Credit card for someone with no credit history​

Having no credit history can limit your options for everyday financial products like credit cards. However, even with a limited credit history, there are options available to you.

  1. Checking your eligibility won’t impact your credit score

  2. Get a decision in seconds

  3. Making payments on time and staying within your limit could help build positive credit history

  4. Track your credit score for free in the Zable app

Representative 29.9% APR (variable). Subject to eligibility. If you don't qualify, we may offer you a different card with its own terms.

Apply online

Representative example: Based on assumed borrowing of £1200 at an interest rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a. your representative APR will be 29.9% (variable).

Illustration of a zable credit card in front of a group of trees, symbolising credit growth
Illustration of a zable credit card in front of a group of trees, symbolising credit growth

Why choose a credit card with Zable?

  1. Credit that grows with you

    We automatically review your account for credit limit increases and let you know if you’re eligible.

  2. Repay instantly

    You can repay any balances straight from your app by connecting your bank or debit card.

  3. Track your spending

    View your balance and total spending in real time and get instant transaction notifications.

  4. Manage your credit card on the go

    You can do everything from changing your PIN to freezing your card in a matter of taps.

Check if I'm eligible

Checking your eligibility

Checking your eligibility with Zable is free and won’t affect your credit score. This is because we carry out an initial ‘soft’ search’. If you choose to proceed to a full application, we will then carry out the ‘hard’ credit check. 

The basic eligibility criteria for a Zable credit card is:

  1. You must be at least 18 years old

  2. You must have a current account at a UK bank or building society

  3. You must regularly get paid at least £800 per month

  4. You must have a credit account* that has been open for at least 6 months

*A credit account can be an existing credit card, overdraft, monthly mobile phone plan, or even utilities, making it a potentially more achievable set of requirements for someone with limited credit history. 

At Zable, you can also link your bank account during the application process. This enables us to assess your full financial situation (income, spending habits etc.), as opposed to your credit score alone.

Financial expert, Adam McAllister

"Use an eligibility checker before applying for any credit card, particularly if you’re uncertain of your likelihood of approval. Eligibility checkers use a ‘soft search’ which won’t appear on your credit file, whereas full applications require a 'hard search' which leaves a footprint and can cause a temporary dip in your credit score."

Adam McAllister - 5 years in financial services

What is credit history?

Your credit history is a record of your financial behaviour. It includes things like credit cards you’ve owned and bills you’ve paid (or missed). It essentially tells a lender how you’ve handled money in the past, so they can ‘predict’ if you’ll pay them back in the future.

Your credit history is used to generate a credit score. The general rule of thumb is that the higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for credit, and typically at lower interest rates. 

On the other hand, if your history is ‘thin’ (no data) or ‘poor’ (missed payments), you are seen as higher risk and will likely either have your application rejected or will need to pay more interest in order to borrow money.

Illustration of a Zable credit card in front of a sapling, representing credit growth

Can you get a credit card with no credit history?

It is possible to get a credit card with limited credit history, however there are often trade offs. For example, even if you’re eligible for a credit card, you are more likely to be offered a lower credit limit and a higher interest rate than those who have a more robust and positive history. 

Once you have a credit card, you have the ability to use it responsibly to build your history and improve your credit score. This, in turn, can unlock better rates, higher credit limits, and boost your likelihood of approval for future credit cards, loans, mortgages, and even flat rentals.

If this is your goal, you may also be interested in credit builder credit cards.

Illustration of a Zable credit card in front of a sapling, representing credit growth

How can I get a credit card with no credit in the UK?

  1. Check your eligibility

    This is a crucial step for people with no credit history. Complete our quick online application form to see if you're likely to be accepted with no impact to your credit score.

  2. Finish your application

    If eligible, accept your quote and proceed to take the final steps.

  3. Start building credit

    Once approved, you'll receive your card within 7-10 working days.

Here are some tips to follow if applying for your first credit card.

How can I check my credit score?

Simply download the Zable app to access your Equifax credit report and monitor your credit score free of charge.

Image of a phone with the Zable app credit score page open on it

Download the app to see your credit rating for free

Download the Zable app

Why is it showing that I have no credit history?

There could be a few reasons why it appears as though you have no credit history:

  1. You’re new to the UK.

  2. You aren’t on the electoral register. 

  3. You’ve only just turned 18 and haven’t had a mobile contract, bill, or bank account in your name yet.

  4. You don’t have ‘trackable’ data against your name. For example, if you only use cash or debit cards, your bills are in someone else’s name, and you use a pay-as-you-go SIM card rather than a monthly phone contract.

If you want to start appearing on the radar, your best course of action is to:

  1. Register to vote to verify your identity, even if you don't plan to vote.

  2. Open a UK bank account.

  3. Put a bill in your name, such as broadband or a mobile contract.

After a few months of consistent activity, you may start to see an improvement in your score, and could even move from ‘credit builder’ cards to standard, lower-interest offers.

What if I have a bad credit history?

If you have poor credit history, you may find that a credit card for bad credit is suitable for your circumstances.

Getting a credit card can potentially help you to improve your score, provided you use it responsibly and make all of your payments on time. 

If you’re struggling to make payments on time and are unsure what to do next, there are charities offering free debt advice that could help, such as StepChange, National DebtLine, and Debt Advice Foundation.

FAQs about credit cards for no credit history

While there isn’t a set rate for people with no credit history (a ‘thin file’), you will likely be quoted a higher APR, if eligible. This is because those with a thin file are technically an unknown risk to lenders. Because lenders can’t predict your behavior, they may hedge their bets by charging higher interest rates. 

This will differ from lender to lender. Starter cards can sometimes have small limits (such as £50) to give you the chance to build your credit history. This may then help you become eligible for a card with a higher starting limit. 

Start by registering on the electoral roll at your current address, as this is the best way for lenders to verify your identity. Then ensure you have a UK bank account and consider setting up a small monthly commitment to demonstrate a history of on-time payments, such as a SIM-only mobile contract. You can also use a rent reporting service. 

Once you have a credit account that has been open for at least 6 months, you can apply for a credit card with Zable, which can also help you build a positive payment history.

Someone that’s 18 years old will be eligible to apply for a Zable credit card. They will also need to:

  • Have a current account at a UK bank or building society.

  • Regularly get paid at least £800 per month.

  • Have a credit account (credit card, overdraft, monthly mobile phone plan, utilities) that has been open for at least 6 months.

No, no credit history is not the same as having bad credit. Bad credit suggests a negative track record to lenders, whereas no credit is like having a clean slate. 

While both can lead to application rejections, it is not better to have bad credit. Depending on the severity of your credit file (e.g. the level of your debt or having CCJs), a bad credit score can take longer to improve than having a blank slate.