A credit card as a student can be useful for online purchases, travel or bookings. At the same time it shapes your creditworthiness (Kreditwürdigkeit), meaning the impression banks and providers form of how you handle payments. Students who manage their account, overdraft and card carefully early on lay the groundwork for later contracts and loans.
Short answer: Students build creditworthiness mainly through unremarkable payment behaviour: paying bills on time, not staying permanently overdrawn and making few credit enquiries. The SCHUFA keeps enquiries for 12 months and settled payment defaults for 3 years after settlement. A free data copy shows what is stored. Status October 2026.
The most important points in brief
- Enquiries by other companies stay stored with the SCHUFA for 12 months (SCHUFA FAQ, retrieved October 2026).
- Settled payment claims are deleted 3 years to the day after settlement (SCHUFA FAQ).
- Unproblematic loans are no longer stored 3 years after the contract was concluded (SCHUFA FAQ).
- The SCHUFA offers a free copy of your data (self-disclosure). Its paid BonitätsCheck for landlords or employers is separate and costs 29.95 euros (SCHUFA, status October 2026).
- Overdrafts and credit cards are credit with their own interest and fees. Check the terms before you use them.
- For larger needs there are student loans. The KfW student loan has carried an effective interest rate of 6.38 percent since 1 October 2026 (KfW, status October 2026).
What does the SCHUFA store about you?
The SCHUFA stores information that contract partners report to it. This includes payment defaults, loans, terminations of accounts and credit cards, and enquiries by other companies. The table shows how long individual entries remain. The figures come from the SCHUFA FAQ on storage periods.
| Entry | Storage period according to SCHUFA | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Enquiries by other companies | 12 months | SCHUFA FAQ |
| Unproblematic loans | 3 years after the contract | SCHUFA FAQ |
| Settled payment claims | 3 years to the day after settlement | SCHUFA FAQ |
| Unproblematic accounts and credit cards | Immediately after the company reports the termination to the SCHUFA | SCHUFA FAQ |
The table shows that a clean record clears itself over time. A single enquiry disappears after a year, a settled arrears entry after three years. It therefore pays to check your payments early rather than hoping for deletion.
Credit card as a student: what to watch for
A credit card is a means of payment with a credit limit. What matters is whether you pay the full balance at the end of the month or use the card with partial payments. Partial payments usually carry interest. You will find interest, fees and the credit limit in the contract and in the provider’s price and service list, not in the advertising.
Before you apply, a short checklist helps: billing method, interest rate on partial payments, fees for the card and for payments abroad, and the rules for blocking and loss. The application triggers an enquiry with the SCHUFA. Apply only in a targeted way, because every enquiry is stored.
Overdraft: when a buffer turns into an expensive loan
The overdraft (Dispo) is a tolerated overdraft on your current account. It can bridge a short gap. Used permanently, it becomes expensive, because interest accrues over the whole year. Set a fixed upper limit and plan when the balance will return to zero.
Assumption: You use an average of 500 euros of overdraft at an interest rate of 12 percent per year. That is 60 euros of interest per year, or about 5 euros per month. The interest rate is a pure calculation example and not an offer. The actual terms are set by your bank.
Which alternatives exist if a loan is needed?
For larger costs during your studies there are promoted loans that are often cheaper than an overdraft or a credit card with partial payments. The two best-known are the KfW student loan and the German education loan (Bildungskredit) from the Federal Office of Administration. Both interest rates are adjusted every six months, on 1 April and 1 October, so the current status matters.
| Product | Interest per year (effective) | Valid since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| KfW student loan | 6.38 percent | 1 October 2026 | KfW |
| Bildungskredit (variable) | 4.09 percent | 1 October 2026 | Federal Office of Administration |
The conditions of both products differ in payout, term and repayment. A structured comparison is in our guide on student loans (in German).
Building creditworthiness: what counts in the first semesters
Creditworthiness does not come from a single card but from a longer, unremarkable record. What matters most are the payments you make anyway.
- Pay ongoing contracts such as mobile phone, insurance or streaming on time and in full.
- Keep a current account that does not stay permanently in the red in everyday life.
- Apply only for what you really need, so that as few enquiries as possible are stored.
- Settle open bills immediately, before a reminder is issued.
A record without payment defaults makes later contracts easier, for example loans or rental agreements where credit information is common. Entering working life is often the moment when this record matters.
Frequently asked questions
Can I even get a credit card as a student?
The provider decides whether an application succeeds, after its own check. The conditions, such as minimum age or proof of income, are stated in the application and the contract terms. Read them carefully before you sign.
Does a SCHUFA enquiry harm my creditworthiness?
A single enquiry stays stored for 12 months. That is not dramatic, but it is a reason not to apply at random. Every enquiry is stored, so several applications in a short time are unnecessary. Targeted enquiries and punctual payments keep the overview.
What should I do if an entry is wrong?
First request a data copy and check what is stored. If details are wrong, you can ask for correction or deletion. The right to access follows from Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation.
How long does a settled entry stay stored?
Settled payment claims stay stored for 3 years to the day after settlement (SCHUFA FAQ). The period is tied to the date of settlement. If you clear open amounts promptly, the entry is visible for less time.
What to do now
- Request a free SCHUFA data copy and check the entries.
- Check interest and fees on overdraft and credit card before you use them.
- Plan monthly spending so that the account does not stay permanently in the red.
- If you need more money, compare student loans before you use up your overdraft.
Related articles
- Student loan comparison, criteria and rates 2026
- Organise student finances: account, reserve and deadlines
- KfW student loan 2026: age limit, interest, repayment
- German education loan (Bildungskredit): rates 2026
Sources: SCHUFA, FAQ on storage periods (retrieved October 2026), SCHUFA, self-disclosure (retrieved October 2026), KfW, information on student loan interest (status October 2026), Federal Office of Administration, Bildungskredit (status October 2026), Regulation (EU) 2016/679, Article 15.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
