deposits into your Danish account.
Danish tax information.
Scholarship documents when the bank agrees to consider them.

Savings and family transfers may show that you can support yourself, but the bank may not treat them as recurring repayment income.

Try to build several months of stable salary deposits before applying. A student with income can still be rejected when high rent and other expenses leave insufficient disposable income.

Step 5: Prepare a Realistic Monthly Budget

Calculate how much remains after paying:

Rent.
Electricity and utilities.
Food.
Transportation.
Insurance.
Telephone and internet.
Existing loans or instalments.
Other essential expenses.

The purpose is not simply to show that you receive money. You must demonstrate that enough money remains to repay the proposed credit.

Requesting an unnecessarily high limit can make the application less suitable for your budget.

Step 6: Check for RKI or Unpaid Debts

RKI is Experian Denmark’s register containing information about payment history and payment remarks. Businesses may use it when making credit decisions.

Before applying:

Pay overdue bills.
Resolve collection cases.
Check that your registered address is correct.
Dispute inaccurate invoices formally.
Avoid unpaid buy-now-pay-later purchases.

Having no previous Danish credit card is not necessarily a problem. An active negative payment record is much more serious.

Step 7: Choose a Realistic First Credit Card

Danske Bank Mastercard Basis

Mastercard Basis is one of the clearest student options.

It offers:

Up to approximately six weeks of interest-free credit.
Combined debit and credit functionality.
A credit facility normally starting at DKK 15,000.
Mobile-wallet compatibility.
Optional insurance benefits.

Danske Bank’s youth and student programme is available to customers aged 18–27 and students under 32. Qualifying customers can obtain accounts and cards without package fees. Mastercard Basis can have no annual card fee, but it explicitly requires credit approval.

Best for: Students under 32 who already use Danske Bank and can qualify for at least DKK 15,000 in credit.

Sydbank Mastercard Classic Credit

Eligible Sydbank Privat Ung customers can obtain Mastercard Classic Credit without travel insurance for DKK 0 per year. Sydbank states that its Mastercard range can provide up to 45 interest-free days and credit limits of up to DKK 40,000, subject to approval.

Best for: Younger customers who want a basic no-annual-fee credit card and do not require travel insurance.

Nordea Credit

Nordea Credit currently offers:

Up to DKK 30,000 in monthly credit.
Between 10 and 40 interest-free days.
Purchase insurance on qualifying electronics and appliances.
Ticket cancellation insurance under the stated conditions.
An annual fee of DKK 350.
A 0.5% markup on listed European currencies and 1.5% on other currencies.

Best for: Existing Nordea customers who value purchase insurance and relatively low European currency fees.

Step 8: Apply Through Your Main Bank

Your first application should normally be through the bank receiving your salary.

When applying:

Provide accurate income and expense information.
Submit requested salary and employment documents.
Choose a basic card rather than a premium product.
Avoid applying to several banks simultaneously.
Request only the credit you genuinely need.
Read the interest, withdrawal and currency-fee terms.

Approval is never guaranteed, even when you meet the bank’s published age and account conditions.

What to Do If Your Application Is Rejected

Do not immediately submit applications to several other providers.

Instead:

Ask whether documents were missing.
Review your income and monthly expenses.
Check for negative payment information.
Continue using a debit card.
Build a longer salary history.
Apply again only after your financial position improves.

A rejection may mean that the bank lacks enough evidence of repayment capacity rather than that you have a bad financial history.

How to Use Your First Card Safely

After approval:

Keep enough money in your account for the monthly payment.
Pay the complete balance by the deadline.
Avoid cash withdrawals.
Do not use credit to cover recurring shortages.
Review foreign-currency fees before travelling.
Check your transactions regularly.
Keep emergency savings separate from your credit limit.

Final Verdict

The best route to your first credit card in Denmark as an international student is to obtain a CPR number, open a Danish bank account, get MitID and establish documentable income before applying.

Danske Bank Mastercard Basis is one of the strongest student-oriented choices, although its usual minimum credit facility is DKK 15,000. Sydbank Mastercard Classic Credit may suit eligible younger customers seeking no annual fee, while Nordea Credit offers useful purchase protection for a higher yearly cost.

Students without regular income should begin with a debit card and wait until they can repay a credit card balance comfortably.