Best Free Credit Card In Italy: Top Picks

Although using cash is the most typical means of payment in Italy, having a credit card will be very useful to you and is a need in some circumstances.

We looked into the most best free credit card in Italy so you wouldn’t be misled into getting a costly credit card from your Italian bank or charged high foreign currency cost.

Reasons For Getting A Credit Card In Italy

Universal Acceptance

Making some transactions with a debit card might be challenging. Having a credit card will make hiring a car or booking a hotel room simpler.

Because it’s simpler to charge clients for any damage they cause to a room or a car, rental car businesses and motels prefer that customers pay with credit cards.

Another issue is that the merchant is unaware of the entire cost of your purchase unless you have paid in advance for your rental or hotel stay.

Therefore, in order to protect themselves from unforeseen costs, the store must set aside a portion of your available credit line.

So the company could insist on putting a hold on several hundred euros on your account if you want to use a debit card to pay for one of these products.

Additionally, even if your debit card features the logo of a reputable bank, foreign merchants might not always accept it.

Money Withdrawal Abroad

It is usually practical to have at least some cash when going overseas. You may withdraw cash from any ATM in the globe with a credit card, frequently at no charge.

Online Payments

A credit card is still the sole acceptable payment option for many internet transactions, particularly those made outside of foreign nations.

Consumer Protection

It is simpler to prevent fraud losses when using a credit card to pay. When a criminal uses your debit card, the money disappears from your account immediately. Legitimate costs that you have scheduled online payments for or paid for with postal checks may bounce, resulting in fines for insufficient money and a negative impact on your credit. These missing or late payments might harm your credit rating even if they are not your fault. 6 While the bank conducts its investigation, it can take some time for fraudulent transactions to be undone and money to be put back into your account.

In contrast, if your credit card is used illegally, you don’t lose any money; instead, you tell the credit card issuer of the fraud and stop using the card while it handles the situation. This is one of the primary explanations for why using a credit card as a form of payment is generally safe.

Tracking your spending for you

Expense tracking is already included in credit card statements. Online records of your purchases provide all the pertinent details, including where, when, how much, and how frequently you spend money. Your spending history may be retained for years by some card issuers.

Come tax season, this perk is beneficial. You will save time and work on your taxes if you have a single record of your spending from the previous year already compiled. On a credit card statement, you can find business costs, expenses related to rental properties, charitable contributions, and other complicated tax deductions.

What Are The Different Credit Card Types In Italy?

Revolving Credit Card

Consumer loans include credit cards with revolving accounts. The cardholder is issued a loan that they can use to make cash withdrawals up to a specific amount (the “ceiling”) or to make direct purchases from merchants.

Principal and interest payments for the loan are made in instalments. The repaid principle is added back to the total credit amount available to make new purchases with each instalment payment.

The interest rate charged may be significantly more significant than the rates for other types of consumer lending.

Debit Card

Since debit cards are the most popular banking card in Italy, even if we now understand that they are not the same as credit cards, we nevertheless want to include them.

Some Mobile banks only provide debit cards, not credit cards. Each purchase you make with a debit card will be immediately deducted from your bank account.

This happens instantaneously or within 24 hours, depending on your bank. As a result, you lack access to “real” credit. 

Prepaid Credit Card

Up to the amount prepaid to the card issuer, you can use a prepaid card to make purchases of goods and services or cash withdrawals from ATMs.

It is like having an electronic wallet that you may use to deduct your purchases each time you use it. Prepaid cards may occasionally be refilled without the necessity for a current account.

Which Is The Best Credit Card To Use In Italy?

While American Express is accepted in some locations, some merchants cannot take it because of the higher fees that they suffer.

The two credit cards that are most often accepted in Italy are Visa and MasterCard. Due to the relatively low volume of transactions and lack of equipment, small Italian companies like coffee shops and market stalls are unlikely to take credit cards.

Best Free credit card in Italy 1

Tinaba

Since its founding, Tinaba has improved people’s lives by introducing a novel concept of money. We are the first global fintech app, the first “social” tool for money sharing among many people, the first company connected with a bank, and the first merchant fee-free digital payment solution.

Tinaba App makes managing your money simple. With no fees or activation expenses, you may quickly divide bills, buy online, pay utilities, vehicle taxes, stamps, and much more with just one touch after receiving a bank account and a Mastercard.

You may open a free account with Tinaba and Banca Profilo without additional fees. Immediately alter how you use and perceive money: it is free, digital, and secure.

Your savings become assets for your future when you use the Tinaba Roboadvisor. One of the top five wealth management firms, Banca Profilo, combines with Tinaba’s convenience. No restrictions. Anytime you wish, convert to cash with clear fees. Making a choice to go forward is easy.

  • Without monthly charges or stamp duty
  • Instant and cost-free transfers
  • Italian IBAN transfers with the option of salary crediting 
  • Payment of stamp tax, bulletins, PagoPA, and telephone top-ups 
  • Mastercard

The most flexible card in the world for secure payments everywhere.

  • Mastercard circuit 
  • No administrative fees
  • No extra costs
  • First 24 free withdrawals 
  • Apple Pay, Garmin Pay, FitBit Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Swatch Pay
  • 10% cash back on all of your purchases
  • Rechargeable for free

The sole application that broadens your perspectives.

  • Using Tinaba groups, you may split expenditures with your acquaintances.
  • Crypto service for cryptocurrency trading
  • Piggy banks for your financial objectives
  • Fundraising and charity for significant issues
  • Manage your finances with an investment service.
  • Mortgage guidance to help you choose the best option

There are no monthly fees, taxes, top-up fees, or transfer expenses with the free current account offered by Tinaba and Banca Profilo. Prepare to adopt a new attitude towards money management and living.

Children can open a free bank account with Tinaba and Banca Profilo and get a prepaid card for everyday purchases. Only an adult parent or guardian may open the account and use the parental control feature to monitor all transactions.

Your Tinaba account will receive more benefits and services if you join Tinaba Premium. You may get several discounts and access to only available items with Tinaba Premium. Tinaba Premium offers

Findomestic Credit Card

A certain amount is always accessible to you, up to the credit limit on your card, with the option to select the payment method you like each time—either in monthly instalments or in one lump sum at the end of the month.

To examine the list of transactions, modify the card instalment, make payments, and handle all other activities online, you may always log into your customer area. You may apply for and get a cash advance by bank transfer within five working days with the Findomestic Credit Card. To receive the money instantly and avoid needless waiting, connect the card to the Findomestic Current Account. Another incentive to use their card? To lessen the impact on the environment! The eco-friendly Findomestic credit card was created using green PLA material (a type of corn)

Use Wallets and your Findomestic Card

Wallets are digital wallets that let you use your smartphone to make payments without having your Findomestic Card with you. Since the card information is not saved on the device, it is safe.

The Findomestic Credit Card gives you access to a fixed amount of money you may use in any way you choose. In reality, the revolving function gives you access to a credit limit automatically replenished by your monthly repayments while decreasing every time you use the card.

You have the option to repay your spending each time you use the card:

  • with the monthly payment schedule, you decide on and set up in the customer area via the APP or the website
  • need just one payment at the end of the month 

The Findomestic Credit Card combines the capabilities of two different cards:

  • Traditional card for cash withdrawals from ATMs and purchases you make in retailers, including online
  • Revolving card that enables you to have access to money at all times. 

Your credit line is reduced each time you use the Findomestic Credit Card, but it is also automatically refilled through your monthly payments.

Your preferred form of reimbursement is up to you if you use the Findomestic Credit Card:

  • With handy and customised monthly instalments that you create in accordance with your needs as one
  • Interest-free monthly payment

You have three days from the time you use your card to determine whether to pay in 3, 6, 9 or 12 fixed, brief, and consistent payments. You may freely make your decision in your Customer Area / Credit Cards area. Your Next Installment through the website or the Findomestic app

You may examine a record of your recent moves in the customer area at any time, and you can pay for your purchases in instalments using a monthly direct debit from your current account.

Additionally, you may request a cash advance using the Findomestic Credit Card; the process is easy and quick, and all you need to provide is your tax code and card number.

Within the parameters of your credit line’s available amount, you can request cash at any moment. You will get it via bank transfer or a cheque sent to your address. In the Customer Area Credit Cards area, you may see all transactions, refunds, and use information related to the Findomestic Credit Card. With the Findomestic Credit Card, you can take advantage of exclusive savings and our loyalty programme, Findomestic Club, which rewards you with points.

Whenever you use your credit card to make a purchase or to withdraw cash from an ATM for more than 100 euros, you have three days to change the payment method.

When making a purchase or withdrawing money, if you choose the “end of month” refund, you can:

  • Change to a promotional refund and select separately from a set of instalments (3, 6, 9 or 12), with a precise cost and straightforward procedure.
  • Change to a monthly instalment payment schedule

If you choose “in instalments” during the purchase or withdrawal process, you may: 

  • Change to a promotional refund and select separately from a set of instalments (3, 6, 9 or 12), with a precise cost and straightforward procedure.
  • Change to a full refund at month’s end 

The cash advance request does not permit changing the payment method.

Nexi Classic 

With access to mobile and online apps, Nexi offers Banks a full selection of payment cards that can be managed dynamically, swiftly, and securely. Reliable and safe for little and large purchases

Shop at your leisure for value-added services to postpone high and sporadic costs.

All the dynamism you need is available with Nexi Credit Cards, which also provide delayed debts of up to 45 days.

FEATURES

  • Easy Shopping 
  • You may choose which monthly purchases to spread out payments for over 250 to 2,400 euros, even if you start by adding up costs from as little as 50 euros. Directly from the app and the Nexi website, all in a few simple steps. Service for involved banks.
  • Spending Control
  • Ensure and regulate card use through digital channels by adjusting the spending caps based on the amount, channel, region, product categories, and time frame. Function accessible through the website and the app, which is always modifiable.
  • Insurance coverage
  • Free shipping, luggage insurance, travel medical care, and legal defence against cyber risk.
  • Family and additional
  • Cards Additional cards are issued on a second circuit with a shared total ceiling and a single account statement for adult relatives of the primary cardholder’s family.

With Nexi online services, your card becomes digital.

With the Nexi Pay App, you can manage all of your cards instantly, quickly, and securely from your smartphone, from any location, at any time.

Get the most recent app version and learn about all Nexi Pay features immediately.

Accessible through the App Store, Google Play, and App Gallery.

You can easily access online services from your PC around-the-clock thanks to the Personal Area of the nexi website.

All your card details are always accessible

  • You may still view all its information even when your card is not present.
  • You may securely view your card number, expiration date, PIN, and CVV whenever necessary.
  • Without having to wait, all the information you require for your in-person and online payments.

With Nexi Pay, you can keep an eye on and control every little thing.

Movements And The Account Statement

View the list of purchases made with your card, check the balance that has been utilised, and download the account statement in digital form.

Notifications And Alerts

Even from €2, you may set up an SMS or a notice for when your card is used.

Get a glimpse of the upcoming bank statement and the remaining costs for the month every week.

Dependability

Set the spending limits for your cards according to the maximum, the product categories, and the locations.

All the flexibility you need to pay your bills

Easy Shopping is a service that enables you to spread your payments over 24 months.

Until you reach the minimum amount that may be paid in instalments of €250, pay any costs above €250 or combine any expenses over €50. Always adhere to your instalment schedule and the instructions provided in the app. Additionally, you have the ability to close the plan before its expiration without paying any additional fees.

Nexi security at your fingertips

Online shopping security

  • The 3DS service and the Nexi Key6 code ensure that your online payments are always secure.
  • Pause and block the card. Use your app to stop or permanently block your card in case of loss.
  • Manage your login credentials at any time, and always keep in mind that your username and password are private and secret. Never give them to anyone else. You won’t ever get a request from Nexi to share them.

For your regular purchases, pick Nexi payment cards and cutting-edge services. Intelligent solutions ensure that you always have the finest payment experience, especially with your smartphone, anywhere and at any time.

Conclusion 

In Italy, there are not many free credit cards available. The top three are listed. Select the card that best suits your needs. The Nexi credit card is what we recommend because it offers a wider variety of features than the others. However, if the Tinaba or Findomestic credit cards cover your needs, use them. We advise bringing two separate credit cards when travelling in case one is stolen or misplaced. Just be careful not to apply for two cards at once, and give yourself some time to avoid damaging your credit score.