Direct Comparison Results: See the Difference

The credit report plays a crucial role in determining a person’s creditworthiness. Anyone who has bad Schufa is considered to be less reliable in making payments. This makes it difficult to access a credit card. Nevertheless, Visa and Mastercard are often indispensable in everyday digital life, for example for online purchases or payments abroad.

So how can consumers proceed if the Schufa information is too low or banks reject the application? One possible option is Schufa-free credit cards. We spoke to an expert about the topic and compared different banks. We discovered that there are credit cards without a Schufa check – but with restrictions.

What is a credit card without Schufa?

A credit card without Schufa is interesting for consumers with bad credit or anyone who wants to avoid a Schufa check. The approval for a credit card is usually based on “a number of parameters,” explains Volker Schmidtke from the Berlin consumer advice center. “The focus is of course on regular income. But overall creditworthiness and the Schufa score are just as important.” Banks want to ensure that you make payments on your card account on time.

In contrast to a charge or revolving credit card with a credit limit, the creditworthiness of the applicant for a credit card without Schufa is not checked by the provider. However, that does not mean that there are generally no requirements. Income or job can still be relevant.

Credit cards without Schufa can be roughly divided into two categories: Prepaid and debit cards. Prepaid cards must be loaded with money in advance before you can use them to make purchases. Debit cards are directly linked to a checking account – here, like with a checking card, the money is debited from the account promptly. In both cases, the risk for the provider is lower because, unlike charge or revolt cards, no credit is granted.

“Aside from Mastercard, Visa is one of the two largest credit card providers,” says the financial expert. “Many banks and savings banks work with Visa and offer classic credit cards with a credit limit. But they can also be credit-based cards, i.e. debit cards. Prepaid cards are also available from Visa.”

Good to know: A credit card is not bad for Schufa per se, on the contrary. If you always balance your credit limit reliably, you can improve your Schufa score with a credit card. However, credit card use is only one part of Schufa scoring; other aspects such as residence or outstanding payment obligations are also relevant.

Credit card without Schufa: provider comparison

But what offers are there on the market now? We introduce you to six banks. Nevertheless, making your own comparison is still important. Before you decide on a product, you should get enough information.

The Visa debit card from Neobank Tomorrow

Our first example is the sustainable neobank Tomorrow based in Hamburg. Tomorrow offers a Visa debit card* that can be issued without a Schufa or credit check. The card is offered as part of the Tomorrow checking account and a Schufa request may only be necessary for special requests such as an overdraft. As a debit card, the amount is deducted directly from the account, so there is no credit limit.

Important information at a glance:

^{Source: Tomorrow (data status: November 2025)}

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Tomorrow Visa

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Visa debit card from Trade Republic

The Berlin neo-broker Trade Republic also has a corresponding offer. With the Trade Republic Visa debit card*, payments are deducted directly from your balance in the clearing account; a credit limit is not granted. Trade Republic also does not carry out a Schufa check, which can be particularly relevant for users without creditworthiness or with a negative Schufa score.

Important information at a glance:

^{Source: Trade Republic (data status: November 2025)}

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Die Bunq Mastercard im Check

The Dutch neobank Bunq offers the Bunq Mastercard*, a virtual or physical debit card where payments are deducted directly from the balance. It is not a credit card with a credit limit. A credit check or Schufa check is not carried out, which makes the card particularly suitable for people with limited creditworthiness.

Important information at a glance:

^{Source: Bunq (data status: November 2025)}

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Bunq Mastercard

Revolut card without Schufa

The British neobank Revolut also offers a credit card without a Schufa check. The Revolut Card*, a debit card (Visa or Mastercard), is issued without a credit limit – all transactions are immediately debited from your existing balance. When opening an account, Revolut does not carry out a Schufa or credit check as the product is balance-based and there is no credit risk.

^{Source: Revolut (data as of November 2025)}

N26 credit card in the check

The digital direct bank based in Berlin N26 has a similar model in its repertoire. The N26 “Flex Account” offers a digital checking account including a Mastercard debit card, which can be opened even if the Schufa rating is negative.

But important: N26 definitely carries out a Schufa check. The Flex account is only offered within the application process if your Schufa credit rating is not sufficient, so you cannot select it yourself. However, those who pass the test can choose the standard account at N26. The advantage: Unlike the Flex account, it is free.

Important information at a glance:

^{Source: N26 (data status: November)}

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Mastercard der N26

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Targobank checking account with overdraft limit

A disadvantage of credit cards without Schufa is that they often do not offer a credit line. For prepaid cards, only the loaded credit is available; for debit cards, the current account credit is available. However, there is a back door for debit card holders: the overdraft facility – or overdraft for short. However, many banks require positive Schufa and a regular income. Depending on the bank, an overdraft interest rate is always due for using the overdraft facility.

What is interesting at this point is the Targobank checking account with an overdraft limit* of 200 euros per month. Targobank also includes a debit card (Visa) with the current account, which is free as an online account for incoming payments of 600 euros or more per month. Otherwise, there is an account fee of 3.95 euros per month. If you are interested in a debit card with an overdraft, you should keep the overdraft interest rate in mind when making your selection.

If you would like to obtain further offers, our comparison calculator can also help. But important: No calculator offers complete market transparency. It may therefore be helpful to look at further comparisons.

How do I apply for a credit card without Schufa?

Have you already compared providers and now want to apply for a credit card? This is usually pretty quick and easy. All you have to do is start the application on the bank’s website or app and enter your personal details. A form usually guides you step by step through the process.

Documents can usually be uploaded digitally and the ID can be confirmed via Video-Ident or Post-Ident. Sometimes proof of income or registration certificate is required. With prepaid cards, you must transfer money to your card account in order to use the card. As soon as the provider has activated everything, you can activate the card – either physically with a PIN or directly in the app.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a credit card without Schufa?

Like every bank card, a credit card without Schufa also has its specific advantages and disadvantages. We weigh up:

Advantages

• No Schufa check: The biggest advantage is that there is no Schufa information or credit check. This makes these credit cards ideal for people with poor Schufa scores or who do not want to undergo this test.
• Financial flexibility: Credit cards without Schufa make it possible to make cashless payments without a traditional credit limit, which is particularly practical for online purchases or travel.
• Control over expenses: Since only top-up credit is often used or there is a low credit limit for the debit card, you can keep your expenses better under control.
• Easy approval: Compared to normal credit cards, the approval process is usually faster and, thanks to the lack of a credit check, less complicated, which makes access easier.
• Lower overall costs: There is no effective interest on a credit card without Schufa because there is no credit limit. Debit cards are also often included free of charge in checking accounts.

Disadvantages

• Restricted Use: Some credit cards without Schufa (particularly prepaid cards) cannot be used for all types of transactions, such as car rentals or hotel bookings.
• Fees: These credit cards may have higher fees for top-ups, withdrawals or certain transactions, which can make them more expensive in the long run.
• No credit limit: The lack of a credit limit can be a disadvantage if more financial resources are needed in the short term.
• Limited credit improvement: Since there is no credit limit and no Schufa check takes place, these credit cards do not help improve your Schufa score.
• Hardly any advantages to the debit card: Because neither credit lines nor additional services such as insurance or bonus programs are included, many credit cards without Schufa offer little added value compared to a debit card with a connection to the Visa or Mastercard payment system.

Alternatives to credit cards without Schufa

A credit card without Schufa often comes with higher costs. If you don’t necessarily need the benefits of a credit card, you can save money with alternatives. One option is to use a checking account with a normal checking card (EC card). Banks such as Sparkasse or Volksbanken work with the so-called on their checking cards Co-badge system. The debit cards are connected to the Visa or Mastercard payment system.

“The Girocard has the great advantage that you have a better overview of your expenses,” emphasizes Volker Schmidtke. “The money comes out of the checking account immediately when the payment is made and liabilities don’t just add up like with a credit card.” Thanks to the Co-Badge, a debit card can also be used abroad and is therefore similar to a debit card.

Another alternative are so-called payment apps. The best known include Apple Pay, Google Pay and Paypal. All three are free to use and accepted worldwide. A credit card or bank account must be stored in the payment apps. Ultimately, cash is also an alternative. Especially if consumers only want to bridge short periods of time – for example on vacation. However, it is important to remember that cash may not be accepted everywhere.

Conclusion: People with bad Schufa have these options

For consumers with weak credit ratings, debit and prepaid cards are a pragmatic solution to avoid Schufa information. Although these cards do not provide a real credit limit, approval is straightforward and the effort is manageable. However, anyone who values maximum acceptance or additional services cannot avoid a classic credit card. It is crucial to check carefully before completion which functions are really needed and what costs will be incurred.

Frequently asked questions about credit cards without Schufa

Can I apply for a credit card despite Schufa?

Yes, you can apply for a credit card despite Schufa. However, the probability that the application will be rejected by a traditional credit card provider is relatively high. It is best to inquire about the requirements in advance. There may be special conditions.

Which bank issues a credit card despite negative Schufa?

Some banks and financial institutions offer credit cards even if the Schufa score is poor. These primarily include prepaid credit cards, which must be loaded in advance, and debit credit cards, which are linked to a checking account. With a classic credit card, however, it will be difficult with negative Schufa.

How high does the Schufa score have to be for a credit card?

There is no set Schufa score that applies to all credit cards. Each bank has its own guidelines, but in general, the higher the score, the better your chances of getting a credit card with a higher credit limit. At American Express, for example, the Schufa score should be at least 95 percent in order to receive a loan or credit card. But this is just a guideline.

Is Revolut a real credit card?

No. The Revolut card is a debit card that can be used to pay worldwide. It is not a classic credit card with a credit limit. For this reason it may not be accepted everywhere. For example, providers often require a real credit card for the deposit when renting a car abroad.