If you're looking for a new credit card, there are plenty of options to choose from. On the Apobank website, you’ll find our range of offers, including the ApoBank Visa Card, a new product from Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG.
This article provides an overview of the ApoBank Visa Card Credit Card, including its fees and features, and explains the many benefits that come with the card. Of course, you’ll also find a description of how the application process works.
- The most important background information about Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG
- All features & benefits of the ApoBank Visa Card Credit Card
- How to manage your payment cards efficiently with the ApoBank Banking App
- Information about fees & conditions
- The requirements for applying for the ApoBank Visa Card Credit Card
- Information on creditworthiness and how it can have a positive effect on your application
- How to apply for the ApoBank Visa Card Credit Card
- Important contact details
- The conclusion on the ApoBank Visa Card Credit Card
An Overview of ApoBank (Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG)
Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG, or ApoBank, was founded in 1902 by 18 pharmacists and is a German cooperative bank based in Düsseldorf. With its total assets, it is the largest cooperative bank in Germany.
As the name suggests, the bank primarily serves doctors and pharmacists. However, other professionals in the medical field, such as psychotherapists, physiotherapists, or corporate clients from healthcare or medical technology sectors, are also welcome customers.
A professional medical background is required to open a checking account at ApoBank. This account is also a prerequisite for obtaining the ApoBank Visa Card credit card. You will find more detailed information about the ApoBank Visa Card credit card from Santander Bank in the following sections.
The Key Benefits of the ApoBank Visa Card at a Glance
If you work in the healthcare sector and belong to a recognized medical profession, you can open an account with the Apotheker und Ärzte Bank—and take advantage of the many benefits offered by their credit card. These advantages aren’t just limited to you, but also extend to your family members and business clients in the healthcare field.
One major benefit of the credit card is that you can withdraw cash free of charge from any ATM in Germany. And that’s just the beginning—there’s even more to enjoy.
Exclusive Benefits for Frequent Travelers
Do you often travel by car on vacation? As the holder of an ApoBank Visa Card, you enjoy exclusive mobility protection. The International Travel Insurance ensures you receive quick assistance anywhere in Europe in the event of a breakdown or accident. Mobility protection also includes supplemental collision insurance for rental cars.
This means you’re covered for accidents and breakdowns even when driving a rental car—no need for additional insurance. And there’s more: when you book with ApoBank's partner, Urlaubsplus GmbH, and pay with your ApoBank Visa Credit Card, you’ll receive a 7% discount on your booking amount.
The Practical ApoBank Banking App
With the ApoBank Banking App, holders of the ApoBank Visa Card can manage their banking and transactions from anywhere in the world. This way, you always have a complete overview of your finances.
The app is available for free for both Android and iOS devices. You can find it for Android in the Google Play Store and for iOS in the Apple App Store.
Enjoy the following benefits when using the app:
- Overview of all your payment cards
- Personalized management of all payment functions
- Easily lock and unlock your cards
- Manage card limits
- High level of security thanks to the SecurePlus TAN process
The many positive customer reviews speak for themselves
Countless customers already use the app and have shared their experiences in numerous positive customer reviews for the ApoBank Online Banking App. See for yourself:
Review by iVerkehr “I downloaded the app today with, admittedly, a lot of skepticism and was expecting the worst. But none of that: it worked straight away, the integration with the Tan App is great, Face ID works flawlessly. It’ll get the fifth star once the app becomes less confusing, which unfortunately it has in common with the online banking. One also wonders why you still need a magnifying glass for the Push Tan, while the Photo Tan is displayed in a readable size. Still, the initial chaos is gone and I still much prefer my advisor at APO Bank over the ING DIBA phone hotline. I've never managed to speak to a real person there.”
Dorian Fataj says: “An easy-to-use, intuitive app. Offers many analysis options, clearly shows your total assets, and you can add custom notes to transactions on your current account later on. You can also add hints to the names of individual accounts. Triple security against misuse with login password, access PIN, and an additional app lock feature. The TAN process via the push app is even more secure with an extra password protection!”
Mareikana writes: “Clear and easy to follow. Pending transactions could be highlighted a bit more. Available funds for the month could also be displayed better. All in all, a useful app. It would be nice to have different TAN methods / separate mobile and home banking. Despite a few minor flaws, I definitely recommend this app. And those can always be improved in future updates!”
Fees & Conditions of the ApoBank Visa Credit Card
ApoBank (the German Pharmacists and Doctors Bank) offers several Visa card models, each with different fees and terms. In general, the card fees are charged monthly. Additionally, these are revolving credit cards, meaning that interest charges may apply if you carry a balance.
In the next section, we provide an overview of the ApoBank Student Visa Card fees. Here, you’ll find details on the monthly cost and what other fees may apply.
- Annual fee: 9 euros, regardless of your card spending
- No fees for card use within the Eurozone
- For card transactions outside the Eurozone, a fee of 1.75% per transaction applies
- Cash withdrawals in foreign currency are free of charge
- The nominal or effective annual interest rate is 11.63% p.a., applied to partial payments
What are the requirements for applying for the ApoBank Visa Card?
The main requirement for applying for the credit card is having an active checking or salary account with ApoBank. In addition, you need to have an active, permanent employment contract. You’ll also be asked to provide three payslips as proof of income and a registration certificate confirming your primary residence in Germany. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old.
On top of these basic requirements, your creditworthiness will also be assessed on an individual basis. In this respect, the credit card does not differ from others. In the next section, we’ll discuss why creditworthiness plays such an important role.
Creditworthiness as a Key Factor
If you always pay your bills on time, never receive reminders, and are never contacted by debt collection agencies, you probably have good credit or a high credit score.
In Germany, the Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung (SCHUFA) is the main authority when it comes to creditworthiness. It determines each individual's credit score, along with other independent credit protection agencies such as CRIF. If you have a good score, you don't have to worry about your application being rejected.
When you apply for a credit card from the Ärzte- und Apothekerbank, your bank advisor typically takes care of all the paperwork and checks for you. Usually, the details of the screening process are not shared with you. However, you can assume that the bank will make inquiries with the usual credit protection agencies. If the result is positive, you will receive your new credit card.
Is it possible to check my SCHUFA records in advance?
Credit protection agencies like SCHUFA, as well as independent providers such as CRIF, collect data about customers' payment behavior. Banks or other institutions with a legitimate interest can request information about your creditworthiness from these agencies. This reveals how a person's payment history has been in the past.
If you want to know what data SCHUFA has on you, you can request a free report from CRIF once per year. This may show that some entries are outdated. In that case, you can have them deleted to improve your rating.
Now you know that the ApoBank credit card is only available if you have a certain level of creditworthiness and a positive SCHUFA report. If you meet these requirements, you can easily apply for the credit card online through the Online Banking Portal.
If all your details are correct and your application is approved, you will receive your new ApoBank Visa Card at the address you provided within a few days. For security reasons, your PIN will be sent in a separate letter, usually arriving a few days after the credit card.
Ärzte- und Apothekerbank is known for its comprehensive service, which includes a 24-hour customer support team. This team is available around the clock for general inquiries. For more detailed questions, however, it is recommended to contact your local branch directly during regular business hours.
If you have any questions, you can reach customer service Monday to Friday during office hours at +49 211 5998 0
Written inquiries can be sent to the following address: Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG, Richard-Oskar-Mattern-Straße 6, 40547 Düsseldorf
Conclusion
The ApoBank Visa Card is one of the most attractive credit cards in Germany, offering numerous benefits. These include free cash withdrawals within Germany and free payments within the Eurozone. Additionally, ApoBank reimburses ATM fees with this credit card.
Other perks include a 1% fuel discount and a free partner card. However, the relatively high interest rates should also be taken into account. Fortunately, these can easily be avoided, allowing you to use the ApoBank Student Visa Card at no cost.
Note: Using a credit card may involve certain risks. Please familiarize yourself with the bank’s current terms and conditions. All important information can be found in the General Terms and Conditions of the Bank.
