- Argenta Mastercard costs €24/year (€2/month) since July 2025 — free only for 18-24 year olds.
- Beobank Visa Extra offers 1% cashback — unique in Belgium.
- For most Belgians, a classic card between €25 and €30/year is enough.
- Non-euro zone fees are a uniform 1.5% at all traditional banks.
Our ranking of traditional bank cards
We analysed the 6 main credit cards offered by traditional Belgian banks. Here is our ranking based on value for money.
Good value
Good choice for KBC customers
Solid, no surprises
Decent but pricey
If you travel to the US
🏆 Best if you spend a lot
Hidden fees to watch out for
Beyond the annual fee, other charges can add up.
Cash withdrawals cost 1–2% of the amount (minimum €2.50 to €5). Avoid withdrawing cash with a credit card — it's always expensive.
Payments outside the euro zone are charged at 1.5% by all traditional Belgian banks. Only neobanks offer 0%.
The interest rate (9.50 to 10.20%) only applies if you choose instalment repayment. If you repay in full each month, no interest is charged.
Compare neobank cards →Which card for which profile?
The best choice depends on your situation.
Student (18-24): Argenta Mastercard (free for young people, €24/year otherwise).
Family with high spending: Beobank Visa Extra (1% cashback on all purchases).
Loyal customer of a major bank: stay with your bank — the package benefits (insurance, savings account) often offset the €25–30/year.
Frequent traveller: a traditional card alone isn't enough. Combine with a Revolut or N26 for non-euro zone payments.
Frequently asked questions
Which traditional bank offers the cheapest credit card?
Argenta, with its Mastercard at €24/year (€2/month). It's the cheapest traditional Belgian bank card. Free for 18-24 year olds.
Is the Beobank cashback card worth it?
If you spend more than €3,000 per month by card, the 1% cashback (i.e. €30/month) far exceeds the €30/year fee. Below that, the free Argenta card is more advantageous.
Can I use my Belgian credit card everywhere in Europe?
Yes. Belgian Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted throughout the euro zone with no additional fees. Outside the euro zone (Switzerland, UK...), exchange fees of 1.5% apply.
How to increase my credit card limit?
Contact your bank with proof of higher income or a clean payment history. The standard limit is €2,500 but can be increased to €5,000 or more.
What to do if my credit card is stolen in Belgium?
Call Card Stop immediately on 078 170 170 (24/7). This Belgian number instantly blocks your card. Then file a police report and contact your bank.
Does a Belgian credit card work in the United States?
Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard in the US. If you regularly travel to the US, prefer a Visa card (ING, Beobank) over a Mastercard.
Sophie Laurent spent eight years in retail banking, first as a credit adviser and then in customer relations, before going independent in 2021 and settling in Louvain-la-Neuve. She compares Belgian credit cards, from the traditional banks (ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, Belfius) to the neobanks (Revolut, N26, Wise), starting from the official fee schedules: annual fee, currency-conversion charges, borrowing rate, limits and bundled insurance. Her rule: a free card is never really free, the cost hides in foreign payments and revolving credit. She saw too many clients sign up for cashback that didn't even cover the annual fee, and she says so.