Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Jobs in Norway
The best credit cards for international students with part-time jobs in Norway usually have no annual fee, a manageable credit limit, and clear eligibility requirements. However, receiving income from a part-time job does not guarantee approval.
Norwegian card issuers normally assess your registered income, existing debts, living expenses, payment history, Norwegian address, and ability to repay. Students who recently arrived in Norway may therefore need to establish a banking and tax history before qualifying.
This guide compares suitable credit cards for international students earning part-time income in Norway.
Can International Students Get a Credit Card in Norway?
Yes, international students may apply for credit cards in Norway when they meet the card issuer’s requirements.
You will generally need:
- To be at least 18 years old.
- A Norwegian national identity number or D-number.
- A registered residential address in Norway.
- A Norwegian bank account.
- BankID for online identification and signing.
- Documented or registered income.
- No active debt collection cases or payment remarks.
- Enough disposable income to pass the credit assessment.
DNB explains that newcomers can become bank customers using a valid passport, residence permit and D-number. However, opening a bank account does not automatically qualify you for credit because a separate affordability assessment is required.
Best Credit Cards for International Students With Part-Time Income
1. DNB Ung Mastercard – Best for Students Aged 18 to 28
DNB Ung Mastercard is one of the most relevant options for younger international students who already use DNB for their salary and daily banking.
The card offers:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 days of interest-free credit.
- Discounts and benefits through the DNB Ung programme.
- Optional SAS EuroBonus earning through Mastercard Upgrade.
- Access to DNB’s broader young-adult banking package.
DNB Ung is designed for customers aged 18 to 28. The bank’s representative example lists a nominal interest rate of 18.60% and an effective annual rate of 20.27% when NOK 5,000 is repaid over 12 months.
DNB evaluates repayment capacity using information such as income, housing costs, electricity expenses and other financial commitments. A student receiving regular wages into a DNB account may find it easier to demonstrate stable finances, but approval remains individual.
Best for: Students under 29 who want their account, salary payments and credit card at the same bank.
Main drawback: Students with a short financial history or limited disposable income may receive a low limit or be rejected.
2. Bank Norwegian Credit Card – Best for Cashback and Travel Benefits
The Bank Norwegian credit card is attractive for students who travel regularly or want simple cashback without paying an annual fee.
Its main benefits include:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 45 days of interest-free credit.
- 0.5% cashback or CashPoints on eligible purchases.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- No card issuer fee for cash withdrawals abroad.
- A possible credit limit of up to NOK 150,000.
Applicants must be over 18 and have no payment remarks. Bank Norwegian performs a credit assessment and uses BankID authorization to obtain income and debt information from the Norwegian Tax Administration.
The bank also states that applicants should have stable, documented income. It examines the relationship between income and debt when processing applications. This makes registered part-time employment important for international students.
Best for: Working students who want cashback, airline rewards and travel insurance.
Main drawback: A limited or recently registered income may not be enough to pass the assessment.
3. TF Bank Mastercard – Best for Fee-Free Card Use
TF Bank Mastercard may suit international students who want a straightforward card for purchases in Norway and abroad.
The card includes:
- No annual fee.
- Fee-free card use worldwide.
- Up to 43 days of interest-free credit.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Identity-theft insurance.
- Discounts through the DealPass benefits programme.
- A potential credit limit of up to NOK 200,000.
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18.
- Have a residential and registered address in Norway.
- Have no active debt collection cases.
- Have no payment remarks.
- Pass TF Bank’s credit assessment.
These conditions do not specifically exclude international students. However, having a registered Norwegian address and sufficient documented income will be important during the assessment.
Best for: Students wanting no annual fee, travel insurance and broad merchant acceptance.
Main drawback: The representative effective interest rate is 26.69% when a balance is carried, making partial repayment expensive.
4. Morrow Bank Mastercard – Best for Purchase and Travel Insurance
Morrow Bank Mastercard offers several insurance benefits and does not charge an annual fee.
Cardholders receive:
- No annual fee.
- Up to 50 days of interest-free credit when paying in full.
- A possible credit limit of up to NOK 100,000.
- Travel and cancellation insurance.
- Purchase insurance.
- Mastercard identity-theft protection.
- Support for Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Garmin Pay.
Applicants must be at least 20 years old, be registered as residents in Norway, have no active payment remarks and sign using BankID. Morrow Bank then performs an individual credit assessment.
Best for: Students aged 20 or older who value purchase protection and digital-wallet support.
Main drawback: The nominal interest rate is 24.90% on purchases and 26.90% on cash withdrawals when interest applies.
Quick Comparison
- Best for students under 29: DNB Ung Mastercard.
- Best for cashback and flights: Bank Norwegian.
- Best for fee-free international use: TF Bank Mastercard.
- Best for insurance benefits: Morrow Bank Mastercard.
The advertised maximum limit should not influence your decision. A student with part-time income will normally receive a limit based on personal affordability, which may be significantly lower than the maximum.
How to Improve Your Approval Chances
Before applying, prepare evidence showing that your income is stable and your expenses are manageable.
Useful documents and steps include:
- Register your Norwegian address correctly.
- Obtain a national identity number or D-number.
- Set up BankID through a Norwegian bank.
- Have your salary paid into your Norwegian account.
- Keep recent payslips and your employment contract.
- Ensure your employment income is reported for tax purposes.
- Avoid overdrafts, unpaid bills and debt collection cases.
- Request a small initial credit limit.
- Avoid submitting several applications within a short period.
Applying through the bank where your part-time salary is deposited may help because the bank can observe your regular income and account activity.
What If You Cannot Get Approved?
Students who have recently moved to Norway may not yet have enough registered income or financial history to qualify.
Suitable alternatives include:
- A Norwegian Visa debit card.
- A prepaid payment card.
- A debit card connected to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Waiting until several salary payments appear in your account.
- Applying later for a low credit limit.
Do not borrow through high-interest consumer loans simply to build a financial history. A debit card is safer until your income can comfortably cover a monthly credit-card bill.
Final Verdict
DNB Ung Mastercard is a strong first option for international students aged 18 to 28 who already bank with DNB. Bank Norwegian may be better for cashback and travel, while TF Bank and Morrow Bank offer useful insurance and no-annual-fee benefits.
The best credit card for international students with part-time jobs in Norway is ultimately the card you can qualify for, use without unnecessary fees and repay completely every month. Carrying a balance can produce interest charges above 20%, quickly eliminating the value of cashback, discounts or travel rewards.
Official Sources
- DNB Ung Mastercard and young-adult banking programme.
- DNB credit-card assessment and terms, credit-card overview and current fees.
- Bank Norwegian credit-card features and application requirements.
- TF Bank Mastercard requirements and benefits.
- Morrow Bank Mastercard requirements and features, fees and conditions and included insurance.
