Choosing the best ˷ͧ credit card often involves wading through pages of information on interest rates, annual fees, and handy benefits.
In this guide, we’ve sourced the most popular credit cards in the Netherlands — for personal use, travel, and all your business-related financial needs — and put them into one place.
READ MORE | Banking in the Netherlands: the complete guide
Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck! 💳✨
TIP: In a hurry? These are our all-round top picks for credit cards in the Netherlands. 👇
💳 Best personal credit card:
🏢 Best business credit card:
👩🏻💻 Best credit card for freelancers:
🛫 Best travel credit card:
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Best ˷ͧ credit cards for personal use
If you’re looking for a personal credit card that’ll offer you some powerful rewards, you can’t go wrong with the below options. 👇
The is the easy choice for a daily card that’ll cover your essentials, shopping trips, and anything else, at the low price of just €19.80 per year.
Not the biggest fan of credit, but still want the functionality? ING’s Debit Mastercard and Visa Debit cards may be right up your alley!
At just €2.15 per month, this is super easy on your wallet.
Don’t let the price fool you, though, because this baby will also earn you a nifty 8% discount on rental cars and a 4% cashback on hotels for that much-needed trip back home.
Although this is technically a virtual prepaid bank card, is a stellar option if you want the benefits of a credit card without the costs.
With zero commissions on purchases with foreign currency and full control over how much money you load on this card, it’s the perfect choice for online shopping enthusiasts.
Costing a maximum of €4.95 per month on the Rabo BasisPakket, the is one of the cheapest credit cards available in the Netherlands.
However, cheap doesn’t mean stingy, as the card’s standard lending limit of €1000 per month can be raised to a generous €10,000, depending on income.
Best ˷ͧ credit cards for travel
Frequent flyers, on the other hand, often have different requirements for their credit cards. While most of these cards aren’t widely accepted for day-to-day purchases in the Netherlands, they’re great for buying flights!
Their benefits can range from flight benefits to a smoother travel experience, and their credit card of choice will need to do some heavy lifting to open those doors for them. 💪💳
Our top picks are:
With open access to Schiphol’s exclusive Privium Plus benefits — such as faster security and border checks, priority parking, and the luxuries of the Privium Lounges — the ensures that your journey is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.
Of course, good things don’t come cheap, and neither does the AMEX Platinum card! Costing €65 per month, you’ll also need a gross yearly income of €30,000 to apply for this card.
At €55 per month, the unlocks the door to KLM’s handy Flying Blue loyalty programme, with the ability to earn Miles whenever you book a flight.
You can spend your Miles on countless exclusive rewards, such as baggage allowance, seat upgrades, or even a reward ticket!
A cheaper alternative to the AMEX Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum cards, the offers great benefits for the price, including continuous travel insurance and access to over 1000 lounges in 75 different countries.
Costing €225 per year, this credit card also provides you with worldwide travel insurance and a handy Priority Pass, with which you can access over 1,700 VIP airport lounges in 145 countries across the globe.
Best ˷ͧ credit cards for business
Perhaps you’re a businessperson or freelancer? Then these handy cards might be far more your speed.
For €20 a month, the packs some truly powerful features in a slim package.
Offering major pros like commission-free foreign transfers, comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, and a sky-high payment limit, it’s the ideal card for doing business overseas.
With nifty cashback features, in-depth spending insights, and deposit protection, the is a fabulous asset in any freelancer’s arsenal.
Even better — depending on your N26 plan, you may even be eligible for travel insurance to cover delays, emergencies, and cancellations.
The comes with comprehensive financial security — combining flexible spending limits, deferred payment plans, and a thorough overview of your business expenses.
Costing €85 per year, it also provides you with membership reward points for every euro spent.
At €42 per year, the is an excellent choice for new start-ups and small businesses.
Jam-packed with handy features such as flight delay insurance and SafeGuard Support in the event of emergencies, it also offers ICS’ 24/7 Fraud Protection system — so you can rest assured that your capital is as safe as can be.
How to get the most out of your ˷ͧ credit card
Hoera, you’ve got yourself a ˷ͧ credit card… but how can you make the most of the new asset in your wallet?
Here are some handy tips and tricks that’ll serve you well during your time in the Netherlands:
Get a discount on your trip back home
Stunning though the Netherlands is, a trip back to your family and home country can really be the best mood-booster known to man. Travel, unfortunately, can be a rather expensive hobby.
Well, with your fancy new credit card, you’re in luck! It can help you score discounts on flight tickets, handy upgrades, and even travel insurance.
Choose a prepaid credit card for the best of both worlds
Prepaid credit cards function very similarly to debit cards, where you load a certain amount of money on your card in advance and can only spend up to that value. This often makes them a safer option than traditional credit cards.
However, where prepaid credit cards differ from debit cards is that your card needn’t be affiliated with a bank or banking account to operate. In addition to this, they offer many of the vast benefits that credit cards do — from cashback offers to travel insurance and more.
3 things to know about credit cards in the Netherlands
It’s only natural to have a few questions about what it’s like to own a ˷ͧ credit card.
Let’s run through some important things you need to know. 👇
1. A credit check is generally mandatory
In order to apply for a credit card in the Netherlands, applicants will need to complete a BKR assessment.
Also known as the Bureau Krediet Registratie (Credit Registration Office), this assessment determines how much money you have borrowed — and whether you’ve paid those bills on time.
READ MORE | The best banks in the Netherlands for internationals in 2024
Many credit card companies will refuse your application if you have a negative BKR.
2. Many credit cards have an income requirement
Depending on your desired credit card, you will very likely have to meet a certain monthly or yearly income requirement in order to be eligible.
Some banks (such as ING) may still offer you a credit card even if you don’t meet all their income criteria — but your spending limit may be drastically reduced.
3. It’s easy to avoid paying interest on your credit card
One important thing to know about credit cards is that you’ll be billed for all expenses charged on your card at the end of every month.
As long as you pay any outstanding balances within your card’s grace period, you won’t need to pay any interest on this money.
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Have you used any of the credit cards on our list? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments below!
Credit cards in the Netherlands: Frequently Asked Questions
Are credit cards common in the Netherlands?
Although the ˷ͧ prefer debit cards, the use of credit cards is becoming more common in the Netherlands. Most chain shops are beginning to accept credit cards more often, although smaller retailers are lagging behind.
What credit cards are accepted in the Netherlands?
Credit cards are not yet widely accepted in the Netherlands. However, you will have better luck with Mastercard and Visa compared to cards like American Express or Diner’s Club.
Can I pay with a credit card in the Netherlands?
While debit cards are still king in the Netherlands, credit cards are beginning to be accepted more often, particularly at international or national chain stores, hotels, and tourist destinations.
Is this information still relevant that ABN AMRO Credit Card gives you 8% discount on rental cars and a 4% cashback on hotels? I couldn’t find anything about it under their terms and conditions.
This info for Mastercard Black is incorrect. It is not earning any air miles at this point (April 2025).
Hi Janis!
Thanks for pointing this out — we’ve now made some edits to the article that reflect these changes.