Having a low credit score — or no credit history at all — does not mean you cannot get a credit card in Colombia. In 2026, several institutions have products specifically designed for people in that profile: low limits, clear terms, and the goal of helping you build a credit history from scratch. The key is knowing which institutions accept scores from 550, what initial limit to expect, and — most importantly — how to use that card correctly so it actually raises your score rather than sinking you into debt.
The credit score in Colombia is dynamic: what determines whether you qualify today is not permanent. Institutions that offer products for low scores understand that someone with a score of 570 could be an excellent payer in the future — they just need history to prove it. The risk model of these institutions accepts more uncertainty in exchange for lower limits (which cap their exposure) and higher rates (which compensate for the risk). For you as a user, this means you can access a history-building tool, provided you use it with discipline. A card with a $1,000,000 limit used correctly for 12 months can raise your score by 60 to 100 points, opening the path to better products.
Nu Mastercard accepts scores from approximately 500–550 and is the lowest-friction option: 100% digital process, no annual fee, initial limit between $500,000 and $2,000,000. Its rate is between 2.2% and 2.6% monthly. Banco Falabella CMR accepts from approximately 560 and has the advantage of being a card with benefits within the Falabella ecosystem (Homecenter, Falabella, Sodimac). Typical initial limit: $600,000–$1,500,000. Davivienda Classic accepts from approximately 580–600 with demonstrable income; the advantage is that Davivienda actively raises the limit if you pay well for 6 months. Alkosto and Éxito also have store-branded cards that approve from 550, useful if you already shop at those chains. Avoid institutions not supervised by the Superfinanciera that offer "easy" cards — rates may exceed the legal usury ceiling.
Having the card is not enough — behavior is what matters. The golden rule is to keep utilization below 30% of the limit. If you have a $1,000,000 limit, do not use more than $300,000 at any point in the billing cycle. Pay the full statement balance before the due date, not just the minimum: this avoids interest and builds the best possible history. Make a minimum monthly purchase so the card reports activity — a $50,000 or $100,000 charge paid in full is enough. DataCrédito updates information every 30 days; if you maintain low utilization and full payment for 6 consecutive months, the impact on your score is visible and significant. At 12 months of good behavior, many institutions offer an automatic limit increase.
The number-one mistake is paying only the minimum. On a balance of $800,000 at 2.4% monthly, the minimum is barely $40,000 — of which nearly $20,000 goes to interest. The balance barely decreases and after 12 months you will have paid $480,000 extra without meaningfully reducing the debt. The second mistake is maxing out the limit from the start: 100% utilization damages the score immediately. The third mistake is having more than two cards in the first 12 months: each application generates a DataCrédito inquiry that temporarily lowers your score. One card used correctly beats three cards managed chaotically. The fourth mistake is not reviewing the statement: unrecognized charges, over-billed fees, and billing errors are more common than they seem.