Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in the Netherlands
The best credit cards for international students with part-time jobs in the Netherlands usually require at least €500 of monthly employment income, a Dutch bank account and a satisfactory financial assessment.
A part-time job can improve your chances of approval, but it does not guarantee that a bank will issue a card. Your residence status, monthly expenses, account history and any negative BKR registration can also affect the decision.
This guide compares the most realistic student credit cards in the Netherlands and highlights an alternative for students who cannot qualify for traditional credit.
Can International Students Get a Credit Card in the Netherlands?
Yes, but the requirements vary considerably between banks.
You will generally need:
- To be at least 18 years old.
- A registered residential address in the Netherlands.
- A Dutch bank account.
- A Citizen Service Number, known as a BSN.
- Valid identification and, where applicable, a residence permit.
- Regular income paid into the linked account.
- No negative registration with the Dutch Credit Registration Office, or BKR.
- Enough disposable income to repay the monthly balance.
The Netherlands does not use the same consumer credit-score model found in countries such as the United States. Banks instead examine income, expenses, debts and BKR information when deciding whether an applicant is creditworthy.
Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in the Netherlands
1. ING Student Credit Card More – Best Overall Student Option
The ING Student Credit Card More is designed for students aged between 18 and 29 who have an ING Student Account.
Its principal features include:
- An annual card fee of €14.40.
- A spending limit of up to €1,000.
- Mastercard acceptance in the Netherlands and abroad.
- Purchase protection.
- Card management through the ING app.
- No option to increase the student card’s limit beyond €1,000.
ING requires qualifying income to be deposited into the ING Current Account linked to the card. Employment and business income can be considered, making wages from a registered part-time job particularly relevant.
This is a better fit for students who want a modest limit rather than a large line of credit. A lower limit can also reduce the risk of spending more than your monthly salary can cover.
Best for: Students aged 18–29 who receive their part-time wages through ING.
Main drawback: You must maintain an eligible ING student account and pass the bank’s assessment.
2. Rabo GoldCard With Rabo Free – Best for €500 Monthly Income
Rabobank provides one of the clearest income requirements for younger customers. Students and other customers using Rabo Free may apply when they are at least 18 and receive a minimum of €500 in monthly income into the linked account.
The Rabo GoldCard includes:
- A fee of €1.25 per month.
- A potential monthly spending limit of up to €10,000.
- Purchase protection for as long as 360 days on eligible purchases.
- Flight and baggage-delay coverage.
- Visa or Mastercard availability.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay support.
- Contactless payments.
Rabobank checks the income entering your account and reviews your information with BKR. The maximum advertised limit should not be treated as a likely student limit; the approved amount depends on your individual circumstances.
Foreign-currency payments carry a 2% exchange-rate surcharge. Cash withdrawals cost €4.50, with the currency surcharge added when the withdrawal is made in another currency.
Best for: Students aged 18–27 earning at least €500 per month.
Main drawback: It can be relatively expensive for cash withdrawals and non-euro spending.
3. ABN AMRO Student Credit Card – Best for Purchase Insurance
The ABN AMRO Student Credit Card is available with an ABN AMRO Student Account and costs €1.31 per month.
Its benefits include:
- A starting spending limit of €500.
- Up to 180 days of purchase insurance.
- Delivery protection for eligible online purchases.
- Flight and baggage-delay insurance.
- Apple Pay support.
- Automatic monthly repayment from the linked account.
Applicants must be at least 18, live in the Netherlands, have an ABN AMRO Student Account and receive at least €500 in net monthly income. DUO student finance, housing allowance and healthcare allowance do not count toward this minimum; ABN AMRO specifically describes the qualifying amount as income from employment or a part-time job.
Students earning between €500 and €1,150 may qualify for a €500 limit. Those earning more than €1,150 may be considered for a limit between €500 and €2,500, although every application is assessed individually and checked through BKR.
International students should verify residence-permit eligibility before applying. ABN AMRO’s general English-language card page states that people with temporary residence permits cannot apply, even though its Dutch student-card page focuses primarily on residence, income and account requirements.
Best for: Eligible students wanting extensive purchase and delivery protection.
Main drawback: Temporary residence-permit restrictions may exclude many non-EU international students.
4. bunq Mastercard Credit Card – Best No-Debt Alternative
The bunq Mastercard Credit Card is not a traditional borrowed-credit product. You fund it using money already held in your bunq account, and purchases are deducted from that balance.
However, merchants recognise it as a Mastercard Credit Card, making it useful for:
- Hotel reservations.
- Car-rental deposits.
- Online subscriptions.
- International purchases.
- Services that specifically request a credit card.
Because bunq does not provide a credit line or overdraft on this card, there is no credit interest or risk of carrying borrowed card debt. The card can also be used through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The card itself is advertised without an annual card fee, but access to physical or digital cards depends on the bunq banking plan you select, so compare the complete account cost rather than looking only at the card fee.
Best for: International students who need credit-card acceptance but cannot qualify for borrowed credit.
Main drawback: It does not provide a genuine credit limit or interest-free borrowing period.
Quick Comparison
- Best overall student card: ING Student Credit Card More.
- Best with €500 monthly income: Rabo GoldCard.
- Best purchase protection: ABN AMRO Student Credit Card.
- Best without a credit assessment for borrowing: bunq Mastercard Credit Card.
- Best for temporary residents: bunq may be the most practical, subject to account eligibility.
Does Part-Time Employment Income Count?
Part-time wages can count when they are regular, documented and deposited into the account connected to your application.
To demonstrate your income, keep:
- Your employment contract.
- Recent payslips.
- Bank statements showing salary deposits.
- Your BSN and Dutch address registration.
- Your passport and residence permit.
- University enrollment confirmation.
Allow your salary to enter the same account for several months before applying. This gives the bank a clearer picture of the stability of your income.
How to Improve Your Approval Chances
Follow these steps before submitting an application:
- Apply through the bank receiving your salary.
- Request a low initial spending limit.
- Keep enough money in your account for monthly repayment.
- Avoid unpaid bills and unauthorised overdrafts.
- Check whether your residence permit is accepted.
- Avoid multiple credit applications in a short period.
- Review all banking-package and foreign-currency fees.
Students earning less than €500 per month may have difficulty qualifying for ABN AMRO or Rabobank student options. In that situation, waiting until your income increases or choosing a pre-funded card is more sensible.
Credit Card or Debit Card: Which Is Better?
Credit cards are useful for travel, hotel deposits, car rentals and purchase insurance. However, debit cards remain the main everyday payment method for many people in the Netherlands.
A debit card may be better when:
- Your income changes every month.
- You have only recently started working.
- Your residence permit is not accepted by card issuers.
- You want to avoid debt completely.
- You do not need travel or purchase insurance.
Final Verdict
The ING Student Credit Card More is a strong overall option for students who already use ING and receive employment income into their account. The Rabo GoldCard has a clearly published €500 monthly-income requirement, while the ABN AMRO Student Credit Card offers valuable purchase and travel-delay protection for applicants who meet its income and residence conditions.
International students who cannot qualify for these products should consider the bunq Mastercard Credit Card. It provides credit-card acceptance without lending or interest, although it must be funded in advance.
Whichever card you choose, keep the limit low and repay the complete balance each month. A part-time salary should support your studies—not disappear into card debt and unnecessary fees.
Official Sources
- ING Student Credit Card More eligibility and features
- Rabobank student credit card, income requirements and fees
- ABN AMRO Student Credit Card requirements and limits
- bunq Mastercard Credit Card features
- ABN AMRO guide to Dutch credit and BKR registration
