Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Italy
Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Italy
International students working part-time in Italy may have a better chance of obtaining a credit card than students with no regular income. A part-time employment contract and recurring salary deposits can help demonstrate repayment capacity, although approval is never guaranteed.
Italian banks normally assess the applicant’s residence, income, existing financial obligations and creditworthiness. Students may also need an Italian tax code, a local current account and recent payslips.
This guide compares the best credit cards for international students with part-time jobs in Italy, including fees, credit limits and application requirements.
Best Credit Cards for Working International Students in Italy
The most relevant options are:
- UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani: Best for students under 30.
- illimity Credit Card: Best low-limit digital option.
- Intesa Sanpaolo XME Credit Card: Best for branch and digital banking.
- BPER Carta Prime: Best balance-payment card, but with higher fees.
Each bank makes its own final credit decision. Receiving a part-time salary does not automatically qualify an applicant.
1. UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani: Best for Students Under 30
The UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani is specifically designed for UniCredit current-account holders under 30.
Its current features include:
- Annual fee of €27.
- Issuance cost of €10.
- Available credit limit of up to €5,000.
- Full balance repayment the following month.
- Optional instalment and revolving repayment.
- Contactless payments.
- Support for Apple Pay, Google Pay and other digital wallets.
The card is initially issued with full balance repayment, meaning the month’s purchases are normally charged in one payment during the following month. Students can later choose interest-bearing repayment options, but these should be used cautiously.
Best for: International students under 30 who already receive their part-time salary through a UniCredit account.
Main drawbacks:
- It is not free.
- The advertised maximum €5,000 limit is not guaranteed.
- Revolving and instalment repayment involves interest.
A student applying through UniCredit should prepare an identity document, Italian tax code and proof of income, such as payslips. UniCredit confirms that card approval depends on an assessment of the applicant’s ability to repay the amounts advanced.
2. illimity Credit Card: Best Low-Limit Digital Option
The standard illimity Credit Card is a practical option for students who prefer online banking and do not need a large credit limit.
Current features include:
- Monthly credit limit of €1,500, with possible increases.
- Annual card fee of €20 with the Classic or Smart account.
- No separate card fee with eligible Premium or Plus accounts.
- Google Pay and Apple Pay support.
- Real-time payment notifications.
- 3D Secure.
- App-based card suspension and security controls.
A €1,500 starting limit may be more appropriate for a student than the much larger limits offered by premium credit cards. The card remains subject to illimity’s assessment, and account approval does not guarantee that the credit facility will be granted.
Best for: Students with recurring part-time income who want a digital bank and a relatively modest standard limit.
Main drawbacks:
- The linked current account may have its own monthly fee.
- Cash advances can cost up to 4.80%, subject to minimum charges.
- A higher limit requires a separate assessment.
Students should compare the total cost of the account and card rather than looking only at the card’s annual fee.
3. Intesa Sanpaolo XME Credit Card: Best for Flexible Banking Access
The XME Credit Card from Intesa Sanpaolo is designed for everyday purchases in stores and online.
Its key features include:
- Monthly credit limit of up to €3,000.
- Purchases charged during the following month.
- Online application for existing customers.
- Immediate digital activation.
- Apple Pay, Google Pay and other wallet support.
- 3D Secure for online transactions.
- Purchase protection under the applicable insurance conditions.
Intesa Sanpaolo states that a person requesting a credit card generally needs to:
- Be at least 18.
- Reside in Italy.
- Hold an Italian tax code.
- Have a bank or postal current account for monthly repayments.
The bank may impose additional requirements based on income and its internal evaluation.
Best for: Students who want access to both digital banking and a large physical branch network.
Main drawbacks:
- Non-euro transactions currently carry a 2% currency-conversion commission, subject to a €0.50 minimum.
- Cash advances cost 4%, subject to a €2.50 minimum.
- The available credit limit depends on approval.
Students who travel outside the eurozone should compare these foreign-currency costs with specialist debit or travel cards.
4. BPER Carta Prime: Best for Full Balance Repayment
The BPER Carta Prime is a traditional credit card that requires the complete balance to be repaid the following month rather than automatically using revolving debt.
Its current features include:
- Monthly limit generally between €1,000 and €5,000.
- Full balance repayment.
- Online and international purchases.
- Apple Pay, Google Pay and other wallet support.
- Purchase and event-ticket insurance benefits.
- App-based spending and security controls.
However, Carta Prime is relatively expensive for students. The standard conditions currently list:
- €60 issuance cost.
- €60 annual fee from the second year.
- 1.50% fee on non-euro transactions.
A temporary offer reduces the fee to €36 for applications submitted by September 30, 2026, unless the promotion is changed or extended.
Best for: Students who value full balance repayment and already have a BPER account.
Main drawback: Its fees are significantly higher than those of most other entry-level options.
BPER requires applicants to be adults, have an Italian domicile, hold a BPER current account and provide proof of income such as a payslip. The final limit is based on repayment capacity and creditworthiness.
Can Part-Time Income Qualify You for a Credit Card?
A part-time salary can support an application, but Italian banks do not publish one universal minimum income for all students.
The bank may consider:
- Monthly net salary.
- Length and type of employment contract.
- Number of payslips available.
- Rent and living expenses.
- Existing loans or credit limits.
- Average current-account balance.
- Returned payments or overdrafts.
- Requested credit limit.
A permanent part-time contract may appear more stable than a short temporary agreement, but the bank evaluates the complete financial profile.
Documents International Students May Need
Prepare:
- Valid passport or identity document.
- Italian tax code, or codice fiscale.
- Proof of Italian residence or domicile.
- Residence permit when applicable.
- Italian current-account details.
- Part-time employment contract.
- Two or three recent payslips.
- University enrolment certificate.
- Recent bank statements.
UniCredit and BPER both explicitly identify identity documents, a tax code and proof of income among the documents used for credit-card applications.
How to Improve Your Approval Chances
International students should:
- Deposit their salary into the bank where they plan to apply.
- Wait until they have several payslips.
- Keep a positive account balance.
- Avoid overdrafts and returned direct debits.
- Request a modest initial credit limit.
- Apply through an existing banking relationship.
- Submit complete employment and residence documents.
Do not apply for several cards at the same time simply because one application is rejected. First improve the weakness in your financial profile.
Credit-Card Costs to Check
Before accepting a card, review:
- Issuance and annual fees.
- Interest rate and APR.
- Foreign-currency commission.
- Cash-advance charges.
- Late-payment fees.
- Account-maintenance costs.
- Default repayment method.
- Total cost of instalment payments.
Whenever possible, select full balance repayment. Rewards and flexible instalments have little value when interest charges exceed the benefits earned.
Final Verdict
The UniCreditCard Flexia Giovani is the strongest overall option for international students under 30 with part-time jobs in Italy. It is designed for younger customers, has a relatively low annual fee and starts with full balance repayment.
The illimity Credit Card is the best digital alternative because its standard €1,500 limit may suit a student’s first credit card. The Intesa Sanpaolo XME Credit Card is useful for students who value branch access, while BPER Carta Prime is less attractive unless its insurance benefits justify the higher fees.
A part-time job improves your application, but approval ultimately depends on documented income, account history, residence status and the bank’s assessment of your repayment capacity.
Official Sources
- UniCredit – Flexia Giovani Credit Card
- UniCredit – Credit Card Documents and Requirements
- illimity – Credit Cards
- Intesa Sanpaolo – XME Credit Card
- Intesa Sanpaolo – Credit Card Requirements
- BPER – Carta Prime
- BPER – Credit Card Requirements
