Best Travel Credit Cards for International Students in Norway
Best Travel Credit Cards for International Students in Norway
The best travel credit cards for international students in Norway offer travel insurance, no annual fee and reasonable foreign-currency charges. However, approval normally requires Norwegian identification, registered residence, verifiable income and a successful credit assessment.
For younger international students, SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung is one of the strongest starter options. Bank Norwegian offers a lower foreign-exchange markup and travel rewards, while DNB Mastercard and Morrow Bank provide useful insurance benefits without an annual fee.
Best Travel Credit Cards in Norway: Quick Picks
- SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung: Best overall for students aged 18–34.
- Bank Norwegian Credit Card: Best for cashback or airline rewards.
- DNB Mastercard: Best for existing DNB customers.
- Morrow Bank Credit Card: Best for insurance and longer interest-free credit.
- Re Black: Best for travel and online-shopping discounts.
These are standard credit cards, not guaranteed student cards. Each issuer can reject an application after assessing income, debt and repayment ability.
Best Travel Credit Cards for International Students in Norway
1. SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung — Best Overall for Younger Students
SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung is designed for customers between 18 and 34, making it one of the most relevant travel cards for international students.
Its published benefits include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Rental-car excess insurance.
- No purchase fee in Norway or abroad.
- Mobile payment support.
- A 2% foreign-currency markup.
To activate the travel insurance, at least half of the trip’s transport costs must be paid with the card. Coverage applies to trips lasting up to 90 days and can cover the cardholder plus up to three family members or other travelling companions.
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 34.
- Have a Norwegian national identity number.
- Have no payment remarks.
- Pass a credit assessment.
Best for: International students who have completed Norwegian population registration and want a no-annual-fee starter travel card.
2. Bank Norwegian Credit Card — Best for Travel Rewards
Bank Norwegian is a strong travel option for students who want to earn rewards on ordinary purchases.
Cardholders can choose between:
- Cashback that reduces the card balance.
- CashPoints that can be used toward Norwegian airline tickets.
Other benefits include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Credit limit of up to NOK 150,000, subject to approval.
- No issuer fee for ATM withdrawals.
- A foreign-currency markup of 1.75%.
The travel insurance applies when at least 50% of the qualifying trip is paid with the card. Bank Norwegian also offers optional rental-car excess insurance for a separate annual charge.
Applicants must be over 18, have no payment remarks and pass a credit assessment. The maximum advertised limit should not be treated as a realistic student limit; the bank determines the actual amount based on the applicant’s finances.
Best for: Students with documented income who want airline rewards, cashback and a relatively low currency markup.
3. DNB Mastercard — Best for DNB Customers
DNB Mastercard has no annual fee and includes travel insurance when at least half of the trip’s transport costs are paid with the card.
Its main features include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- Fee-free ordinary purchases.
- Travel insurance valid worldwide.
- Coverage for the cardholder’s household or up to three travelling companions.
- Discounts linked to DNB’s customer programmes.
DNB currently applies a foreign-currency markup of approximately 1.95% to qualifying card transactions in foreign currencies.
DNB also offers an Ung customer programme for customers aged 18–28. Travel insurance can be activated when at least half of the transport cost is paid from an eligible DNB account, debit card or credit card.
Best for: International students already using DNB for salary deposits and everyday banking.
4. Morrow Bank Credit Card — Best for Insurance Benefits
Morrow Bank offers a no-annual-fee Mastercard with:
- Up to 50 interest-free days.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Purchase insurance.
- Credit limit of up to NOK 100,000, subject to approval.
- No issuer fee for purchases or cash withdrawals.
- A 1.75% foreign-currency markup.
Travel insurance applies when at least 50% of the trip is paid with the card. It can cover accidents, illness, delays and rental-car excess for trips lasting up to 90 days, subject to the policy conditions.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 20.
- Be registered as residents in Norway.
- Have no active payment remarks.
- Pass a credit assessment.
Cash withdrawals require caution. Although Morrow does not charge its own withdrawal fee, interest begins from the withdrawal date.
Best for: Students aged 20 or older who have registered residence and want broader travel-related coverage.
5. Re Black — Best for Travel Discounts
Re Black combines travel insurance with discounts at participating online stores.
Its benefits include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 interest-free days.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Discounts at more than 200 online retailers.
- Mobile payment support.
- A 2% foreign-currency markup.
The travel insurance becomes active when at least 50% of the trip’s transport costs are paid with the card. It can cover the cardholder, spouse or partner, eligible children, or up to three travelling companions.
The discounts can include hotels, holiday rentals, flights and car hire, but only purchases made through participating retailers qualify.
Best for: Students with regular income who frequently book travel or shop online through the Re Reward programme.
Which Travel Card Has the Lowest Currency Fee?
Among the cards reviewed:
- Bank Norwegian: 1.75%.
- Morrow Bank: 1.75%.
- DNB Mastercard: approximately 1.95%.
- SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung: 2%.
- Re Black: 2%.
A lower markup matters when studying abroad, travelling frequently or purchasing flights and accommodation in foreign currencies.
Even with a low markup, always select the merchant’s local currency rather than Norwegian kroner. Paying in NOK abroad can trigger dynamic currency conversion, where the merchant chooses a potentially less favourable exchange rate. Bank Norwegian notes that this conversion can sometimes add substantially more than the card’s standard currency markup.
Credit Card Requirements for International Students
Most international students will need:
- Norwegian national identity number.
- Registered Norwegian address.
- BankID.
- Regular and documentable income.
- No payment remarks.
- No unresolved collection cases.
- Manageable existing loans and credit limits.
- Sufficient disposable income after rent and living costs.
A scholarship or family transfer may cover living expenses, but the issuer may not treat it as equivalent to fixed employment income.
How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card
Compare the following before applying:
- Annual fee.
- Foreign-currency markup.
- Travel insurance activation requirement.
- Maximum insured trip duration.
- Coverage for companions and family.
- Rental-car excess protection.
- Cash withdrawal charges and interest.
- Cashback, points or travel discounts.
- Effective interest rate.
- Minimum age and residence requirements.
Do not choose a card only because it advertises free travel insurance. Read the policy to confirm which costs, destinations and travellers are covered.
How to Use a Travel Credit Card Safely
Follow these rules:
- Pay the entire invoice every month.
- Pay enough of the trip with the card to activate insurance.
- Keep receipts and booking confirmations.
- Avoid ATM withdrawals whenever interest begins immediately.
- Select local currency when paying abroad.
- Carry a second payment card for emergencies.
- Request a modest credit limit.
- Never use credit to finance a trip you cannot already afford.
Final Verdict
The best overall option for many younger international students is SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung, thanks to its 18–34 age range, no annual fee, 90-day travel insurance and rental-car excess coverage.
Bank Norwegian is the better choice for students who value cashback, CashPoints and a 1.75% currency markup. DNB Mastercard works well for existing DNB customers, while Morrow Bank offers strong insurance benefits for applicants aged 20 or older.
International students without stable income should use a Norwegian debit card and separate travel insurance until they can qualify for credit responsibly.
Official Sources
- SpareBank 1 Mastercard Ung
- SpareBank 1 Foreign Currency Markup
- Bank Norwegian Credit Card
- Bank Norwegian Prices and Fees
- DNB Mastercard
- DNB Mastercard Travel Insurance
- Morrow Bank Credit Card
- Morrow Bank Travel Insurance
- Re Black
- Re Black Prices and Terms
