Comparison
New in Germany means no SCHUFA history, and most cards reject you for it. These three approve expats with a thin or empty credit file.
By Mahiuddin Al Kamal · 3 options
Your SCHUFA score is Germany's credit reputation system, and as a new arrival you have no file at all. That empty history isn't neutral, it gets you rejected for phone contracts, apartments, and most real credit cards. The fix is a starter card that approves you without an established SCHUFA record, then reports your good behaviour back to build one.
We prioritised approval odds for expats with no German credit history, then fees, then whether the card actively builds your SCHUFA. Advanzia takes the top spot: no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a low approval bar. TF Bank is the close backup if Advanzia declines, and Barclays Visa is the pick if your priority is building SCHUFA history for a future mortgage.
Warning: These are true credit cards with revolving balances and steep interest if you don't clear them monthly. Set up a full-balance direct debit the day the card arrives, use it for everyday spending, and your SCHUFA improves on autopilot.
01 / At a glance
Pick an option name to jump to its full write-up below.
| Option | Rating | Best for | Annual fee | Foreign FX fee | Schufa needed | Rewards | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick Advanzia Mastercard Gold | 4.2 | No-fee travel card | €0 | None | Low bar | No | Visit Advanzia Mastercard Gold website, opens in a new tab |
| TF Bank Mastercard Gold | 4.1 | Easy approval | €0 | None | Low bar | Cashback | Visit TF Bank Mastercard Gold website, opens in a new tab |
| Barclays Visa | 4.0 | Flexible repayment | €0 | None | Medium | Some | Visit Barclays Visa website, opens in a new tab |
Scroll the table sideways to see every spec.
02 / In detail
Free gold credit card with no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance included.
Pros
Cons
Free gold Mastercard with travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees. No German credit history needed.
Pros
Cons
Free Visa credit card with up to 2 months interest-free on purchases. Good for building German credit history.
Pros
Cons
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Related
Loans & MortgagesA Finanzierungsbestätigung from a German bank usually lands in 5 to 10 working days once your SCHUFA and Meldebescheinigung are filed, and non-EU buyers often need 30 to 40 percent equity.
Credit CardsTF Bank's gold Mastercard carries a 0 EUR annual fee with zero German Schufa file required, while a Sparkasse Gold card can run 40 to 62 EUR a year as of September 2026, so the free card isn't always the cheaper one once FX fees enter the math.
Loans & MortgagesNon-EU buyers with under two years in Germany are seeing 30 to 40 percent down payment requirements this September, while permanent residents still get standard 10 to 20 percent terms from most lenders.
