The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority has published a survey of credit card costs in order to encourage consumers to shop around and get the lowest rates possible.

The financial regulator advised consumers to check the survey against their credit card bill to see if they are getting the best rate.

"If the rate in the survey is lower than the rate you are paying on your card contact your lender and ask for a lower rate," the regulator said.

It also said that customers should be conscious that they may be earning more now than when they originally applied for their card and could qualify for a lower rate of interest. "If you have had your card for a number of years and your rate has not changed - ask your providers for a rate review," it said.

Permanent TSB had the lowest credit card interest rate in the survey. The bank's Ice Visa card had an interest rate of 9.9 per cent. The minimum qualifying salary for the card was €25,000. The bank's Classic card, for which there is no minimum salary requirement, charged 16.7 per cent.

The next best rate was offered by the EBS. Members could get a card charging a rate of 10.9 per cent. Otherwise its Standard card charged 16.9 per cent.

National Irish Bank charged 11.9 per cent to users of its Gold card, while it charged 14.9 per cent to users of its Standard card. There were no minimum salary rates for either card.

Ulster Bank charged 12.9 per cent to customers with its Zinc card (minimum salary €30,000) while charging 17.9 per cent to customers with its Standard card.

Bank of Ireland charged 13.9 per cent to its Gold Advantage customers while Standard Advantage customers were charged 16.8 per cent.

Tesco Personal Finance charged its customers 14.9 per cent while AIB charged 16.9 per cent. The highest rate recorded by the survey was being charged by American Express, which charged 18.9 per cent.

Most credit card providers charge 1.75 per cent for non-euro purchases, the survey found.

The full survey is available at www.itsyourmoney.ie