Credit cards with no annual fee are the ideal starting point for expats in the Netherlands. While the rewards may not be as flashy as premium cards, free credit cards give you the benefits of having a Visa or Mastercard without any ongoing cost. Here are the best options available in 2026.
Why Get a Free Credit Card?
Even in the debit-card-dominated Netherlands, a credit card is useful for:
- International travel (car rentals, hotels, and payments abroad)
- Online purchases from non-Dutch websites
- Building a BKR credit history
- Emergency payments and purchase protection
- Subscriptions that require a credit card
Top Free Credit Cards
1. ICS Visa Classic — Best All-Round Free Card
The ICS Visa Classic is the no-annual-fee version of the popular Visa World Card family. It provides basic credit card functionality without the bells and whistles of the paid tiers.
- Annual fee: EUR 0
- Card network: Visa
- Foreign transaction fee: 2%
- Minimum income: EUR 1,500/month net
- BKR check: Yes
- Contactless: Yes
- Apple Pay: Yes
Pros: No annual fee, worldwide Visa acceptance, contactless and Apple Pay support. A solid starter card.
Cons: No purchase protection or travel insurance (those require the paid Visa World Card). 2% foreign transaction fee adds up when spending abroad.
2. ING Credit Card — Best for ING Customers
If you already bank with ING, their credit card is a natural add-on. It integrates seamlessly with your ING current account and can be managed entirely through the ING app.
- Annual fee: EUR 0 (included with ING current account)
- Card network: Visa
- Foreign transaction fee: 1.5%
- Minimum income: Varies
- BKR check: Yes
Pros: No additional cost for ING customers, lower foreign transaction fee than ICS, integrated app experience.
Cons: Only available to ING account holders, basic features.
3. ABN AMRO Credit Card — Best for ABN Customers
Similar to ING, ABN AMRO offers a credit card to existing customers at no additional annual fee. It comes with basic purchase protection.
- Annual fee: EUR 0 (with qualifying account)
- Card network: Mastercard
- Foreign transaction fee: 1.5%
Pros: No annual fee for existing customers, Mastercard network, basic purchase protection included.
Cons: Requires ABN AMRO account, limited standalone value.
4. N26 Standard — Best for No-Hassle Setup
N26's Standard plan comes with a free Mastercard debit card that works like a credit card for most purposes. No BKR check, no income requirements, and instant sign-up.
- Annual fee: EUR 0
- Card network: Mastercard (debit)
- Foreign transaction fee: 0% (in supported currencies)
- BKR check: No
Pros: Truly free, no credit check, excellent exchange rates, instant setup.
Cons: It is technically a debit card, not a credit card. German IBAN (no iDEAL). Some car rental companies and hotels may not accept debit cards.
Comparison at a Glance
- Best overall: ICS Visa Classic — true credit card, no annual fee, wide acceptance
- Best for ING customers: ING Credit Card — seamless integration, lower foreign fees
- Best for easy approval: N26 Standard — no credit check, instant setup
- Best foreign transaction fees: N26 Standard — 0% markup
When to Consider a Paid Card Instead
Free cards are great for basic needs, but consider a paid card if:
- You travel frequently and want included travel insurance
- You want purchase protection on expensive items
- You value lounge access and travel perks
- You want rewards or cashback on spending
For a full overview of all credit cards including premium options, visit our credit card comparison page.