Free credit cards with no annual fee – best offers 2023

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Comparison of free credit cards without annual fee 2023: Advantages and disadvantages at a glance.

Free credit cards without an associated checking account are an interesting alternative to traditional credit cards, which are usually only offered in conjunction with a checking account. Many banks and financial institutions charge monthly fees for the combination of current account and credit card, which can amount to ten euros or more. But there are a growing number of providers that offer fee-free credit cards that can be used independently of a checking account.

In this article, we'll introduce you to eight no-fee credit cards that you can use as a complement to any checking account. We will look at the strengths and weaknesses of each card and give you important information about the terms and conditions. Because while many cards offer free cash withdrawal at ATMs in the eurozone, there are also cards that charge high interest if you do not repay the loan immediately in one go.

We want to take this topic seriously, so we want to inform you in detail about the pros and cons of free credit cards without an associated checking account. Here's how you can make an informed decision about whether such a card is right for you and your needs.

The different types of credit cards: prepaid, debit, charge and revolving cards

  • Prepaid card: credit card on credit basis, recharge with amount by bank transfer, no credit limit, good option for budget-conscious people
  • Debit card: debits the amount used from the checking account, not a credit card in the true sense, good option for people who want to keep track of their spending
  • Charge card: individual credit line, credit card sales are accumulated and settled regularly, total amount is debited by direct debit, good option for people who want to plan their expenses in advance
  • Revolving card: credit line available, repay in full or in installments, high interest and cost risks with installments, good option for larger purchases, but be careful with repayments

Barclays Visa Card

The Barclays Visa Card offers many benefits that may be of particular interest to travelers or backpackers. With this card, you have access to free cash worldwide and can get up to 500 euros in emergencies. In addition, there are up to three free partner cards and you can have all transactions conveniently debited by direct debit. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available. However, there are some disadvantages, such as the high credit interest of 21.33 percent for partial payment and the automatic setting to partial payment by direct debit. In addition, there are no insurance benefits included.

Barclays Visa Card benefits:

  • Worldwide free cash supply: With the card you can withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide for free.
  • Free partner cards: depending on the card model, you can get up to three free partner cards that can also be used by other people.
  • Interest-free payment term: you can make interest-free payments for up to two months, including cash withdrawals.
  • Emergency Cash Service: In case of emergency, you can withdraw up to 500 euros in cash.
  • Compatibility with Apple Pay and Google Pay: the card can be used with digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Direct debit: sales can be collected entirely by direct debit, which facilitates payment transactions.

Disadvantages of the Barclays Visa Card:

  • High credit interest: High credit interest of 21.33 percent is charged for partial payments.
  • Preset installment payment option: the card is preset to installment payment by direct debit, which can lead to high interest rates.
  • No insurance benefits: Unlike some other credit cards, there are no insurance benefits with the Barclays Visa Card, such as for travel or purchases.

Hanseatic Bank Genialcard

The Hanseatic Bank Genialcard offers a number of benefits such as free cash withdrawals worldwide and free payments, allowing users to save money. Interest-free credit in the first three months after opening the card can also be helpful for small financial bottlenecks. However, it's important to note that a credit score is required and that credit interest of 16.45 percent effective applies to partial payments. The ability to transfer money to the checking account within the credit limit and flexible direct debit options for all transactions are also useful features. However, it is important to note that the Hanseatic Bank Genialcard does not offer insurance services.

Hanseatic Bank Genialcard offers many benefits including free cash withdrawals and payments worldwide, interest-free credit for the first three months and flexible direct debit options. The downside is that partial payments incur high interest on the loan and no insurance benefits are included.

  • Free cash withdrawals worldwide: Customers can withdraw cash worldwide free of charge with the Genialcard from Hanseatic Bank.
  • Worldwide free payment: Customers can use the card to make payments worldwide without incurring any fees.
  • Interest-free credit in the first three months after opening (subject to creditworthiness): Customers can take out an interest-free loan for the first three months, giving them financial flexibility.
  • Ability to transfer money to checking account within credit limit: Customers can transfer money to their checking account within their credit limit.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay available: Customers can use the card to make contactless payments via smartphone.
  • Flexible direct debit for all sales: All transactions can be debited by direct debit from a reference account.
  • Credit interest of 16.45 percent effective for partial payments: High credit interest rates apply for partial payments, which customers must take into account.
  • No insurance benefits: The card offers no insurance services such as travel insurance or buyer protection.

awa7 Visa Card

The awa7 Visa Card is a free credit card offered by Hanseatic Bank. You can use the card to make free payments and withdraw cash worldwide without paying foreign currency fees. You can also make contactless payments via the NFC function and use mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

New customers receive an interest-free loan of up to 2 % for the first three months after application.000 euros. If you decide to pay in installments, you will have to pay an effective interest rate of 19.70 percent. To avoid high interest rates, you should pay the open item at the end of the month by direct debit.

A special feature of the awa7 Visa Card is sustainability: immediately after receiving the credit card, ten trees are planted and for every hundredth euro of sales, another tree is planted.

It is important to note, however, that this credit card does not offer insurance benefits.

Advantages of awa7 Visa Card:

  • Free worldwide cash supply without foreign currency fees.
  • Mobile payment via NFC function, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Interest-free credit of up to 2.000 euros in the first three months for new customers.
  • Sustainable through tree planting.
  • Easy repayment by direct debit at the end of the month.

Disadvantages of awa7 Visa Card:

  • High annual percentage rate of 19.70 percent for installment payments.
  • No insurance benefits such as z.B. Travel insurance.
  • May not be suitable for people who cannot pay their credit card in full.

Germany Credit Card Classic (Visa)

The Deutschland-Kreditkarte Classic (Visa) is a credit card that can be used worldwide free of charge. This applies to both payments and cash withdrawals. Another interesting feature is the possibility of transferring money directly to the current account within the drawing limit if the creditworthiness exists.

In addition, the card offers mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as an interest-free loan for the first three months. Outstanding items are collected via direct debit.

It should be noted, however, that an effective loan interest rate of 19.70 percent applies when paying in installments. Furthermore, the card does not offer any insurance services.

  • Worldwide free use of the credit card (payments and cash withdrawals).
  • Mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Interest free credit for the first three months.
  • Collection of open items by direct debit.
  • Possibility of transferring money directly to the checking account within the drawing limit.
  • High effective loan interest rate of 19.70 percent when paying in installments.
  • No insurance benefits.

Payback American Express card

The Payback American Express card is a credit card that is particularly suitable for frequent shoppers and Payback point collectors. With this card you can collect points not only at Payback partners, but also at stores that do not belong to the Payback program. The card supports Apple Pay and contactless payments via the card's NFC function. You also get push notifications for new sales and insurance is included.

It is important to note that fees apply for card use outside the euro zone and for cash withdrawals. The fees for cash withdrawals are at least 5 euros or 4% of the amount withdrawn. Unfortunately, Google Pay is not currently supported.

All expenses are debited interest-free from your current account after 30 days by direct debit. Overall, the Payback American Express card is a good choice for those who like to collect points and shop a lot, but should keep in mind fees for cash withdrawals and use outside the euro zone.

  • Collecting payback points from non-payback partners is possible
  • Supports Apple Pay and contactless payment via NFC
  • Push notifications when new transactions are made
  • Insurance included
  • Interest-free direct debit collection
  • Fees for card use outside the euro zone
  • Fees for cash withdrawals (at least 5 euros or 4% of the amount withdrawn)
  • No support for Google Pay
  • Focus on payments via credit card, cash withdrawals involve fees.

Santander BestCard Basic

The Santander BestCard Basic is a cashback credit card where you save money or get cashback when you spend money. The APR on installment payments is a moderate 16.83 percent. Credit card offers free cash withdrawals worldwide (up to four per month) and contactless payments. You can also get a free partner card and receive 2 euros cashback per month for petrol station transactions.It should be noted, however, that the credit card does not offer insurance coverage and does not provide push notifications for new transactions. You can't link the credit card to modern payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and there's a 1.50 percent fee if you use the card outside the eurozone. It is also not possible to settle sales by direct debit.

  • Cashback system for savings and refunds.
  • Up to 4 free cash withdrawals worldwide per month.
  • Contactless payment and free partner card available.
  • Effective annual interest rate of 16.83 percent on installment payments.
  • Monthly cashback of 2 euros for gas station sales.
  • No insurance services included.
  • Lack of push notifications for new transactions.
  • No linking with Apple Pay or Google Pay possible.
  • Fee of 1.50 percent for card use outside the Eurozone.
  • No option to settle sales by direct debit.

Consors Finanz Mastercard

With the Consors Finanz Mastercard you can easily make cashless payments worldwide. Contactless and cashless payment via the card's NFC function or Apple Pay or Google Pay is particularly convenient. You pay no foreign transaction fees, so you can shop abroad worry-free.

If you should need nevertheless once cash, this is also no problem. You can withdraw cash worldwide, but there is a fee of 3.95 euros per transaction for withdrawals under 300 euros. Please also note that for cash withdrawals immediately debit interest of 16.90 percent is due, which will be charged extra.

In the associated banking app, you have the option of an installment loan at credit-dependent interest rates (16.90 percent effective on average) with just one click. Please note, however, that problems can arise with car rental bookings, as the credit card is only managed through the customer account, but not the card itself as a credit card.

However, if you make a one-time payment within 90 days, there are no additional costs due to an installment payment. You also benefit from 0.00 percent interest on repayments per quarter.

Please note that no insurance benefits are included and direct debit is not possible.

  • Worldwide cash supply without foreign transaction fees.
  • Contactless payment with NFC function and Apple Pay/Google Pay.
  • No annual fee.
  • Repayment without interest per quarter.
  • Installment payments possible via the associated app.
  • Debit interest of 16.90% for monthly installment payments.
  • Fee of 3.95 euros for cash withdrawals under 300 euros.
  • Debit interest due immediately for cash withdrawals.
  • No insurance benefits.
  • No direct debit possible.
  • Problems with car rental bookings possible.

Advanzia Bank Mastercard Gold

Advanzia Bank offers a free Mastercard Gold that can be used worldwide without fees. There are also no foreign transaction fees. The card can be used with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Garmin Pay and allows contactless payments. Travel insurance is included, which provides good basic protection but is not comparable to traditional travel insurance. However, cash withdrawals incur high interest rates of 19.94 percent, which should be avoided. Billing takes place once a month and must be done independently by bank transfer. There are no push notifications for new transactions and direct debit is not available.

  • Free Mastercard Gold with no foreign transaction fees
  • Can be used worldwide, including contactless payment options
  • Includes travel insurance
  • Compatible with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Garmin Pay
  • High interest rates of 19.94 percent for cash withdrawals and installment payments
  • Monthly billing, which must be done manually via bank transfer
  • No direct debit possible
  • No notifications about new transactions

TF Bank Mastercard Gold

Free credit cards with no annual fee - best offers 2023

the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is really cool! You can use it to pay anywhere in the world free of charge and do not have to worry about foreign transaction fees. And if you like to travel, you have even more advantages: You can benefit from a cashback program of up to 5% on car rental and travel bookings, and you're covered by included travel insurance policies.

You can also benefit when shopping with the card, because you can stay interest-free for up to 51 days, as long as you pay the outstanding amount within the invoice period. But beware, if you don't settle the outstanding amount on time, you will incur credit interest of 19.39%. Interest rates are even higher for cash withdrawals, with an effective lending rate of 22.96%, so you'd better avoid that.

But that's not all! You can also use the card with Apple Pay or Google Pay, which makes paying even more convenient.

It is important to note, however, that you must settle all sales with the card by bank transfer and no direct debit is possible. So don't forget to pay the outstanding balance on time.

All in all, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is a great option for anyone looking for a flexible and reliable credit card they can use to pay around the world. But be careful when withdrawing cash and remember to pay the outstanding amount as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary interest charges.

  • Worldwide free payments without foreign transaction fees
  • Cashback program of up to 5%
  • Use of Apple Pay or Google Pay possible
  • Up to 51 days interest free
  • Credit interest of 19.39
  • Effective credit interest rate of 22.96% for cash withdrawals
  • Settle all transactions by bank transfer