Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in Denmark

Finding the best credit cards for international students with no income in Denmark is difficult because a credit card is a borrowing product. Danish lenders must assess whether an applicant has enough disposable income to repay the credit after covering normal living expenses.

A scholarship, savings or family support may help you afford life in Denmark, but it may not be accepted as stable repayment income. For most students without employment or another regular income source, a Danish debit card is therefore more realistic than a credit card.

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Can International Students Get a Credit Card Without Income?

In most cases, an international student with no regular income will not qualify for a Danish credit card.

Before entering a consumer credit agreement, a provider must complete a creditworthiness assessment. The lender is expected to use documented information to determine whether the applicant’s disposable income can cover variable expenses and payments on the new credit.

The assessment may consider:

• Salary and other documented income.
• Rent and housing expenses.
• Food, transport and insurance costs.
• Existing loans and overdrafts.
• Other credit card limits.
• Unpaid debts or payment records.
• The amount of credit requested.

Having savings does not automatically guarantee approval. The bank must decide that the applicant can make future repayments without relying entirely on the available credit.

Are There Student Credit Cards With Guaranteed Approval?

No major Danish bank currently advertises a credit card with guaranteed approval for international students without income.

Some banks include credit cards in student packages, but the credit facility remains subject to approval.

Danske Bank, for example, offers Mastercard Basis without an annual card fee to qualifying students under 32. However, the bank clearly states that the card requires credit approval. Students can instead receive a Visa/Dankort or Mastercard Direct without an annual card fee through the qualifying package.

This distinction matters:

• Mastercard Basis: Includes a credit facility and requires approval.
• Mastercard Direct: Uses money available in the linked account and does not provide credit.

Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in Denmark

The following are not credit cards, but they are more achievable for international students who have no salary.

1. Danske Bank Mastercard Direct

Danske Bank’s student package is available to customers who are generally aged 18–27 or studying and under 32.

Eligible customers may receive:

• A student bank account.
• Mastercard Direct or Visa/Dankort without an annual card fee.
• Mobile and online banking.
• Free domestic bill payments and transfers under the package conditions.
• Access to card payments in Denmark and abroad.

Mastercard Direct does not provide borrowed money. Transactions are normally authorised against the available account balance.

A specific Mastercard Direct student product may also include European travel-insurance benefits under its applicable terms. Students should confirm whether the current card offered to them includes insurance before relying on it.

Best for: Students under 32 who want an everyday Danish card without applying for credit.

2. Sydbank Mastercard Ung Debit

Sydbank offers a Mastercard debit card for younger customers.

The card can be used for:

• Everyday purchases.
• Online payments.
• Contactless transactions.
• Purchases outside Denmark.
• ATM withdrawals.

Sydbank states that Mastercard Ung Debit customers can withdraw euros from ATMs in euro-area EU countries without the normal bank withdrawal charge, although an ATM operator may apply its own fee.

Because the card is linked to deposited funds, it is more suitable than a credit card for students without income.

Best for: Younger students who want a standard international debit card.

3. Danske Bank Visa/Dankort

Visa/Dankort combines Denmark’s domestic Dankort system with international Visa acceptance.

Eligible young adults and students can obtain the card without an annual card fee through Danske Bank’s student programme.

It can be useful for:

• Payments at Danish shops.
• Online purchases.
• International Visa payments.
• Managing spending directly from a Danish account.

The card may allow limited account overdrawing only when separately agreed with the bank. Do not assume that a standard Visa/Dankort includes credit.

Best for: Students who want strong acceptance within Denmark and an international card function.

4. Keep a Credit Card From Your Home Country

An existing foreign credit card may be the only practical way to retain access to credit during your first months in Denmark.

Official guidance for international students recommends bringing enough funds or a working credit card for initial expenses because setting up a Danish bank account can take time.

Before using a foreign card, check:

• Foreign transaction fees.
• Currency conversion charges.
• ATM withdrawal fees.
• Whether moving abroad affects the agreement.
• How you will pay the monthly balance.
• Whether the card supports chip-and-PIN payments.

Paying high currency fees on every transaction can make a Danish debit card more economical once your local account is active.

How to Open a Danish Bank Account

International students are advised to open a Danish bank account, particularly when they will receive salary, student support or public payments.

You will commonly need:

1. Passport or accepted identity document.
2. Danish CPR number.
3. Proof of Danish address.
4. Residence documentation, when applicable.
5. University enrolment confirmation.
6. Information about the source of your funds.
7. MitID when applying through digital channels.

Study in Denmark states that students normally need their CPR number when opening a bank account.

A Danish or foreign account can be registered as your NemKonto for payments from public authorities. Registering a NemKonto requires a CPR number.

Do International Students Have a Right to a Bank Account?

Eligible consumers legally resident in the EU, or in certain countries covered by an EU financial agreement, generally have the right to apply for a basic payment account in Denmark.

A basic payment account can include:

• Deposits and withdrawals.
• Incoming transfers.
• Payment transactions.
• A payment card with balance control.
• Online banking.

This right does not require a bank to provide a credit card, overdraft or loan.

A bank can therefore approve your account and debit card while declining your credit application.

Can Scholarships Count as Income?

There is no single rule requiring every Danish issuer to treat scholarships in the same way.

A bank may consider:

• How long the scholarship continues.
• Whether payments are regular.
• Whether the funds can be documented.
• Whether they cover both living expenses and credit repayments.
• Whether the scholarship can be cancelled.

Even when scholarship income is considered, approval remains subject to the lender’s assessment. Family transfers and money held in savings may be viewed as financial resources rather than stable income.

How to Qualify for Credit Later

Students can improve their future eligibility by:

• Opening and regularly using a Danish bank account.
• Receiving part-time salary into the account.
• Maintaining an accurate CPR-registered address.
• Paying rent and invoices on time.
• Avoiding unpaid instalment purchases.
• Keeping existing debt low.
• Applying through their main bank.
• Requesting the smallest practical credit limit.
• Avoiding several applications within a short period.

Once you have regular income, Danske Bank Mastercard Basis or a youth credit card from another Danish bank may become possible. Approval will still depend on your complete financial situation.

Avoid Buy Now, Pay Later Debt

Instalment and buy-now-pay-later services are still forms of credit. They may involve:

• Creditworthiness checks.
• Interest or administration fees.
• Late-payment charges.
• Debt collection after missed payments.
• Several overlapping monthly obligations.

Using these services does not solve the absence of income. It can instead reduce your chances of obtaining a conventional credit card later.

Final Verdict

There are no reliable Danish credit cards offering guaranteed approval to international students with no income.

The best practical choices are:

• Danske Bank Mastercard Direct.
• Danske Bank Visa/Dankort.
• Sydbank Mastercard Ung Debit.
• An existing credit card from your home country.

Start with a Danish bank account and debit card. Apply for a credit card only after obtaining regular, documentable income and confirming that you can repay the complete monthly balance.

Official Sources

• Danish Consumer Ombudsman – Creditworthiness Assessments
• Danish Financial Supervisory Authority – Basic Bank Accounts
• Study in Denmark – Bank and Budget
• Life in Denmark – NemKonto and Basic Payment Accounts
• Danske Bank – Student and Young Adult Accounts
• Danske Bank – Become a Customer
• Sydbank – Mastercard Ung Debit