Best credit card in Belgium (2026)
Updated · figures checked 2 November 2026
The short version
- In Belgium a credit card almost always comes with a current account at the same bank, so choose the bank first and the card second.
- If you want to apply from abroad and deal with the bank in English, KBC Brussels fits: the card is free with any of its current accounts (subject to approval), the site and app are in English, and you can apply from abroad.
- Keytrade Bank gives Visa cards up to Platinum for free if you use them regularly; ING is the only bank here that publishes a zero exchange margin, on its top cards.
- Some Belgian cards are revolving credit that charges interest on what you do not repay; pay the full balance each month and check the APR before you sign.
Not rated: American Express (Belgium). Their official pages could not be read when we checked, so we do not score them rather than guess.
Values link to the provider page we read on the date shown on hover. Prices change: confirm on the provider's site before you sign.
Sooner or later a newcomer to Belgium needs a credit card. Belgian debit cards cover groceries, rent and most shops, but car rental desks, many hotels, some airlines and some foreign websites want a credit card. If you arrived with a card from home, it may still work, but foreign currency fees, a foreign billing address and the risk of a blocked card make a Belgian one worth having.
The Belgian market works differently from the UK or the US. Almost every card is sold by a bank to its own current account holders, often bundled into a monthly pack. There is little competition between standalone cards and almost no “no-account” credit card on offer from the banks we checked. So the real question is: which bank will give you a card, at what yearly cost, and on what terms?
This guide compares the credit cards of eight banks on the yearly cost of the cheapest card, the network, whether you need an account, the fee on payments in other currencies, the interest rate (APR, called TAEG in French and JKP in Dutch) and the credit limit. We also cover what approval looks like for someone without a Belgian credit history.
How to choose a credit card in Belgium
The card comes with an account
Belgian bank credit cards are usually sold with a current account or pack: KBC Brussels includes one free (subject to approval) with its accounts, ING includes Visa Classic in ING More. (source, checked 2 November 2026) In practice, you open a current account and then apply for the card. If you already have an account at one bank, start there: the card is cheaper and the approval easier with a bank that sees your salary arrive each month. If you are choosing a bank now, read our guide to the best bank for expats in Belgium together with this one.
Approval as a newcomer
Banks in this guide say their cards are subject to approval. Expect the bank to look at your income, your contract and whether your salary is paid into its account. A new arrival on a probation period, or someone not yet paid in Belgium, may be offered a lower limit or asked to wait. Where a bank publishes its limits, we show them in the table. Do not apply to several banks at once in the hope that one says yes: wait until your first Belgian salary has arrived and apply at the bank that receives it.
Deferred debit or revolving credit
Belgian “credit cards” come in two kinds. With a deferred debit card, your spending for the month is collected in one go from your current account the following month, and no interest is charged. KBC Brussels says its card works this way, with spending debited at the start of the following month. With a revolving credit card, you can repay only a minimum each month and the rest carries interest. Beobank credit cards carry a TAEG of 13.49% to 16.49% depending on the card. (source, checked 2 November 2026)
Revolving credit is consumer credit under Belgian law, with maximum interest rates set by the authorities. You can read the rules on the FPS Economy website (checked 2 November 2026). Our advice is simple: pay the full balance each month, whatever the card.
Fees on payments in other currencies
When you pay in pounds, dollars or dirhams, the bank adds an exchange margin on top of the rate. This is often the biggest cost for expats who travel home or shop abroad. ING charges a 0.00% exchange margin on Visa Platinum/Infinite versus 2.00% on Visa Classic and 3.90% on its debit card. (source, checked 2 November 2026) Belfius and Argenta publish their margins too. Several banks did not publish theirs on the pages we read, which the table shows as “check current price”.
Insurance and extras
Higher card tiers add travel insurance, purchase protection, airline miles or lounge access. KBC Brussels sells optional insurance packages on top of its card. Hello bank! includes purchase protection. Beobank offers airline-linked cards. Only pay for these if you will use them; your home insurance or a separate travel policy may already cover you.
The providers compared
The order follows the scores in the table. Every figure links to the page we read on 2 November 2026.
1. KBC Brussels 7.4/10
Ranked 1 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Expats in Brussels opening a KBC Brussels account anyway.
KBC Brussels is the Brussels brand of KBC Bank. Its credit card is a Mastercard, and the pricing is simple: €0 with Basic (€2.50/month) or Plus (€4.25/month) account. Account required: Yes. The card is free with every current account KBC Brussels sells, subject to approval. The credit limit is set case by case: Subject to approval. Spending is debited from your account at the start of the following month, so the card works as a deferred debit card.
Its main strength for expats is the route in. KBC Brussels lets expats apply for its Plus Account online from abroad, without a permanent Belgian address, and the credit card is part of that account. On arrival you visit a branch with your ID and residence permit. The site and app are in English, French and Dutch, and service runs through a phone line, a digital assistant in the app around the clock and branches.
Two values were not on the pages we read: the exchange margin on non-euro payments (check current price) and the APR (check current price). Optional insurance packages for shopping, travel and premium cover cost extra per month.
It suits newcomers to Brussels who open a KBC Brussels account anyway and want a card from day one. If you live in Flanders or Wallonia, KBC and CBC are the regional brands of the same group.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €0 with Basic (€2.50/month) or Plus (€4.25/month) account
- Network
- Mastercard
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- check current price
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- Subject to approval
What works
- Free card with account
- English service
Watch out
- Requires a KBC Brussels account (from €2.50/month)
- FX fee not collected
How this 7.4/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 8/10 | Card itself free with any KBC Brussels current account; optional packages €1.50, €7 or €25 per month. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 6/10 | Site and app in English. |
| Service (20%) | 8/10 | Phone, 24/7 digital assistant, branches. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 7/10 | Expats can apply for the Plus Account (with card) from abroad. |
| Digital (5%) | 8/10 | Managed in KBC Brussels Mobile; Apple Pay via app. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI 6B2PBRV1FCJDMR45RZ53 (checked 2026-11-02).
2. Keytrade Bank 6.7/10
Ranked 2 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Online bank users wanting a free premium card.
Keytrade Bank is the Belgian branch of Arkéa Direct Bank, a French bank, and works online only. Its cards are a strong deal. Keytrade Bank's Visa Classic, Gold and Platinum are free if used at least 12 times a year. (source, checked 2 November 2026) In the table that reads €0 if used at least 12 times a year, on the Visa network. The first year is free, and after that you keep the card free by using it regularly. If you use it less, a fee applies; the amount was not on the pages we read.
You need a Keytrade current account: Yes. That account is free, and non-Belgian residents can open it with a passport, but you must live in Belgium or be tax resident there. A Belgian mobile number is needed to activate cards remotely. The exchange margin (check current price), APR (check current price) and credit limit (not published) were not on the pages we read.
Service is by phone and email, with appointments at the Brussels office, and there are no branches.
It suits residents who want a free Gold or Platinum card and are happy with an online bank. It is not for people who rarely use a card, because the free status depends on use.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €0 if used at least 12 times a year
- Network
- Visa
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- check current price
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- not published
What works
- Free Gold and Platinum cards
Watch out
- Fee if under 12 uses (amount not collected)
How this 6.7/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 9/10 | Visa Classic, Gold and Platinum free with 12 uses a year; free first year. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 4/10 | English website. |
| Service (20%) | 5/10 | Phone/email; no branches. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 8/10 | Online; passport accepted for non-Belgian residents. |
| Digital (5%) | 6/10 | Belgian mobile needed for remote card activation. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI 969500EYUH381IUM2589 (checked 2026-11-02).
3. ING Belgium 6.3/10
Ranked 3 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: ING customers; frequent travellers on ING Extra.
ING Belgium sells its credit cards inside its account packs. With the entry pack, the Visa Classic costs €2.25/month with ING Go (€27/year, derived); included in ING More (€7.90 or €3.90/month). Gold cards cost more, the Visa Platinum is included in the ING Extra pack and the Visa Infinite, with lounge access and a concierge, in ING Max. You need an ING account: Yes. Networks: Visa / Mastercard.
ING is the only bank in this guide that publishes a zero exchange margin. The fee on non-euro payments is 2.00% (0% Platinum). The debit card margin is higher, so if you pay in other currencies, use the credit card rather than the debit card. If you travel outside the euro zone often, compare the price of the Extra pack with what you would pay in exchange margins on a Classic card.
The APR (check current price) and the credit limit (not published) were not on the pages we read.
ING’s main advantage for newcomers is access. Since October 2026 residents of the EEA can open an ING account in the app with a passport or eID and a selfie, with a Belgian address and national number to follow within a deadline. The pricing list is in English, and service runs through a weekday phone line, a 24/7 chat and branches.
It suits ING customers, and frequent travellers who will pay for a higher pack to get a zero exchange margin.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €2.25/month with ING Go (€27/year, derived); included in ING More (€7.90 or €3.90/month)
- Network
- Visa / Mastercard
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- 2.00% (0% Platinum)
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- not published
What works
- 0% FX on Platinum/Infinite
- Card included in ING More
Watch out
- Visa Classic charged monthly on ING Go
How this 6.3/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 6/10 | Visa Classic €2.25/month or included in ING More; Platinum (0% FX) included in ING Extra at €19.90/month. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 4/10 | English pricing brochure and website. |
| Service (20%) | 8/10 | Phone weekdays 8-18 and chat 24/7, branches. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 9/10 | Digital EEA onboarding with passport. |
| Digital (5%) | 8/10 | App onboarding. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI JLS56RAMYQZECFUF2G44 (checked 2026-11-02).
4. Beobank 6.1/10
Ranked 4 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Residents wanting a low-fee card or airline miles.
Beobank, a Belgian bank of the French Crédit Mutuel group, has the widest range in this guide: a long list of credit cards, from basic Visa and Mastercard cards to cashback, travel and airline cards. The cheapest cost €5/year (Visa Classic, Mastercard Classic, Visa Gold). Networks: Visa / Mastercard.
The important difference is that Beobank cards are revolving credit. The APR is 13.49%-16.49%, depending on the card, and you can repay a minimum each month. If you do, the rest carries interest. Set up a full repayment each month and the card stays cheap; leave a balance and it becomes expensive. The credit limit is listed as Varies: it depends on the card and on your profile.
Beobank did not say on the card pages whether you need a Beobank current account: not published. The exchange margin was check current price. The website has an English version, but the card pages we read were in French. Opening a current account online needs a Belgian eID and itsme; branches are the alternative.
It suits residents who want a low yearly fee, cashback or airline miles, and who are disciplined about paying in full. It does not suit anyone likely to carry a balance.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €5/year (Visa Classic, Mastercard Classic, Visa Gold)
- Network
- Visa / Mastercard
- Account required
- not published
- Fee on non-euro payments
- check current price
- APR (TAEG)
- 13.49%-16.49%
- Credit limit
- Varies
What works
- Cheapest yearly fee (€5)
- Wide choice incl. airline miles
Watch out
- Revolving credit: interest if not repaid in full
How this 6.1/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 8/10 | Cheapest cards €5/year; cashback and airline cards €20-€180/year; revolving credit at 13.49%-16.49% TAEG. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 4/10 | English website; card pages fetched in French. |
| Service (20%) | 6/10 | Branches and online. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 4/10 | Online opening needs Belgian eID (current account). |
| Digital (5%) | 6/10 | itsme, Apple Pay on accounts. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI 529900GQWNQZIWLG8D46 (checked 2026-11-02).
5. Hello bank! 5.1/10
Ranked 5 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Hello bank! customers.
Hello bank! is the app brand of BNP Paribas Fortis. Its Hello Visa Classic (Visa) costs €2.25/month (€27/year); first year free for Hello4You up to 27. The credit limit is €250-€5,000, subject to approval by BNP Paribas Fortis. The card includes purchase protection insurance for in-store and online purchases.
You need a Hello bank! account: Yes. That account is free, but it requires a Belgian identity card, main residence in Belgium and an age of at least 18, and its FAQ says American nationals cannot become customers because of FATCA, the US tax reporting law. The exchange margin (check current price) and APR (check current price) were not on the pages we read.
The website is in English. Contact is through the Hello Team; there are no Hello bank! branches.
It suits young residents with a Belgian identity card who already use Hello bank! for everyday banking. It is not available in your first weeks or to US citizens.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €2.25/month (€27/year); first year free for Hello4You up to 27
- Network
- Visa
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- check current price
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- €250-€5,000
What works
- First year free for Hello4You members (up to 27)
- Purchase protection
Watch out
- Belgian ID card required
How this 5.1/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 6/10 | €27/year; first year free for Hello4You members up to age 27. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 4/10 | English website. |
| Service (20%) | 5/10 | Hello Team. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 3/10 | Belgian ID card required; not for US nationals. |
| Digital (5%) | 8/10 | Mobile payments free. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI KGCEPHLVVKVRZYO1T647 (checked 2026-11-02).
6. Belfius 4.9/10
Ranked 6 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Belfius customers.
Belfius sells its credit cards per card or inside its Beats packs. The cheapest card costs €1.93/month (Mastercard Credit New / Visa Classic; €23.16/year derived), on Mastercard / Visa. Gold and Platinum cards cost more, and up to two entry cards are included in some Beats packs. You need a Belfius account: Yes.
Belfius publishes its exchange margin on non-euro card payments: 1.50%. That is lower than the published Classic-card margins at ING and Argenta, which makes Belfius a reasonable choice for occasional travel without paying for a premium pack. The APR (check current price) and the credit limit (not published) were not on the pages we read.
For an expat the obstacle is language and access. The tariff brochure and retail pages we read were in French, with no English retail page. Online onboarding goes through the Belfius Mobile app and itsme, and Belfius does not publish its conditions for foreigners. Service runs through branches and Belfius Direct Phone.
It suits Belfius customers who read French or Dutch.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €1.93/month (Mastercard Credit New / Visa Classic; €23.16/year derived)
- Network
- Mastercard / Visa
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- 1.50%
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- not published
What works
- Low FX margin (1.50%)
- Cheap entry card
Watch out
- Little English
How this 4.9/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 7/10 | Cheapest card €1.93/month; 1.50% FX margin; cards included in Beats New/Star. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 2/10 | French brochure; no English retail pages found. |
| Service (20%) | 5/10 | Branches and Direct Phone. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 3/10 | Opening via itsme; foreigners' conditions not published. |
| Digital (5%) | 6/10 | Mobile payments included. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI A5GWLFH3KM7YV2SFQL84 (checked 2026-11-02).
7. Argenta 4.3/10
Ranked 7 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Argenta customers.
Argenta’s credit card costs €2/month (€24/year) with Green-pakket; included in Silver/Gold. With the free Green-pakket you pay for the card; with the Silver-pakket two cards are included in the pack price. The network was not published on the pages we read. You need an Argenta account: Yes.
Argenta publishes its standard limits: €1,250-€5,000, depending on the pack. The exchange margin on non-euro credit card payments is 1.60%. Cash withdrawals abroad with the credit card carry a fixed fee, so use a debit card or a multi-currency account for cash. The APR was check current price.
The website is in Dutch and French only, and the fee documents are in Dutch. To become a client you fill in a contact form and choose a branch; documents and conditions are not published.
It suits Argenta customers who speak Dutch or French, especially those already on the free Green-pakket.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- €2/month (€24/year) with Green-pakket; included in Silver/Gold
- Network
- not published
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- 1.60%
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- €1,250-€5,000
What works
- Low cost with free account
Watch out
- No English
How this 4.3/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 7/10 | €24/year with free Green account, or included in Silver at €3.50/month; 1.60% FX. |
| English accessibility (25%) | 0/10 | No English website. |
| Service (20%) | 5/10 | Branch network. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 2/10 | Opening conditions not published. |
| Digital (5%) | 5/10 | Argenta app. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI A6NZLYKYN1UV7VVGFX65 (checked 2026-11-02).
8. Crelan 3.9/10
Ranked 8 of 8 rated providers in this guide.
Best for: Crelan customers.
Crelan is a Belgian cooperative bank with local agencies. Its cheapest card is Visa Classic €2/month (€24/year), on Visa; a Visa Gold costs more, and the Excellence Pack includes two Visa Gold cards. You need a Crelan account: Yes. Crelan charges a percentage plus a fixed fee for cash withdrawals with the credit card, so keep it for payments.
Several key terms were not on the pages we read: the exchange margin (check current price), the APR (check current price) and the credit limit (not published). All documents we found were in French, and Crelan does not publish its opening conditions.
It suits existing Crelan customers, particularly cooperative members who get pack discounts. For a newcomer, the language and the missing information are its weak points.
- Cheapest card, yearly cost
- Visa Classic €2/month (€24/year)
- Network
- Visa
- Account required
- Yes
- Fee on non-euro payments
- check current price
- APR (TAEG)
- check current price
- Credit limit
- not published
What works
- Gold cards bundled in Excellence Pack
Watch out
- No English
How this 3.9/10 is calculated
Verified criteria carry 100% of the scoring weight. Criteria we could not verify are left out and the others are reweighted.
| Product quality (40%) | 6/10 | Visa Classic €24/year; Visa Gold €52.80/year; 2 Visa Gold included in Excellence Pack (€8/month). |
| English accessibility (25%) | 0/10 | French documents only. |
| Service (20%) | 5/10 | Agency network. |
| Simplicity (10%) | 2/10 | Conditions not published. |
| Digital (5%) | 5/10 | myCrelan/Crelan Mobile. |
Regulator: ECB (Single Supervisory Mechanism), LEI 549300DYPOFMXOR7XM56 (checked 2026-11-02).
American Express is not rated. Its Belgian website could not be loaded when we checked (the request failed with a technical error), so we have no verified data on the issuer, its fees or its conditions. The table lists it as not rated. If you want an American Express card, read its Belgian site yourself. Neobank credit cards (bunq, N26, Revolut) are not covered either, because we found no official page with their Belgian terms.
If you have just arrived
Your options depend on the account you can open. KBC Brussels is the only bank here that publishes a route from abroad with the card built into the account, so a Brussels newcomer can arrive with a card on its way. EEA residents can open an ING account in the app and then apply for a card, once the profile is complete. Keytrade Bank works once you live in Belgium, with a passport. Hello bank!, Beobank (online) and Belfius need a Belgian card or itsme first.
Expect the first limit to be modest. Banks base it on what they know about you, and as a newcomer that is little. Ask for an increase after a few months of salary into the account.
If you travel or shop in other currencies
The exchange margin matters more than the yearly fee. ING’s Platinum and Infinite cards are the only ones here with a published zero margin, at the price of a higher pack. Among the cheaper cards, Belfius publishes a lower margin than ING’s Classic card or Argenta’s card. For large transfers abroad, a card is the wrong tool altogether; see our guide to the best way to send money abroad from Belgium.
If you want to avoid paying interest
Choose a deferred debit card, or set your revolving card to full repayment. KBC Brussels collects spending in full at the start of the following month. Beobank cards are revolving credit with a minimum monthly repayment; if you only pay the minimum, interest runs on the rest. For any card, ask the bank in writing whether it is a deferred debit card or a credit line, and what the APR is.
If you are a US citizen
Hello bank! states that it does not accept American nationals. The other banks did not publish a restriction on the pages we read. Since a card needs an account, ask about US persons before you open the account, not when you apply for the card.
Step by step: getting your first Belgian credit card
- Open a current account at a bank whose card suits you. Check the documents you need in our bank finder.
- Have your salary paid into it. Approval and limits depend on what the bank sees.
- Compare the card tiers of that bank: yearly cost, exchange margin, insurance.
- Apply in the app, online or at a branch. Expect questions on income and employment.
- Check the repayment mode when the card arrives and set full repayment if it is revolving credit.
- Activate the card. Keytrade Bank, for example, needs a Belgian mobile number to do this remotely.
- Add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay where your bank supports it.
Our verdict
For most newcomers, KBC Brussels comes out ahead in the table. If you want to apply before you arrive and deal with the bank in English, KBC Brussels is the one to choose: a free Mastercard with any of its accounts, English service, and a route from abroad. Keytrade Bank is the best value for residents who bank online, with free Visa cards up to Platinum for regular users. ING is the choice for frequent travellers willing to pay for a pack with a zero exchange margin. Beobank offers the cheapest yearly fees and airline cards, but its cards are revolving credit, so only for people who pay in full. Hello bank!, Belfius, Argenta and Crelan make sense if you already bank with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a credit card as a newcomer?
Most cards need a current account at the same bank and are subject to approval: e.g. KBC Brussels (free with account), Hello bank! (limit €250-€5,000 subject to approval). Source.
Which credit card is cheapest?
Keytrade cards are free with 12 uses a year; KBC Brussels' card is free with a current account; Beobank Visa/Mastercard Classic cost €5 a year. Source.
Which card has no foreign exchange fee?
ING Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite apply a 0.00% exchange margin (ING Extra and ING Max packs). Source.
Is a Belgian credit card a loan?
Some are revolving credit: Beobank cards have a TAEG of 13.49%-16.49% with minimum monthly repayments; KBC's card debits spending at the start of the following month. Source.
Do Belgian credit cards include insurance?
Often as an option or in packs: KBC sells Shopping (€1.50/month) and Travel (€7/month) packages; Hello bank! Visa includes purchase protection. Source.
Official sources
- ECB List of supervised entities (cut-off 1 January 2026), checked 2 November 2026
- www.kbcbrussels.be: Belgian bank credit cards are usually sold with a current account or pack: KBC Brussels includes one free (subject to… (checked 2 November 2026)
- assets.ing.com: ING charges a 0.00% exchange margin on Visa Platinum/Infinite versus 2.00% on Visa Classic and 3.90% on its debit card. (checked 2 November 2026)
- www.beobank.be: Beobank credit cards carry a TAEG of 13.49% to 16.49% depending on the card. (checked 2 November 2026)
- www.keytradebank.be: Keytrade Bank's Visa Classic, Gold and Platinum are free if used at least 12 times a year. (checked 2 November 2026)