How Old Do You Need to Be to Get a Credit Card?

Can I get a credit card if I’m under 18 years old?
Where can I find credit cards for people under the age of 18?
Can teenagers get a credit card?
Can a parent or guardian sign for a credit card for me if I’m under 18?

While these are frequently asked questions, please be aware that you cannot get a credit card in the UK if you’re under 18 years old. This also excludes the possibility of a parent or guardian applying for a credit card on your behalf or co-signing a credit agreement with you.

What’s the minimum age that you can get a credit card?

As discussed, in the UK, you cannot get a credit card if you’re under the age of 18.

The minimum age requirement for a credit card will vary between providers.
For some, the minimum age could be 18, while others may require potential borrowers to be over the age of 21 before they’re eligible to make an application.

Can I get a credit card if I’m a student?

You could be eligible for a credit card if you are a student, although this will depend on the provider you apply with. Every provider will have their own eligibility criteria that must be met before you can make an application. For example, some may require you to be employed or have a minimum monthly income.
You might be interested in reading more in the thimbl guide to Credit Cards for Students.

Things to ask yourself before you search for a credit card

Regardless of your age, credit score and financial situation, you should never apply for a credit product without carefully researching your options first.

• Are you careful and disciplined with your spending? If the answer is ‘no’, then you should not apply for a credit card. A credit card should never be viewed as an incentive to spend money. Irresponsible use of a credit card will have consequences, such as damaging your credit score.


• Are you aware of the risks involved? It’s crucial to keep on top of your monthly repayments. A late or missed credit card repayment will harm your credit score and could result in you being charged additional fees by your provider.


• Do you understand how interest works? If you don’t clear your credit card balance in full each month, you will be charged interest, and this will be added to your balance.

I have limited or no credit history; could I get a credit card?

Having no or very little credit history, often referred to as having a ‘thin’ credit file, is very common in younger people. This is because many young people have never paid bills in their name or borrowed credit before. While this isn’t a bad thing, it could affect your chances of being considered for credit.

When credit providers receive an application, they will complete a creditworthiness assessment, which gives them an understanding of your financial habits and how you’ve handled any past credit commitments. With little to no credit history to view, providers may consider your application to be riskier.

While this can seem daunting, it’s important not to worry; there are many things you can do to establish your credit score and increase your chances of being approved for credit. You can read more about credit scores here.

Am I eligible for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card?

If you’re over the age of 18 and have at least one credit account that’s been open for a minimum of 12 months, you could be eligible for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card.

Please note that the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card is not suitable for customers with a thin credit file or for students who are not also in employment.

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history;
• Are employed, with a monthly net income of at least £800;
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading name of Lendable Ltd. Any credit obtained as a result of a successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd. Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is on an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).

How does the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card work?

Looking for a credit card to improve your credit score?
The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card has been specifically designed for people with poor credit history.
Here’s how it could help to boost your credit score.

1. Use your thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card to pay for a necessary purchase. You should make sure that you’re able to pay back the money you spend.


2. Each month, you’ll be sent a credit card statement which will let you know the minimum amount of money that you need to pay on your balance. Where possible, you should try to make more than the minimum repayment amount. Remember, if you clear the full balance, you will not be charged interest.


3. Your repayment habits will be recorded by your credit card provider and fed back to the credit reference agencies (CRAs). If you’ve kept on top of your repayment commitments, you may notice an increase in your credit score over time.

A credit builder credit card could be most effective when used in addition to other credit-building methods, which we’ll talk about in more detail in the next section.

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card in just 90 seconds, with no impact to your credit score.*

Find out if you’ll be accepted before you apply for your thimbl. Credit Card

• For all credit levels, from poor to excellent
• Checking won’t affect your credit rating
• 48.9% APR Representative (variable)

Check my eligibility

Other ways to build your credit score

Wondering how to build your credit score as a student or young person?

1. Register to vote. Getting yourself on the electoral roll will make it easier for potential lenders to verify your personal information, such as your current address. This could also have a positive impact on your credit score. You can register to vote in local elections from the age of 16, although at present, you can’t vote in a general election until you’re 18.*


2. Brush up on your credit card knowledge. A credit card will directly affect your credit score. Be sure to stay well inside your credit limit, keep your credit card utilisation as low as possible, and make at least the minimum repayment amount off your balance each month. You should also avoid using your credit card to withdraw money, whether at a cash machine or a bank.


3. Pay your bills on time. Did you know that a phone contract is classed as a form of credit? Falling behind on your repayments will hurt your credit score.


4. Be mindful of credit applications. When you make a credit application, the provider will complete a creditworthiness assessment, which could include a hard search. If you make multiple applications for credit with different providers, you risk multiple hard searches being carried out. If several hard searches are recorded within a short space of time, your credit score will suffer. There are things you can do that could help to reduce the number of hard searches on your credit file, including using a credit broker to search for a credit product or checking your eligibility before you make a full application. Remember, you can check your eligibility for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card with no impact to your credit score.**


5. Be aware of financial association. If you’re part of a flatshare where several residents are named on the bills, you could have what’s known as a financial association with your flatmates. This means that if you were to apply for credit on your own, providers could look into the credit history of those you’re financially linked with. If you’re financially associated with someone who has bad credit, your score could suffer, and this could impact your chances of being approved for credit.

Credit card glossary

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  The APR is how much the credit card will cost you over a year and includes interest and standard fees.


• Credit advance
  A credit advance is when you use your credit card to withdraw money, either in-branch or via a cash machine. Your provider could charge a cash advance fee, and in addition to this, your credit score could be negatively affected.


• Credit limit
  This is the total amount of money available on your credit card. You should never spend more than your credit limit; if you try to, your transaction could be declined, you may be charged a fee, and your credit score could decrease.


• Credit utilisation
  Your credit utilisation is the amount of money that you’ve spent of your credit limit and is shown as a percentage. You should try to keep your credit utilisation as low as possible – below 30% is ideal.
  We understand that this can be a little confusing, so we’ve put together the example below.
  
  -Your credit card has a credit limit of £500.
  -You use it to make a couple of affordable and necessary purchases, which add up to the value of £80.
  -In this case, your credit utilisation is 16%.

Worried about money?

If you’d like to talk to someone about any financial-related worries, including debt concerns, please know that free, confidential advice can be accessed through StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

If you’re struggling to make the monthly repayments on your credit card, please get in touch with your provider as soon as you can. They will take the time to discuss any options that could help you navigate the situation and get your finances back on track.

*Information correct as of July 2025. This information may be subject to change.

**If our eligibility check reveals that you’ve been pre-approved for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card and you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period could have a negative impact on your credit score. Zable is a trading style of Lendable Ltd, and any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.
Please note that pre-approval does not guarantee acceptance.