The credit-card landscape in 2025 offers one blessing for people carrying high-interest debt: a handful of cards still waive interest for extended periods when you transfer your balance. With inflation and interest rates still high, paying 20–30 percent interest on lingering debt is a costly mistake. Balance-transfer cards give you breathing room—often 15 months or longer—to pay down what you owe without finance charges, and sometimes with cash-back rewards thrown in.
This guide breaks down the leading zero-percent APR and balance-transfer cards of 2025. We reviewed publicly available terms, fee schedules and benefits to help you compare intro periods, transfer fees, ongoing APRs, annual fees and rewards. When used strategically, these cards can save hundreds or even thousands of euros, but there are catches: most charge a balance-transfer fee, the interest-free period eventually ends and missing a payment could forfeit your promotional rate. Read on for a quick summary, a detailed comparison, category winners, realistic math scenarios and answers to common questions.
Full Comparison (Top 5)
| Card | Intro period (purchases / transfers) |
Balance transfer fee / FTF | Ongoing APR | Annual fee | Rewards & notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank Shield Visa | 0% for 24 billing cycles (purchases & transfers) | 5% BT fee / 3% FTF | 17.74%–28.74% variable | €0 | Longest intro APR; 4% back on travel via U.S. Bank; $20 annual statement credit |
| Wells Fargo Reflect | 0% for 21 months (both; transfers within 120 days) | 5% BT fee / 3% FTF | 17.24%–28.99% variable | €0 | Cell-phone protection up to €600; merchant offers via Wells Fargo Deals |
| Citi Simplicity | 0% for 12 months (purchases) / 21 months (transfers) | 3% BT fee (first 4 months), then 5% / 3% FTF | 18.24%–28.99% variable | €0 | No late fees; no penalty APR; long transfer window |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 0% for 15 months (purchases & transfers) | 3% BT fee (first 60 days), then 5% / 3% FTF | 18.99%–28.49% variable | €0 | 5% travel via Chase; 3% dining & drugstores; 1.5% other purchases |
| Blue Cash Everyday (Amex) | 0% for 15 months (purchases & transfers) | 3% BT fee / 2.7% FTF | 20.24%–29.24% variable | €0 | 3% back on groceries, U.S. online retail & gas; 1% elsewhere |
Category Winners
Longest Intro Period: U.S. Bank Shield Visa
With a full 24 months of 0% APR on both purchases and transfers, the Shield Visa is unmatched for giving borrowers extra time. A strong pick if you’re tackling a large balance and need breathing room, with no foreign transaction fees.
Best for Perks: Wells Fargo Reflect
Reflect pairs a long 0% intro offer with useful extras like cell-phone protection and targeted merchant offers—great if you value peace of mind.
Most Forgiving: Citi Simplicity
No late fees and no penalty APR, plus 21 months 0% on transfers, make Simplicity ideal for anyone who wants a generous buffer against slip-ups.
Best Rewards During/After Promo: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Many transfer cards skimp on rewards, but Freedom Unlimited delivers solid earnings—useful long after the intro period ends.
Best Everyday Cash Back: Blue Cash Everyday
No annual fee and 3% back on everyday categories (groceries, online retail, gas) make this Amex a practical all-rounder alongside a 15-month 0% window.
Realistic Math Examples
To illustrate how much a 0% balance-transfer card can save you, let’s walk through a few scenarios. These examples assume that you pay off the balance before the promotional period ends. Actual savings may vary.
Scenario 1: €5,000 debt, 24-month payoff
Suppose you owe €5,000 at 25% APR. If you transfer the balance to the U.S. Bank Shield Visa with a 24-month 0% APR and a 5% transfer fee, the one-time fee is €250. You pay €0 interest over two years. Keeping the balance at 25% while paying €250/month would cost ~€1,329 in interest. Net savings ≈ €1,079 after the fee.
Scenario 2: €8,000 debt, 21-month payoff
An €8,000 balance at 22% APR costs roughly €2,387 in interest over 21 months. Transferring to Wells Fargo Reflect incurs a 5% fee (€400) but saves the interest during the promo. Estimated net advantage ≈ €1,987 versus leaving it on the high-APR card.
Scenario 3: €3,000 debt, 15-month payoff
With €3,000 at 20% APR, moving it to Chase Freedom Unlimited yields 0% for 15 months. If you pay €200/month, you’re done before interest resumes. Versus keeping it at 20% with the same payments, you’d save ~€445 in interest (minus the BT fee).
Gotchas You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Balance-transfer fees add up. Most cards charge 3–5% of the transferred amount, payable up front. Run the math—small balances may not justify the fee.
- Promotional rates end. After 15–24 months, standard variable APRs (often ~18–30%) resume. Plan payments to clear the balance within the promo period.
- Late payments can jeopardize promos. Even with Citi Simplicity’s no-late-fee policy, interest applies after the promo window if you still carry a balance.
- Foreign transaction fees vary. Blue Cash Everyday charges 2.7% FTF; Reflect, Simplicity, and Freedom Unlimited typically 3%; Shield Visa has no FTF—better for international use.
How We Picked
- Length of intro period: We prioritized cards offering at least 15 months of 0% APR on balance transfers. Standouts include Shield Visa (24 months) and Reflect (21 months).
- Balance-transfer fees: We compared 3–5% fees and highlighted limited lower-fee windows like Simplicity’s initial 3% period.
- Ongoing APR & annual fee: Lower post-promo rates and €0 annual fees improved rankings across these five picks.
- Rewards & perks: We favored cards that remain valuable beyond the promo, like Freedom Unlimited and Blue Cash Everyday.
- Consumer protections: Extras such as cell-phone protection on Reflect and no-penalty features on Simplicity influenced the ordering.
FAQs
How does a balance-transfer credit card work?
A balance-transfer card lets you move debt from one or more cards onto a new account, usually at a 0% introductory rate. After approval, you request the transfer; the new issuer pays your old balances and you repay the new card (plus a transfer fee). During the intro period you pay no interest; once it ends, the standard APR applies. Always pay on time.
Can I transfer more than one balance?
Yes. Most issuers allow multiple balances as long as the total (including fees) stays within your credit limit. To keep the promo, complete transfers within the issuer’s window (often 60–120 days).
Do I need good credit to qualify?
Generally, yes. The best 0% offers target good to excellent credit (≈670+). Lenders assess credit history, utilization, income, and recent inquiries. If your score is lower, consider starting with a shorter promo or improving your score first.
What happens if I don’t pay off the balance before the promo ends?
Any remaining balance begins accruing interest at the card’s variable APR. To avoid this, divide your balance by the number of promo months and pay at least that amount monthly. If payoff isn’t realistic, consider another transfer before the end— but factor in additional fees and potential credit impact.
Can I use a balance-transfer card for new purchases?
It depends. Shield Visa, Reflect, Freedom Unlimited, and Blue Cash Everyday offer 0% on purchases and transfers for their promo windows. Simplicity offers 0% on transfers for 21 months (purchases 12 months). Mixing large purchases and transfers can complicate payoff, as issuers typically apply payments to lower-APR balances first—plan accordingly.