What is the ING Student Credit Card?
The ING Student Credit Card is a free Mastercard that ING offers to student customers who hold an ING current account. The card can be used both as a prepaid card and on credit, depending on your chosen settings. You do not need to demonstrate an income: ING assesses your application based on your student status and ING account details.
The maximum spending allowance is between €500 and €1,500 per month, depending on your personal situation. This limit is deliberately kept low so that students manage their spending responsibly. The card is fully integrated into the ING app, where you can monitor your balance, transactions and limits in real time.
Because ING is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands, you benefit from a trusted environment and excellent customer service. The ING Student Credit Card is ideal for students who want to use a credit card for the first time — for online shopping, travel or renting a car.
Please note: the card is exclusively available to existing ING account holders. If you do not yet have an ING current account, you must open one first before you can apply for the student credit card.
Costs and conditions
The ING Student Credit Card is completely free: no annual fee, no application costs, no hidden charges. This makes it one of the most attractive options for students without an income. You do need an active ING current account as the basis for the card.
There is no income requirement, but you must be able to demonstrate your student status. You do this by providing proof of enrolment at a recognised educational institution (university, university of applied sciences or MBO level 4). ING verifies your student status periodically.
No BKR credit check is performed when applying for the ING Student Credit Card. This makes the card accessible to students who have not yet built up a credit history. However, late payments may be registered with the BKR.
The card has a spending limit of €500 to €1,500 per month. Payments within the euro zone are free. Outside the euro zone, standard Mastercard exchange rates apply. ATM withdrawals are possible but may incur a fee.
Benefits for students
The ING Student Credit Card offers students a safe way to shop online. Credit cards provide extra protection for online purchases through chargeback rights: if an order does not arrive or a webshop goes bankrupt, you can reclaim the amount through ING.
The card is ideal for travelling abroad. Within the euro zone you pay for free. On holiday outside Europe, the Mastercard exchange rate applies. Many hotels and car rental companies require a credit card for the deposit; the ING Student Credit Card meets this requirement.
Modern payment conveniences are fully supported: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless payments all work. You can use the card virtually immediately after application in the ING app, so you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive.
Via the ING app you can instantly block the card if you lose it or suspect misuse. You can also set temporary limits and receive instant notifications for every transaction. This gives students full control over their spending.
ING Student vs other student cards
Compared to alternatives, the ING Student Credit Card has clear strengths and weaknesses. N26 Standard is also completely free and requires no student status — ideal if you do not have an ING account or if you are an expat in the Netherlands. N26 performs no BKR check and offers the same Mastercard functionality.
Revolut Standard is also free and offers commission-free currency exchange on weekdays, virtual cards and budget management tools. Revolut is ideal for students who pay internationally often or need multiple currencies. The downside: Revolut is less trusted by Dutch car rental companies.
The main advantage of the ING Student Credit Card is the integration into the trusted ING ecosystem. As an ING customer you manage everything in one app. After graduation, the transition to a regular ING Credit Card is also seamless — ING takes care of the conversion automatically.
ING Student Credit Card
Free Mastercard for ING customers who are students
Frequently asked questions about the ING Student Credit Card
Do I need to be an ING customer to get the ING Student Credit Card?+
What is the spending limit on the ING Student Credit Card?+
How does the ING Student Credit Card differ from the regular ING Credit Card?+
What happens to my ING Student Credit Card after I graduate?+
Can I use the ING Student Credit Card abroad?+
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