Cheapest credit cards in Belgium: which ones are worth it?
Which credit cards cost the least in Belgium? Argenta, Revolut, N26 and 6 other options compared.
In Belgium, a credit card costs an average of €25-30 per year at major banks. Yet between neobanks at €0 and Argenta at €24/year, there are significantly cheaper options. The catch: not all are equal, and some "free" cards aren't real credit cards.
Argenta: no longer free since July 2025
Until 2025, Argenta was the only traditional Belgian bank offering a credit card with no annual fee. That's over. Since 1 July 2025, the Mastercard in the Green formula costs €2/month (€24/year).
The exception: 18-24 year olds still get it for free. Beyond that, €24/year remains the lowest rate in traditional banking — KBC charges €25, Belfius €26, BNP €27, ING €29.
| Bank | Card | Annual cost | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argenta | Mastercard Green | €24/year | Free for 18-24 |
| KBC | Mastercard | €25/year | KBC customer |
| Belfius | Mastercard | €26/year | Belfius customer |
| BNP Paribas Fortis | Mastercard | €27/year | BNP customer |
| CBC | Visa | Included in pack | Paid monthly package |
| ING | Visa Classic | €29/year | ING customer |
Europabank and Cofidis: credit cards without a bank account
Few Belgians know this: some credit cards don't require a current account at all.
Europabank offers a credit card with a €2,500 limit. Apply online, approval in 48 hours. Repayment by transfer from any Belgian account.
Cofidis offers a card with free ATM withdrawals worldwide — a rare advantage. The downside: revolving credit rates are among the highest in Belgium (12-14% APR).
Neobanks: Revolut, N26 and Wise at €0
Neobanks offer cards with €0 annual fees. But these are debit cards, not credit cards. No payment facilities, no revolving credit.
| Neobank | Cost | Exchange fees | ATM withdrawals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut Standard | €0 | 0% up to €1,000/month | €200/month free |
| N26 Standard | €0 | 0% in euro zone | 3/month free |
| Wise | €7 (issuance) | Real rate, ~0.4% margin | 2/month free |
For euro zone spending with little cash withdrawals, N26 Standard is enough. For non-euro travel, Revolut Standard is the best free option. Wise makes sense for international transfers.
Not sure which? Our personalised quiz helps you decide in 2 minutes.
How to choose?
Need a real credit line? Argenta, Europabank or Cofidis — neobanks only offer debit.
Travel outside the euro zone? Traditional banks charge 1.5% exchange fees. Revolut and Wise eliminate them.
Want a physical contact? Argenta has 400 branches. Neobanks do everything by chat.
My recommendation: take Argenta as your main card (€24/year) and Revolut for travel (€0). The combo covers 95% of needs. Compare on our traditional bank comparator.
Traps to avoid
Inactivity fees. N26 charges €2.90/month after 3 months without a transaction.
ATM fees. A "free" card charging €2 per withdrawal costs €48/year if you withdraw cash twice a week.
The package illusion. KBC, CBC and Belfius present the card as "included" in a monthly pack at €4-7/month (€48-84/year). The card isn't free — it's funded by the subscription.
FAQ
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Frequently asked questions
Argenta Mastercard at €24/year (€2/month). Free only for 18-24 year olds. It's the cheapest among major Belgian banks.
Yes. Europabank offers a credit card with a €2,500 limit without requiring a current account.
No. Revolut, N26 and Wise offer debit cards. No payment facilities or revolving credit.
Common traps: ATM fees beyond quota (N26 charges €2 after 2 free withdrawals), exchange fees beyond Revolut's cap, and inactivity fees.
No. Since July 2025, the Argenta Mastercard Green formula costs €2/month (€24/year). Free only for 18-24 year olds.
Revolut Standard (0% exchange fees up to €1,000/month) or Wise (real exchange rate, 0.35% margin). Traditional banks charge 1.5%.
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Specialist in Belgian banking products for 8 years. Former bank advisor, now an independent financial writer.