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> The main difference between credit cards in Europe and in the US is that poor people can't get them here.

Nah, really the main difference is that the EU caps interchange (paid ultimately by the merchant) at 0.3%, whereas it can be upwards of 3% in the US for high-end cards. Without big interchange earnings, there's little reason for issuers to push credit cards, and they're less attractive to consumers (interchange pays for 'reward' schemes).

I was denied credit card after changing jobs. I did have some student debt, but small amount on small payment and rates were low. Also had other credit card but not high limit. Nothing in negative credit history.

Did get the same card a few months later after probationary period. But yeah even without significant existing debt you can get denied in Europe.

Let's not pretend that predatory lending is not a thing in at least some EU countries as well, just because it takes other forms (installment payments, buy now pay later etc.), but as a general trend, I'd agree that it's much less common.