What is the ICS Visa World Card?
The ICS Visa World Card is issued by ICS (International Card Services), the largest credit card issuer in the Netherlands. ICS is a subsidiary of ABN AMRO and specialises exclusively in credit cards. The Visa World Card runs on the global Visa network, making it accepted at hundreds of millions of locations worldwide.
The card is the most popular credit card in the Netherlands, held by millions of active cardholders. This popularity is well-founded: the Visa World Card combines an accessible annual fee with a strong insurance package that includes unique features you will not find on most other cards in this price range. The delivery guarantee is a Dutch market exclusive offered by ICS.
Unlike prepaid or debit cards, the Visa World Card is a true credit card: ICS extends a credit limit and you repay the balance monthly. This also makes the card suitable for car rental, hotel bookings and other situations where a genuine credit card is required or strongly preferred by the provider.
Costs and fees
The annual fee is €43 per year (€3.58 per month). This is one of the lowest annual fees for a full Visa credit card with insurance coverage in the Netherlands. At major Dutch banks such as ING, ABN AMRO and Rabobank, you typically pay a comparable or higher fee for less protection.
You benefit from 21 days interest-free: if you pay your full balance within the payment period, you pay no interest. If you do not pay in full, interest of approximately 10% per annum applies to the outstanding balance. This is a standard credit card — deferred payment is possible, but it is advisable to avoid it given the interest rate.
ATM withdrawals and payments within the euro zone are free of charge. For payments outside the euro zone, ICS charges a foreign exchange margin of 1.5%. This is market-standard for a traditional credit card; for frequent non-euro use, fintech alternatives such as Revolut or N26 are cheaper for day-to-day transactions.
Insurance and protection
The most distinctive feature of the ICS Visa World Card is the 365-day purchase protection — one of the longest in the Netherlands. Purchases made with the card are covered for a full year against theft, damage or loss. Most other cards offer a shorter coverage period of 60 to 180 days.
The delivery guarantee is a unique feature exclusive to ICS: if an online order does not arrive or is delivered damaged, you can claim the purchase amount back through ICS. This is in addition to the standard chargeback facility that Visa provides for fraudulent transactions. For frequent online shoppers, this represents valuable extra protection.
If your card is lost or stolen abroad, ICS will arrange an emergency card and emergency cash — within 24 hours, worldwide. This provides peace of mind when travelling, knowing that you will be quickly assisted even in an emergency. The chargeback procedure for fraud or undelivered services is also well-handled through the Visa network.
Who is the ICS Visa World Card best for?
The Visa World Card is ideal for anyone who wants a reliable basic card with more protection than a standard debit card offers. Think of people who regularly shop online and benefit from the delivery guarantee, or travellers who want worldwide acceptance and an emergency card as a safety net.
The card is also a solid choice for people who cannot get a credit card from their current bank but do meet the minimum requirements of ICS: a minimum net income of €1,150 per month and no negative BKR credit registrations. ICS applies a more accessible acceptance policy than some of the major Dutch banks.
The card is less suitable for people who want cashback or rewards points (the Visa World Card does not offer these), for people with BKR credit issues, or for frequent travellers outside the euro zone who want a card with no foreign exchange surcharge. In those cases, cards such as Revolut or N26 are more practical for everyday foreign spending.
ICS Visa World Card — Pros & Cons
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Frequently asked questions about the ICS Visa World Card
What is the difference between the Visa World Card and the Visa World Card Gold? +
How long is the purchase protection on the ICS Visa World Card? +
What is the delivery guarantee? +
What is the credit limit on the Visa World Card? +
Can I apply for the ICS Visa World Card if I already have a credit card elsewhere? +
How do I apply for the ICS Visa World Card? +
See also
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