Bunq launches €5,000 credit limit on free credit card

bunq has introduced a credit limit of up to €5,000 on its free credit card, first opening the feature to early-access users in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.

The credit limit is designed for situations where debit cards can be less practical, such as hotel reservations and car hire. In the bunq app, users can track spending, available credit and upcoming repayments, as well as adjust limits, authorise payments and block cards instantly.

The move adds a credit product to a service better known for current accounts, payments and savings tools. It also puts bunq in more direct competition with digital banks and card providers that offer short-term borrowing alongside everyday banking services.

The card is available to all users, while access to the credit limit is initially being released through a waitlist capped at 1,000 users in each of the three launch markets. bunq said it plans to extend the product to more European countries.

Under the structure outlined by bunq, balances must be repaid in full each month. The product is positioned as an option for customers who want the flexibility associated with credit cards without carrying ongoing debt.

Users can manage the credit card alongside other accounts and cards in the app. Card controls include the ability to move credit limits between cards and use existing security settings such as rotating CVCs and location-based protection against unauthorised transactions.

Broader update

The announcement came as bunq disclosed that user deposits had passed €10 billion, a sign of scale for a business that has sought to position itself as one of Europe's largest digital banks.

bunq also said it had completed the rollout of Wero across the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium. It described itself as the first provider to offer both eCommerce and person-to-person payments across all four markets through the European Payments Initiative's cross-border system.

Users in participating markets can send money through Wero or select it at checkout on supported merchant websites, paying directly from their bunq account rather than entering card details. The expansion highlights the growing importance of account-to-account payment systems in Europe as banks and payment groups look for alternatives to international card networks.

For bunq, adding a flexible credit limit broadens the range of products in its app at a time when digital banks are under pressure to deepen customer relationships and generate more revenue from existing users. Credit products can provide a new source of income, but they also bring underwriting and repayment risks that differ from transaction accounts and subscription-based banking plans.

The group said approval for the credit product will depend on an assessment of each applicant's financial circumstances, and the limit offered is not guaranteed. It also noted that the card may be subject to interest charges, an annual percentage rate and other fees depending on use.

Joe Wilson, chief evangelist at bunq, set out the company's position on the launch.

"We're here to make users' lives easy. Offering up to €5,000 credit is a major step in providing all the financial tools users need, all in one place," said Joe Wilson, chief evangelist at bunq. "It's designed the bunq way: simple, transparent, and with full control. Whether you're renting a car for a weekend trip or managing your monthly budget, our credit card gives you the financial freedom you need, without hidden fees."

bunq has expanded from its base in the Netherlands into a broader European digital banking business serving consumers with cross-border payment and money management tools. The latest card change reflects how neobanks are increasingly trying to combine payments, savings and borrowing in a single app as they compete for customers who travel frequently or hold accounts in more than one country.