You can find all the best credit card deals using our comparisons including the top balance transfer and purchases offers.
Save hundreds of euro on your existing credit card borrowing.
Get up to 6 months interest free on new purchases.
Earn cashback, air miles and other benefits on what you spend.
Credit cards are a type of payment card that can help you spread the cost of a major purchase or unplanned outgoings. Some cards also offer other benefits like:
You can use it to pay for goods and services on credit which you can then pay back over time. You can choose to pay off the amount you owe in full at the end of each month or make smaller repayments each month.
The card issuer will charge interest on the amount you owe, but if you pay off your balance in full each month you won’t pay any interest charges.
Exactly how much you can spend on your credit card depends on your credit limit which is set by the credit card provider.
When you’re choosing a credit card, think about how you plan to use it and what features would benefit you most.
Some credit cards are helpful for spreading the cost of major purchases. Others can help you reduce your existing credit and loan debts. If you’re a keen shopper certain credit cards give you cashback, or regular travellers can earn travel rewards.
It’s a good idea to think about what you need your credit card for and choose the features that best suit your financial situation.
| Example use | Look for cards with… | |
|---|---|---|
| Major purchases | Low APR (Annual Percentage Rate) on purchases | |
| Reducing existing credit card debt | Low APR on balance transfers | |
| Regular travel abroad | Foreign transaction fees waiver or travel rewards | |
| Regular small purchases | Cashback rewards | |
| Studying at University | Student card | |
| Irregular cashflow | Money transfer options | |
| One-off purchase over €500 | Instalment plan options |
There are several different types of credit cards and each offers slightly different benefits, the main types of credit cards in Ireland are:
To help you find the best credit cards in Ireland, use our comparison tool and check which cards have the features you want, the lowest interest rates and the longest introductory rates
The credit cards with the lowest typical APR (Annual Percentage Rate) are shown first
Bank of Ireland Platinum Advantage
Bank of Ireland AffinityBank of Ireland Classic
Avant Money Reward+ Card
Avant Money One Card
Bank of Ireland Aer Credit Card
In Ireland, you pay a ‘Government Stamp Duty’ on your credit card account, which your card issuer will typically collect on 1st April each year, in arrears.
The current stamp duty rate for credit cards is €30 per year per credit card account.
Most credit card issuers won’t charge an account fee for your card, however, those with particular rewards sometimes charge a monthly fee, so always double-check before you apply.
The application process will depend on the card issuer and whether you have an existing account with the provider. If you apply for a credit card with your bank, it may be a quicker process, but not necessarily the best card for your needs.
Credit card providers often give you the choice to apply by:
Before completing a full application, your bank or card issuer will often take you through an eligibility process. You will need to provide your basic income and outgoings. This check will tell you whether your application is likely to be accepted.
If you decide to go ahead with your application, you’ll need to provide official documents with personal and financial information.
Each card provider has different lending criteria, but you usually have to be:
In addition to your name, contact information and date of birth, you will need:
Credit providers are required by law to complete a credit check with the Central Credit Register (CCR). If you’d like to find out more about your credit check, read our guide How to check your credit record.
When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer will access the Central Credit Register Credit or Irish Credit Bureau to inspect your credit history. This process helps lenders to assess your ability to repay the ‘loan’.
Your card issuer will use the credit report to assess your application before making a decision. They will also consider your income and outgoings, such as salary, rent and utilities. Different lenders have their own criteria for approving credit and some are more stringent than others.
If you have a history of unpaid loans, late payments or a poor credit score, it will make it more difficult to get a credit card. If you want to find out how to access your credit report, read our guide How to check your credit record.
If you made a purchase using your credit card you may be able to get a refund using the Chargeback scheme, if the goods or services are faulty or don’t arrive.
You can find out more about how the Chargeback scheme works by reading our guide to your refund rights.
You only pay for the credit card account. So, you could have more than one card on your credit card account and only pay the €30 Stamp Duty fee once.
Interest is the cost of borrowing money. It’s usually expressed as an annual percentage of the loan. When you borrow money, you’ll pay back the original amount loaned plus the interest.
For example: If you spend €1,000 on your credit card and your interest rate is 10%, you will have to pay back €1,000 plus 10% interest (€100). This means you pay back €1,100 after one year.
Annual percentage rate (APR) is used to help you understand the cost of borrowing. It’s the official rate used for comparing credit cards and unsecured loans, and is shown as a percentage of the amount you’ve borrowed.
The lower the APR, the cheaper the cost of borrowing should be.
It takes into account the interest rate and additional charges of a credit offer, but not penalties, like late payment fees.
A minimum repayment is the minimum amount you must pay towards your credit card balance each month.
Ideally, you should pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges, but if that is not possible you must make a minimum repayment every month.
If you don’t, you risk paying a penalty, owing extra interest and harming your credit score.
There are eight credit card companies in Ireland:
