# Best Student Credit Cards in Austria (2026) > Updated June 6 2026. Compare the best student credit cards in Austria: card complete Student Card, BAWAG Gold, Bank Austria Mastercard Gold Student, N26, and more. Fees, requirements, and how to apply. Updated: June 6 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/student-credit-cards Updated June 2026. Most Austrian banks offer **free or reduced-fee student card variants up to age 26 or 27**. The **card complete Student Card**, **BAWAG student Gold**, **Bank Austria Mastercard Gold Student**, and **Diners Club Student Card** are the main options. The **easy kreditkarte gold** is free with an easy plus account. Students with little or no income usually start with a **free debit or prepaid card from N26 or Revolut**. **Proof of enrolment** is required by all issuers. ## What Is the Best Student Credit Card in Austria? For students with **no income**, the **N26 Standard** (free Mastercard debit) is the easiest starting point: no income proof, no annual fee, and instant online signup. For students who want a true credit card, the **card complete Student Card** is the most widely available option, followed by the **BAWAG student Gold** and the **Bank Austria Mastercard Gold Student**. All student-tier cards require **proof of enrolment** and are typically capped at **age 26 to 27**. Best Free ### N26 Standard 4.5N26's free tier provides a virtual Mastercard debit card linked to an N26 bank account. No income proof needed, no annual fee, and the app is available in English. Accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted online and in person. Why we recommend it: No income requirement, no annual fee, and instant online signup make it the easiest first card for students in Austria. Best for: Students with no regular income who need a free card accepted everywhere Mastercard is Pros - +No annual fee, permanently free - +No income requirement - +Fully English-language app - +Instant virtual card after signup Cons - −Debit card, not a true credit card - −No physical branch access - −Limited free ATM withdrawals - No annual fee - No income requirement for signup - Virtual card issued instantly - Up to 3 free ATM withdrawals per month in the eurozone - English-language app and support - No foreign transaction fees on card payments [Get N26 Standard](https://n26.com/de-at)Best Student Card ### card complete Student Card 4.2card complete Service Bank AG issues student-priced credit cards through Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, and BAWAG. The student variant offers reduced fees and travel protection for enrolled students up to approximately age 26. A small credit line is included. Why we recommend it: The most widely available dedicated student credit card in Austria, with travel protection and reduced student fees up to age 26. Best for: Enrolled students who bank with Erste, Raiffeisen, or BAWAG and want a real credit card with travel protection Pros - +Dedicated student pricing tier - +Travel insurance included - +Available through major Austrian banks - +Real credit line for emergencies Cons - −Requires existing bank relationship - −Application mostly in German - −KSV1870 check required - Student-priced annual fee (reduced or free depending on bank) - Travel cancellation and medical insurance included - Available through Erste, Raiffeisen, and BAWAG - Contactless payment and Apple Pay or Google Pay - Valid up to age 26 or 27 depending on issuer [Apply via card complete](https://www.cardcomplete.com) ### BAWAG Kreditkarte GOLD (student variant) 4.1BAWAG offers a student or apprentice variant of the Kreditkarte GOLD with reduced fees and a EUR 3,000 credit line. Travel insurance is included. Available to enrolled students up to approximately age 26 who hold a BAWAG current account. Why we recommend it: Combines a real credit line of EUR 3,000 with student pricing and travel insurance, available at any BAWAG branch. Best for: Students with a BAWAG current account who want a credit line and travel insurance at reduced cost Pros - +EUR 3,000 credit line included - +Travel insurance included - +Reduced or free for enrolled students - +BAWAG branch network for in-person support Cons - −Requires BAWAG account - −Application in German - −Credit line subject to underwriting - EUR 3,000 credit line - Travel insurance included - Reduced or free annual fee for students - Contactless payment - Available up to age 26 or 27 [Apply at BAWAG](https://www.bawag.at) ### Bank Austria Mastercard Gold Student 4.0Bank Austria offers a Mastercard Gold variant with student pricing for enrolled students. Full integration with the Bank Austria mobile banking app. Student pricing applies up to the age limit specified at the time of application, typically around age 26. Why we recommend it: Best option for students who already hold a Bank Austria current account, with integrated mobile banking and student-tier fees. Best for: Students with an existing Bank Austria account who want premium card features at a student price Pros - +Full Bank Austria app integration - +Student pricing for enrolled students - +Mastercard Gold benefits included - +Strong domestic acceptance Cons - −Requires Bank Austria account - −Application process in German - −Fee reverts to standard after age threshold - Student-priced annual fee - Mastercard Gold travel benefits - Bank Austria mobile app integration - Contactless payment and Apple Pay or Google Pay - Valid for enrolled students up to age 26 [Apply at Bank Austria](https://www.bankaustria.at) ## Can Students Get a Credit Card Without Income in Austria? Most Austrian credit card issuers require **proof of income** for underwriting. Students with **little or no income** typically do not qualify for traditional revolving credit cards. The practical path is to start with a **free debit card from N26 or Revolut**, which have no income requirement and are accepted everywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted. According to the [OeNB (Oesterreichische Nationalbank)](https://www.oenb.at), debit cards dominate everyday payments in Austria, so a debit-first strategy is practical for most purchases. Some issuers offer student-specific variants with **lower income thresholds** or **parental co-signing**. The **card complete Student Card** and the **BAWAG student Gold** are two options with reduced underwriting requirements for enrolled students. Both still require a **Meldezettel** and an **Austrian IBAN**. ## Do You Need a Card at All as a Student? Not necessarily. For most day-to-day student spending, a **free debit card or prepaid card** covers every payment scenario. The **N26 Standard** Mastercard debit card is free, has no income requirement, and works for online shopping, subscriptions, and contactless payments in Austria and abroad. **Revolut** is a popular alternative with built-in budgeting features. A true credit card becomes useful for **car rental deposits**, **hotel pre-authorisations**, and **booking travel** where a debit card is not accepted. If you need those features occasionally, the **easy kreditkarte gold** is free with an easy plus account and requires no separate credit application. **Prepaid Visa or Mastercard** cards are a third option for students who want a credit-network card without any credit risk. They work everywhere but require topping up in advance and do not build any credit history. ## How Much Do Student Cards Cost? Student-tier pricing is typically **free or significantly reduced** compared to standard adult cards. Most issuers cap student pricing at **age 26 to 27**. After that age, the card automatically reverts to the standard adult fee unless you cancel or request a renegotiation. | Card | Issuer | Student fee | Type | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [N26 Standard](https://n26.com/de-at) | N26 | EUR 0 | Debit Mastercard | No-income students | | [card complete Student Card](https://www.cardcomplete.com) | card complete | Reduced (varies by bank) | Credit (charge card) | Enrolled students up to 26 | | [BAWAG Kreditkarte GOLD (student)](https://www.bawag.at) | BAWAG | Free or reduced | Credit (Gold) | BAWAG account holders | | [Bank Austria Mastercard Gold Student](https://www.bankaustria.at) | Bank Austria | Student pricing (varies) | Credit (Mastercard Gold) | Bank Austria customers | | [Diners Club Student Card](https://www.diners.at) | Diners Club | Reduced student fee | Charge card | Students wanting Diners acceptance | | [PayLife student cards](https://www.paylife.at) | PayLife (card complete) | Reduced student fee | Credit (Visa or Mastercard) | Students via PayLife network | | [easy kreditkarte gold](https://www.easybank.at) | easy bank (Bank Austria) | EUR 0 (free with easy plus) | Credit (Visa Gold) | easy plus account holders | Sources: Bank websites, card complete, BAWAG, Bank Austria, easy bank. Fees as of June 2026. ## What Documents Do Students Need to Apply? To apply for a student credit card in Austria, you typically need the following. **Proof of enrolment** (Immatrikulationsbestätigung from your university or Fachhochschule) is the core document that unlocks student pricing. In addition, most issuers require a **valid passport or national ID**, a **Meldezettel** (Austrian residence registration confirming your Austrian address), and an **Austrian IBAN** for the monthly charge debit. For students with income (part-time work, scholarship, or stipend), a recent **payslip or income confirmation** improves approval chances and may unlock a higher credit limit. For students with no income, some issuers accept a **parental guarantee**. A **KSV1870** check is standard; a short but clean record is fine for most student applications. International students from EU countries should check whether their non-Austrian IBAN is accepted. **N26** and **easy bank** are most flexible here. For non-EU students, a registered Austrian address (Meldezettel) is especially important as it establishes Austrian jurisdiction for the credit agreement. ## Related Guides [### Best Credit Cards for Expats The full guide to Austrian credit cards for new arrivals, including fee comparisons and application steps.](/banking/credit-cards)[### Studying in Austria Universities, tuition fees, student visa requirements, and living costs for international students.](/education)[### Fintech Apps in Austria N26, Revolut, bunq, and Wise compared for students and new arrivals who want a digital-first account.](/banking/fintech-apps)[### Open a Bank Account Step-by-step guide to opening your first Austrian bank account, including student account options.](/banking/open-bank-account) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can students get a credit card without a job in Austria? Yes, but options are limited. Most Austrian banks require **proof of enrolment** and an **Austrian address**. Students with little or no income typically start with a free debit card from **N26** or **Revolut**, which have no income requirement. Once enrolled and registered (**Meldezettel**), some student-specific card variants from **card complete** or **Bank Austria** are available with **reduced income thresholds**. ### How old do you have to be to get a student credit card in Austria? You must be at least **18 years old** to sign a credit contract in Austria. Student card variants are typically available up to **age 26 or 27**. The **easy kreditkarte gold**, the **BAWAG** student Gold, and the **card complete Student Card** all specify an upper age limit around **26 to 27** for the student pricing tier. ### What documents do students need to apply for a credit card in Austria? Typically: a valid **student ID or enrolment confirmation** (Immatrikulationsbestätigung), a valid **passport or national ID**, **Meldezettel** (Austrian residence registration), an **Austrian bank account IBAN**, and proof of any income or a **parental guarantee** if required by the issuer. Some issuers check **KSV1870**; a clean record helps even if it is short. ### Is the N26 Standard card a real credit card? No. The **N26 Standard** card is a **Mastercard debit card**, not a credit card. It deducts money directly from your N26 account. It is accepted everywhere **Mastercard** is accepted and has **no annual fee**, making it the default recommendation for students with no income. **N26** does not offer a revolving credit product in Austria. ### What is the easy kreditkarte gold and how do students get it free? The **easy kreditkarte gold** is a Visa card issued via **easy bank** (a direct bank subsidiary of **Bank Austria**). It is available **free of charge** with an **easy plus account**. Students who open the easy plus current account automatically qualify for the card with **no separate annual fee**. The card includes **travel insurance** and has no foreign transaction fee surcharge in the eurozone. --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/student-credit-cards Last updated: Updated: June 6 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.