Which bank card should a teenager choose?

The market for bank cards for young people is booming. How to choose? And under what conditions?

Leaving aside the debate about whether it's too young or not, if your teenager wants to have a bank card, or if you want them to have one, you should know that it's generally possible from the age of 12. The age depends on the banking institution, some offer them from the age of 10.

The idea is to allow them to pay for their small expenses with a card in their name. Obviously, minors cannot have an account on their own; it must be managed securely by their parents. The card requires systematic authorization, meaning the account balance must be sufficient to allow transactions; the minor cannot be overdrawn. This is impossible.

Generally, to open your teen's first account, as a parent, you contact your bank. The options for obtaining a card for your child are therefore relatively limited. One of the parents must already be a customer of the institution. However, there are establishments open to all, such as Kard, Nickel, and Pixpay, which specialize in young people. Whatever the option, it's good to have the interface with the child so that they can check their account, and so can you.

And price-wise, it's not very expensive, much less than the average annual cost of bank cards for adults. Expect to pay around 20 euros per year.

Be careful, however, because these cards for teens often come with a fee for cash withdrawals. Often, you're only allowed three withdrawals per month, and then you'll have to pay. And the bill can quickly add up. Also, be careful if your child is taking their card on a school trip or language course; you should also check the fees for foreign currency transactions, especially outside the eurozone.

One of the advantages offered is that a bank card aims to familiarize children with money management. This is why programs like Pixpay and Kard offer training modules for teenagers.

Otherwise, remember that on the day of their 18th birthday, the young person becomes the sole legal guardian of their account. They may or may not keep the same bank card, depending on the bank. The real change is that parents no longer have access to their child's account.