Credit Card in Belgium: Which Bank to Choose?

Six traditional Belgian banks, six credit card ranges, and annual costs that vary threefold. We compared ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, Belfius, Argenta and Beobank to find the best fit depending on your spending profile. If you're an expat in Belgium, this comparison covers the main banks you'll encounter when opening an account.

How Much Does a Belgian Bank Credit Card Really Cost?

From €20 to over €200 per year, depending on the bank and the plan. The classic trap: comparing the advertised "card fee" without factoring in the mandatory banking package that comes with it.

At ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC and Belfius, the credit card is tied to a paid banking package. The "€0 card fee" at BNP or KBC is meaningless if you're paying €3.50 or €4.25/month for the package that contains it. Argenta is more transparent: the Green plan at €2/month includes everything (account, card, app). Beobank goes further with a standalone card at €20/year, no current account required.

Key detail: at ING, the Visa Classic also works with the free Lion Account (€27/year card fee only). It's one of the rare cases where the credit card is separable from the paid package. Since 1 January 2026, ING switched to monthly billing, which changes the repayment rhythm for existing cardholders. See our full ING card review for details.

Do I Need a Banking Package to Get the Card?

Yes at KBC (Compte Plus mandatory, raised from €3.75 to €4.25/month on 1 January 2026), BNP (Comfort or Premium Pack) and Belfius (Beats pack or standalone card at €1.93/month, a less attractive option). No at Beobank (standalone card) and Argenta (card included in all plans). ING sits in between: the Visa Classic works with the free Lion Account, but the Mastercard Gold requires a paid account.

What FX Fees Does Each Bank Charge Outside the Eurozone?

Belfius is cheapest at 1.50% FX margin. BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC charge 1.60%. ING charges 2%, the highest of the six major Belgian banks. On a trip to London with €2,000 spent in GBP, the gap between Belfius and ING comes to €10.

What this means for you: if you travel regularly outside the eurozone, Belfius and BNP cost less on currency conversion. Within the eurozone, the FX margin doesn't apply and the total annual cost matters more. For a complete guide to foreign payment fees, see our article on paying abroad with a credit card.

How to Avoid ATM Withdrawal Fees Abroad?

Don't withdraw. Cash withdrawals with a Belgian credit card cost between €5 and €8 per transaction, plus a percentage. It's the most expensive line item across all banks. Contactless or PIN payments only incur the FX margin. For regular ATM withdrawals abroad, neobanks do much better: Revolut and N26 offer several free withdrawals per month.

Which Bank Includes the Best Travel Insurance?

The ING Mastercard Gold (€51/year) is the most generous: 7 covers, including trip cancellation (€6,000), travel accident (€200,000), purchase protection (€4,000 over 200 days) and manufacturer warranty extension (+12 months). It's the best coverage-to-price ratio on the Belgian traditional bank market as of June 2026.

KBC switched to modular insurance packs following its late 2025 restructuring. The Travel Pack at €7/month (€84/year) covers cancellation (€10,000), car rental excess (€2,500) and luggage. The Shopping Pack at €1.50/month adds purchase protection (€3,000) and extended warranty (+2 years). More expensive overall, but more flexible: you only pay for the covers you need. Full details in our KBC review.

Belfius Beats Star (€5.90/month, €70.80/year) includes trip cancellation (€6,000) in the base package, insured by Zurich Insurance Europe AG since January 2026 (replacing the former provider AIG). The excess is €50 per claim, among the lowest on the Belgian market.

BNP, Argenta and Beobank do not include travel insurance in their base cards. At BNP, you need to upgrade to the Gold tier via the Premium Pack. Argenta and Beobank offer no built-in insurance option.

Why Is Beobank the Only Bank Offering Cashback?

Beobank Extra Mastercard and Visa Extra give 1% cashback on all purchases, capped at €100/year, for a €20/year fee. It's the only traditional Belgian bank offering a direct return on card spending.

In practice, the maximum net gain is €80/year (€100 cashback minus €20 fee). To hit the cap, you need to spend €10,000/year per card. A Belgian household spending €3,500 per card recovers about €15 net (€35 cashback minus €20 fee). The first year, the fee is waived after a first purchase within 3 months, pushing the gain to €35.

The other five banks offer no direct cashback. ING launched ING+ Deals, a conditional discount system with partner merchants, but it's not systematic cashback on every purchase. For more generous cashback, you'll need to look at neobanks.

Does the Beobank Cashback Offset the Fee?

Yes, from €2,000 in annual spending (€20 cashback = fee recovered). Below that threshold, the card costs more than it returns. Most Belgian households exceed this amount without difficulty.

How to Choose Based on Your Profile?

Budget is the primary criterion for everyday use without complications. Beobank (€20/year with cashback) or Argenta Green (€24/year) work well if you mostly pay in euros and don't need travel insurance. The site comparator and quiz can refine the recommendation.

Travellers outside the eurozone should compare the ING Mastercard Gold (€51/year, 7 insurance covers, 2% FX) and Belfius Beats Star (€70.80/year, cancellation included, 1.50% FX). The choice depends on your priority: insurance volume (ING wins) or exchange rate (Belfius wins). For a couple based in Brussels heading to Turkey for two weeks, the 0.50% difference on €3,000 of spending is worth €15, but the ING Gold includes purchase protection that Belfius only offers with Platinum.

Students under 25 get a clear advantage at Belfius, where the Beats New package is free. The ING Visa Classic at €10/year is the second most affordable option.

For self-employed professionals who combine business travel with frequent purchases, KBC with the Travel Pack + Shopping Pack (€102/year total) offers the most modular coverage. The lack of cashback is the only downside.