Credit card for EU individual living in the UK

Thrugelmir

ColinFGS said:

Deleted_User said:

Your own bank is probably your only chance. Even sub prime cards have tightened up on criteria.

I'm in a vicious circle, I'm trying to build credit history but unable to do that because of the address history requirement.

Apply to your bank for a loan or overdraft if you require funding for a purpose. Churning cash through a credit card doesn't provide evidence of anything in particular. 

ColinFGS

I don't need a loan or an overdraft I just want to build my credit history and that is done through a credit card.

London7766551

Did you speak to your bank? the systems are automatic but if you have a current account with them it seems odd you can't get a credit card as well. It might just need someone to press a button! I assume you have applied for the EU settlement scheme? as no doubt this will be a factor beyond December for many things.

ColinFGS

I have a basic account created especially for EU nationals. I pay a monthly fee of 1£ for the account. 2 weeks ago I applied to ugrade my current account to a full one ( with overdraft ). I applied on a Saturday and Sunday morning they replied that my request was rejected without giving me any reasons. I had an appoiment scheduled  with them the next week and they called me. The bank employee suggested I shouldn't apply for the credit card if they rejected my application for the full current account.

And yes, I applied for the EU settlement scheme and I got pre-settled status.

London7766551

For now you may need to apple for some of the suggested cards in this thread, two years will pass quickly and then you can apply for a "proper" card.

dave1345

Thrugelmir said:

Apply to your bank for a loan or overdraft if you require funding for a purpose. Churning cash through a credit card doesn't provide evidence of anything in particular. 

A loan might be cheaper if you need to borrow money. However, using a credit card for everyday purchases and then paying off in full at the end of the month does build credit history and shows you can be sensible with credit. The latter is what it sounds like the OP wants to do.

ColinFGS

Luma, Vanquish might accept me.

The problem is I need to make sure that if I apply to any of these I have a high chance I will be accepted because if I get rejected it's going to put a dent in my credit file.

What do you know about the credit card issued by Zopa?

[Deleted User]

A rejection doesn't dent your credit file.  The application will simply show one search, no rejection.

PlatinumChaos

ColinFGS said:

(...) Vanquish might accept me.

Yes, that's another one I've been considering. With them, at least you have the option of ticking the "My previous address wasn't in the UK. (...) You don't need to provide a previous address" box in their eligibility check.

jet01

ColinFGS said:

I have a basic account created especially for EU nationals. I pay a monthly fee of 1£ for the account. 2 weeks ago I applied to ugrade my current account to a full one ( with overdraft ). I applied on a Saturday and Sunday morning they replied that my request was rejected without giving me any reasons. I had an appoiment scheduled  with them the next week and they called me. The bank employee suggested I shouldn't apply for the credit card if they rejected my application for the full current account.

And yes, I applied for the EU settlement scheme and I got pre-settled status.

From the account description above I assume you bank with Santander. Anecdotal evidence from this board and from reported likelihood of acceptance on eligibility checkers suggests that they are more selective about who the give credit cards to even when it comes to their own customers than many other banks unfortunately.