Gold and Platinum credit cards in Belgium: premium card comparison

Paying EUR 50 a year for a Gold card when a standard card does the same job at the supermarket — the doubt is fair. The real question is not prestige but arithmetic: do the insurance policies bundled into a premium card cost less than buying them separately? In Belgium, the answer depends on your bank and your travel habits.

A Gold or Platinum credit card is a premium bank card that includes insurance (trip cancellation, purchase protection, accident cover) and additional services (concierge, airport lounges) in exchange for a higher annual fee. Gold is the first premium tier; Platinum adds enhanced coverage and exclusive services.

How much does a Gold card cost in Belgium?

Annual fees range from nothing to nearly a hundred euros depending on the bank. Beobank charges EUR 5/year, ING and BNP Paribas Fortis hover around EUR 51/year, and Keytrade Bank offers its Visa Gold for free provided you make 12 transactions per year.

Beobank remains the most affordable in terms of pure fees. Keytrade Bank wins if you use your card regularly — 12 transactions a year, roughly one per month, is enough to pay nothing. At Belfius and Crelan, the Gold card is bundled into a pack that includes the current account, which skews direct comparison.

For a full view of hidden fees on Belgian credit cards, our detailed guide covers all ancillary costs.

What insurance comes with a Gold card?

This is the main selling point of premium cards. Each Belgian bank includes a different insurance bundle — and the caps vary considerably.

ING offers the most comprehensive coverage for a Gold card: EUR 6,000 per trip for cancellation and EUR 200,000 in case of fatal accident, plus purchase protection at EUR 4,000 per claim. Beobank focuses on purchase protection and extended warranty — useful if you buy electronics, less so if you travel.

The calculation that matters: a standalone trip cancellation policy costs EUR 30 to 60 per trip depending on destination and amount. With the ING Gold card at EUR 51/year, a single cancelled trip saves you several years of annual fees.

For a detailed breakdown of insurance coverage by bank, see our guide to credit card insurance in Belgium.

What do Platinum cards offer in Belgium?

The Platinum tier adds three things that Gold cards do not: a concierge service (bookings, provider search), airport lounge access and higher insurance caps.

At BNP Paribas Fortis, the Mastercard World Platinum is reserved for Private Banking clients — no public pricing. The Belfius Platinum is the only one accessible without income requirements, but its monthly cost of EUR 14.19 (or EUR 18 with the account pack) is a significant commitment.

The Belfius Platinum Pack also includes roadside assistance for 2 household vehicles and bicycle assistance for the whole family across Europe. If you already pay EUR 80–100/year for Touring or VAB, the pack may be worth considering.

Has KBC dropped its Gold and Platinum cards?

Yes. Since 2025, KBC no longer offers Silver, Gold or Platinum tiers. The bank has replaced them with a single credit card — the KBC Credit Card — paired with optional paid modules.

The concept: you start with a free card (included in the KBC Base Account or KBC Plus Account) and add the coverage you want: trip cancellation insurance, purchase protection, roadside assistance. Each module has its own price.

Existing Gold and Platinum cardholders will be contacted individually between April 2025 and April 2027 to migrate to the new system. KBC argues that this modular approach lets customers pay only for what they actually use.

In practice, recreating the equivalent of a former KBC Gold Mastercard (EUR 6/month) with individual modules costs roughly the same — but you can also choose to activate only the cancellation insurance, for example, at a lower cost.

Are neobanks an alternative to Gold cards?

Revolut, N26 and Bunq offer "premium" plans that compete with traditional banks' Gold cards — but these are debit cards, not credit cards.

The main neobank advantage: zero foreign exchange fees on payments in foreign currencies. Belgian Gold cards charge an average of 1.5% in FX fees — on a EUR 2,000 trip outside the eurozone, that is EUR 30 saved. For frequent travellers, a Revolut Metal card alongside a traditional Gold card is often the most effective combination.

Our Revolut vs N26 comparison details the differences between these two neobanks. And if you are specifically looking for a card with no foreign fees, our dedicated guide compares all the options.

How to choose between Gold, Platinum and a standard card?

The right card depends on three variables: how often you travel, your budget and your insurance needs.

Standard card (EUR 0 – 30/year) — if you do not travel or already have annual travel insurance through your employer or a broker.

Gold card (EUR 5 – 51/year) — if you travel at least once a year and do not have cancellation insurance. The card pays for itself from the first cancelled trip. Best value: Keytrade Visa Gold (free) or Beobank Visa Gold (EUR 5/year).

Platinum card (EUR 170 – 216/year) — if you travel three or more times a year, use airport lounges and value concierge service. The Belfius Platinum is the only one accessible without income requirements.

Premium neobank (EUR 16 – 70/month) — if you regularly spend in non-euro currencies. The absence of FX fees offsets the monthly subscription from roughly EUR 1,100 in monthly foreign-currency spending.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Gold and a Platinum card?

A Gold card costs EUR 0 to 51/year and includes basic travel insurance (cancellation, purchase protection). A Platinum card costs EUR 150 to 215/year and adds concierge service, airport lounge access, higher insurance caps and sometimes roadside assistance. The price difference pays off if you travel more than three times a year.

What is the cheapest Gold card in Belgium?

The Keytrade Visa Gold is free if you make at least 12 transactions per year. Otherwise, the Beobank Visa Gold costs just EUR 5/year — the lowest annual fee on the Belgian market for a Gold card with purchase protection.

Is the insurance on a Gold card worth the price?

Usually, yes. A standalone trip cancellation policy costs EUR 30 to 50 per trip. The ING Gold card at EUR 51/year covers cancellation up to EUR 6,000 per trip and accidents up to EUR 200,000. A single cancelled trip reimburses several years of annual fees.

Does KBC still offer Gold or Platinum cards?

No. Since 2025, KBC has replaced the Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers with a single credit card with optional paid insurance modules. Existing cardholders are transitioning progressively until April 2027.

Is Revolut Metal a real premium credit card?

No. Revolut Metal is a debit card costing EUR 16.99/month. It offers 0% FX fees, cashback and travel insurance, but does not extend credit and is not registered with the Central Individual Credit Register.

Is a minimum income required for a Platinum card in Belgium?

Most banks require a net monthly income of at least EUR 2,500 to 3,000. The BNP Paribas Fortis Mastercard World Platinum is reserved for Private Banking clients. The Belfius Platinum is accessible without income requirements but costs EUR 18/month.

Can you get a free Gold card in Belgium?

Yes. The Keytrade Visa Gold is free with 12 transactions per year. Belfius offers the Gold Pack free for the first year to under-29s. KBC includes a free credit card in its packs, but without the Gold tier.

Does a Platinum card give airport lounge access?

At Belfius and BNP Paribas Fortis, the Mastercard Platinum includes limited lounge access via LoungeKey. Revolut Ultra (EUR 70/month) offers unlimited access. Belgian Gold cards never include lounge access.