What's the difference between AXI Card and a bank credit card?

AXI Card is a credit line issued by an NBFI. You pay interest only on the used amount, no fixed fees. A bank card has a fixed limit, annual fee (28-65 lei typical) and longer interest-free period (45-56 days). AXI accepts scores under 550, banks refuse below 530.

What do I pay if I use 1,250 lei on AXI Card for 30 days?

Zero. The 30-day interest-free period covers any full repayment by the due date. Same amount over 60 days costs about 75 lei in interest. Over 90 days exceeds 150 lei.

Is AXI Card better than Revolut Standard for shopping?

Different products. Revolut is a debit card with optional credit added later. AXI is a credit line from the start. If you have the money on card, Revolut is free. If you want to pay now and repay in 2-3 weeks, AXI allows this at zero cost within 30 days.

Can I repay early without penalty?

Yes, per GEO 50/2010 art. 67. Early partial or full repayment generates no fee on credit card products. AXI publishes this clearly in SECCI.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Standard interest goes up 50% and applies retroactively to the entire used balance, plus daily 0.02% late penalty. Typical case: 1,500 lei used, 10 days late, cost rises 28-45 lei vs the correct scenario. Set up auto-pay to avoid.

AXI Card review 2026: zero fees, when it actually pays off

Most Romanians get a credit card through their current bank. Two problems show up fast: approval needs a 530-580 minimum score, and the annual fee climbs toward 50-80 lei even on cards marketed as 'free first year' once 12 months pass. AXI Card changes the math with a different model: a reloadable credit line up to 4,000 lei, zero fixed fees, approval in hours.

AXI Card is a product of Credius IFN SA, registered with the National Bank of Romania under Law 93/2009. Unlike a classic bank credit card, you don't pay on a fixed limit drawn in tranches. It works as a credit line up to 4,000 lei: when you use it, you pay interest only on the used amount; when you repay, the full limit comes back. Entry cost is zero. No issuance fee, no monthly admin fee, no annual fee.

Real costs appear in two places. The daily rate of 0.19% on the used balance, equivalent to 5.9% per month calculated over 31 days. And penalty interest if you miss the due date, which rises 50% above standard plus a daily late surcharge. For 1,250 lei used and repaid in full within 30 days, net cost is zero — AXI gives 30 interest-free days on the first cycle. The same amount over 60 days runs about 75 lei in cumulative interest.

Profile fit: AXI Card works for people with a 480-550 score where banks refuse, with stable but variable income (sole traders, freelancers), needing occasional sums under 4,000 lei for short periods under 30 days. Avoid it if you need long-term financing over 3 months, have a known fixed amount you'll repay later, or already use a card for ongoing monthly expenses uncovered by salary.

Three practical traps. First: the 30 interest-free days apply only if you fully repay the used sum by the due date. Minimum monthly payment (10% of balance) loses this benefit retroactively over the entire interval. Second: daily interest starts the transaction day, not the due date. Third: repeated multi-cycle use creates a rotating balance that erodes your Credit Bureau score over the medium term.

Your rights are protected by GEO 50/2010. You have 14 calendar days from contract signing for cost-free withdrawal, paying only interest on days used. Early partial or full repayment generates no fee on this product type. To verify AXI's NBFI registration, check bnr.ro Special Register and look for Credius IFN. See our credit card comparator and how APR works.

AXI Card review 2026: zero fees, when it actually pays off

Frequently asked questions