Best credit cards for students and young adults in Brazil
By Sofía Vargas (Editor-in-chief) · Reviewed by Sofía Vargas (Editor-in-chief) · Published · Reviewed
Also available in pt-BR on Brasil.
Building credit history as a young adult or student in Brazil requires products that approve without formal income proof and report to the SCR (Sistema de Informações de Créditos) from month one. This guide collects the most realistic options for users between 18 and 25 years old.
Direct answer
For students — brazil, the strongest pick today is Nubank Crédito, according to the BestCardIn editorial review.
Quick answers
- Can I get a credit card as a student in Brazil without formal income?
- Yes. Nubank, Inter and C6 approve cards for students without formal income proof, evaluating alternative behavior (PIX use, digital account, occasional deposits). Traditional banks generally require formal income proof.
- What is the minimum age to hold a card in Brazil?
- The legal minimum age is 18 for a card in your own name. For minors there are additional cards with parental approval starting at age 12 at Nubank, C6 and Inter.
- How long does it take to build a good credit score in Brazil?
- With responsible use (paying on time, keeping utilization low) you can reach a good Serasa score in 12 to 18 months. Premium products typically require 24 months or more of active history.
- What mistakes should beginners avoid?
- The three most expensive: paying only the minimum (revolving credit with sky-high monthly rates), using more than 50% of your limit (hurts your score) and applying for many cards in a short period (penalizes your score with multiple inquiries).
Selected cards
Nubank Crédito
Nubank
Annual fee: No annual fee
The most accessible option to build history at zero cost: digital approval, no annual fee, the leading app in the segment and well-recognized customer service.
Inter Black Win
Banco Inter
Annual fee: No annual fee · Cashback: 1.25%
No annual fee with structural 1.25% cashback; an excellent combination of history building and real benefits for young adults with consolidated spend.
Nubank Conta
Nubank
Annual fee: No annual fee
Fee-free digital account, ideal for managing allowances, scholarships or occasional income; automatic yield on balance.
PicPay Débito
PicPay
Annual fee: No annual fee
The most-used digital wallet among young Brazilians for PIX between friends and small payments; the natural complement to Nubank or Inter.
C6 Carbon
C6 Bank
Annual fee: No annual fee
Metal card with no annual fee and the Átomos points program; an aspirational option for young adults who want a premium product without the cost.
Quick comparison
| # | Card | Issuer | Annual fee | Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nubank Crédito | Nubank | No annual fee | - |
| 2 | Inter Black Win | Banco Inter | No annual fee | 1.25% |
| 3 | Nubank Conta | Nubank | No annual fee | - |
| 4 | PicPay Débito | PicPay | No annual fee | - |
| 5 | C6 Carbon | C6 Bank | No annual fee | - |
The first step to building credit history in Brazil is choosing products that report to the SCR and to Serasa from month one and have an accessible approval policy. Nubank Crédito and Inter meet both conditions; most traditional bank cards require formal income proof and work tenure.
Once your first card is approved, keep utilization between 10% and 30% of your limit and pay the full balance every month before the due date. This pattern maximizes the speed at which your Serasa score improves and tends to unlock automatic limit increases every three to six months.
For parents who want to teach finance to children under 18, Nubank, C6 and Inter offer additional cards for teenagers from age 12 with parental approval. The "caixinhas" and goals in digital accounts are concrete pedagogical tools for teaching how to separate savings from spending.
FAQ
Can I get a credit card as a student in Brazil without formal income?
Yes. Nubank, Inter and C6 approve cards for students without formal income proof, evaluating alternative behavior (PIX use, digital account, occasional deposits). Traditional banks generally require formal income proof.
What is the minimum age to hold a card in Brazil?
The legal minimum age is 18 for a card in your own name. For minors there are additional cards with parental approval starting at age 12 at Nubank, C6 and Inter.
How long does it take to build a good credit score in Brazil?
With responsible use (paying on time, keeping utilization low) you can reach a good Serasa score in 12 to 18 months. Premium products typically require 24 months or more of active history.
What mistakes should beginners avoid?
The three most expensive: paying only the minimum (revolving credit with sky-high monthly rates), using more than 50% of your limit (hurts your score) and applying for many cards in a short period (penalizes your score with multiple inquiries).
Methodology
We prioritize products with no formal income requirement, 100% digital onboarding, reporting to the SCR from month one and an app with control tools. We exclude cards with traditional bank-style approval policies.
Conclusion
Nubank Crédito is the standard entry point for young Brazilians. Inter Black Win adds structural cashback without an annual fee. Combine with Nubank Conta or Inter Empresas for daily management and PicPay for social PIX. Start with one product, use it for six months with discipline, and only then scale.