Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. * Order Your Card Already have a PayPal Prepaid Card account? Recharging via bank transfer is free of charge. This is the reason, why we can answer detailed questions. Most banks require a place of residency within Germany and a regular salary payment. The card reader and the cashier do not pay attention to the colour of the card. Such vouchers are issued by the taxable person, who can calculate the VAT upon transfer. Unlike credit cards, gift cards are usually issued by a retailer or bank. Here are our picks for the best prepaid credit cards in Germany without a SCHUFA credit check. Most credit cards on this site provide this integrated feature: Barclaycard, Comdirect, DKB, ING-DiBa, Fidor SmartCard. Why should one combine a payment card with an insurance product? Or I cant because I am recently not resident of Germany? If one only pays the minimum amount, which is sometimes only Euros 25, then one accumulates credit card debt on the credit card account. Be careful about prepaid cards purchased in the US. We sold our first digital gift card in Germany in 2014. For example, you can buy prepaid card at the gas station. Recharging via SEPA bank transfer has a 0,9% fee. If one settles the credit card account on time so not only paying the minimum rate, but the full amount then everything is free for the customer. Every verified German bank account in combination with a virtual VIMpay Mastercard (Standard & Premium) --. no issuing fee free recharging by bank transfer high-quality card with embossing quick and easy online application English customer service, 39,90 euros yearly fee 1,95% (min. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. Hello Everyone, It is also a great gift for family members living abroad and especially useful for young people. The credit card service of German banks is generally better. For that we have two providers on our specialty portal: In case one is willing to put ones salary into a new giro account, then there are also DKB and Comdirect that might be an option. As another co-badging option, combined . but I wanted to double check: I understood it is one of the best and more comprehensive on the market and since I am travelling quite often for my job or for personal reason with my family, I would like to be insured and protected in case of cancellation, reschedule, damage/loss of bags, etc; American Express is also accepted in big chain stores, but not in every shop. Look for a button that says something like "Activate Your Card." Mastercard VIABUY 3. Portal for clever banking in Germany and abroad. Maestro cards work on a single-message debit system, where when you swipe your card, the money moves from your bank account to the merchant. motor vehicle insurance within Germany and abroad. 0.3.% of sales. Are travel cards still useful even if you dont travel much? You can use it wherever MasterCard works. From my point of view, it is not particularly attractive, because it only includes insurance services for the annual fee of currently Euros 250. Use this card online with a 2% foreign exchange fee for purchases outside the U.S. Any exceptions can easily be found on the list of prohibited countries. You can find this account number on the backside of the MasterCard (at least when you order it via the German language site, like I have done). Through the automatic billing, the customer saves the transfer of the credit card billing amount. With a credit card, you can withdraw money at any ATM worldwide. However, I do not recommend it. Most favourable for the stores are payments using debit cards, which are most common in Germany too. Create a Custom Card Pre-designed Gift Cards Save time and choose from 100's of unique designs perfect for all occasions. Mastercard via N26 bank is the best card for expats in Germany that is accepted worldwide. There are multiple reasons why owning a credit card has many advantages. Similarly, their acceptance is relatively high in Germany. Instructions! Thanks a lot. How to prepare before travelling to Germany Go with Visa or Mastercard. All providers we are listing below do not check your credit score with SCHUFA, and you do not have to provide a salary statement. no annual fee high-quality card with embossing 3 years card validity quick and easy 3-minute online-application, 89,90 euros one-time issuing fee 1,25% fee for each recharge 1,99 euros / month if inactive 2,49% / cash withdrawal in Germany and abroad 2,49% foreign currency fees only German website & customer service. However, you will become a customer of a bank that checks the customer more into detail as a prepaid provider: New: PayCenter offers a full Online current account with MasterCard. Since 2012 I stay in Ukraine, my account is still valid but Id like to change Gold card with standard card due to high charges and fees. You will have to pay a one-time issuing fee of 89,90 euros and each recharge of the card carries a fee of 1,25%. Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. We have researched the best prepaid credit cards in Germany for you. Money2Go Prepaid Mastercard 5. Who absolutely wants to have a Platinum-card anyway, can query the PDF-application through the customer service. I am considering to request an american express platinum for the following reasons: You can pay with it as often as youd like until the balance reaches zero. I want a credit card like gebuhrenfrei but is it possible that I can set the limit/overdraft to zero? BR Tech Services, Inc. NMLS ID #1743443 | NMLS Consumer Access. Apply successfully for a loan in Germany (being an immigrant)!? The credit card transactions (Kartenumstze) are automatically settled after the clearance of account (Rechnungsabschluss) with the current account. Then you can spend your card on any ecommerce website using the 16-digit card number, the Valid Thru date, and the 3-digit security code. These are usually between 1% and 3% at Visa and Mastercard. This bundling is appreciated by many German citizens. For instance, which pages visitors go to most often and if they get error messages from web pages. In Germany, the customer has to pay for almost all credit cards of American Express. We offer prepaid Mastercard Gift Cards in a variety of patterns and designs. It's low cost and requires no effort from you - all you need to do is enter a few details. Depending on the merchant, split-tender payments may be declined. Such a provider will probably not exist, because such a practice goes against several German and European regulations. I appreciate your advice! It would probably be easiest to take a credit card of the Commerzbank, as this bank already knows your creditworthiness and your income. Usually one must become a customer directly with a credit card account. Everywhere in Germany where you see you card symbol Visa or Mastercard, you can pay with the card. I was Platinum Business customer in 2012-2013 as a summary Id like to say, what American Express Germany does best, is marketing. Visa and Mastercard giftcards In addition to some strong rewards credit cards, Mastercard offers an international prepaid gift card and a prepaid travel card. A black credit card does not have the same meaning in Germany as in some other countries. Whether the plastic card is combined with a revolving account on which the credit card debt is accumulated or not. The product names used on this website are for identification purposes only. Plus, add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to spend and save with confidenceright from your phone. When purchased online. Subject to activation and identity verifications. Place of residence in Germany, a regular income and a moderate to very good creditworthiness rating. first of all, thanks for this very interesting article, full of useful information. Hi, I am looking for something which I can also use to make transactions online in Germany and in person while travelling abroad. The Joker MasterCard is a prepaid card, this means that prior to any use it must be loaded. A MasterCard gift card is typically issued by some bank. However, most other payment platforms now rely on dual-message debit and credit cards, where when you swipe your card, your bank makes a "promise" to the merchant that the money will be there. Just redeem your instant code to receive your Prepaid Mastercard Gift Card and pay securely online at a variety of websites! Hi Tanja, really helpful page which is the first to help me in my problem so far! I have a brother who lives in Lebanon and I want to hbrp him and send him a card that Ill be able to recharge from Germany (preferably not at a bank) and he will be able to use it for ATM cash withdrawl. Hence why I never opened a traditional bank account in Germany and went with more modern N26, where I don't pay anything and get both Maestro and Mastercard cards, free of charge. Pure credit card companies (Kreditkartengesellschaften) are often foreign companies, who have a license in Germany. travelling a lot, insurances as. In combination with a current account, there is also a number of German banks that offer prepaid credit cards. From your article I guess the only options are viabuy, payangoCard or onlinekonto.de? quick and easy online application English website and customer service, 9,95 euros one-time issuing fee 7,95 euros yearly fee (starting the 2nd year) 2,50 euros / month if inactive for 3 months 0,95 euros recharge fee by bank transfer 4,95 euros fee on ATM cash withdrawal in Germany and abroad 2,5% foreign currency fees no embossing on the card. Commerzbank is 7,9 Euro pro Monat and Deutsche Bank is around 6,5 euro, what do you recommend? I have had a deutsche bank account throughout this time. Ive tried several LT cards, UK card, also paypal.. the same problem. The success rate for the account and credit card application is more than 99%. I am already client of amex, but in my original country, where I have an amex corporate, for free but with limited additional services/benefits. South Africa, our cards are blocked. Now I need a Credit card mostly to help with my Online purchases or covering expenses while travelling to USA/UK on business. We use cookies for an optimally functioning website, including tracking and social media cookies. The payment should be the same as a normal shopping. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. The problem with N26 is that it is not as useful for frequent use as gebuhrenfrei could be because of limited cash withdrawals on EC karte as well as visa card. The Novum Bank offers a no-fee Mastercard with credit limit: you can apply for it online and receive your virtual credit card immediately after the application. I have been a credit card since 1 year but I am not happy with their service at all. 1.6 out of 5 stars with 13 ratings. What do you recommend in this situation? In this case, theres no purpose to have a credit card. It is true that this card is not really promoted by the DKB furthermore, one cannot even apply for it online. Guide to eGift Cards + Top Frequently Asked Questions, What To Try If Your Prepaid Card Is Declined. When purchased online. My name is Tanja and if you continue reading, you will find out why I and this page exist read more. Purchase gift cards in denominations ranging from $10 to $500. The Mastercard Black&White Card is an awarded high-quality prepaid credit card with no annual fees. What are the best prepaid credit cards in Germany. Take our 3 minute quiz and match with an advisor today. Thank you very much! I read in the price-performance-list of the DKB that there is also a DKB-MasterCard Platinum. Could you recommend me the cheapest DE prepaid card, which non-German citizens/residents can get. Anyway, it is the cards that you can order the easiest way (online identity check) and is also mailed to England. Especially for expats, a prepaid credit card without a SCHUFA credit check is a fantastic alternative, whether you have unsuccessfully tried to apply for a true credit card or simply want to be in control of your spendings. While purchases in euros are free of charge, there is a 2,49% fee on foreign currency purchases. This German credit card has several advantages: No monthly/annual fee. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Many thanks. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. 1.Open the Wallet/App on your device. Thank you sssoooooo much. 3453 posts. I wish you good decisions and a good time in Germany! Also, these cards can be reloaded, which means you can simply put more money on the card when needed. The balance on the card might not be enough to cover the amount of the purchase plus a possibly added transaction or conversion fee. Can you buy gift cards with a credit card? PPRO Financial Ltd and with that Viabuy have bases in several European states. Barclay New Visa Card editorial integrity, For this reason, most branded gift cards are US-bound. In addition, the prevalence of credit cards is not that high, because local banks often issue them only hesitantly and with too high fees. All N26 bank cards are Mastercard debit cards that come with contactless NFC technologyeven our bespoke-design metal Mastercard. We have decided to describe the best offers in our point of view and answer the questions on their optimal use. What to do when you lose your 401(k) match, credit card with no foreign transaction fees, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, 7 tips for using credit cards while traveling. The due date for the payment was a Monday and on the previous Friday I went to the bank asking them to correct the amount to be debited from my account. However, you should consider an important difference: Some providers start to calculate the expensive loan rate already on the day of the cash withdrawal and not like cashless card transactions that start after the interest-free weeks. free recharging by bank transfer high-quality card with embossing 4 years card validity no balance limit quick and easy online application, 25 euros one-time issuing fee 25 euros yearly fee (starting the 2nd year) 2% fee (min. Or should I choose another option, like loans? Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. Nowadays, even the prepaid credit cards are available in the supposedly coveted colours for a relatively small fee. Viabuy has been founded by very smart people, who cleverly used the laws and regulations within the European Union, Germany and Great Britain. I was able to increase my limit this way up to a high four-figure amount. Hi Tanja, Is it really German card? Also, you will receive an IBAN. Prepaid options are great, but youll likely be best prepared for international spending with a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. 3 Miles per $1 spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases. American Express only plays a minor role in Germany. If you are able to create an account for yourself and link a US cc you can search for gift card and purchase gift cards. With this information, you will have a good basis to make your decision when selecting your credit cards in Germany. How can I check my prepaid virtual Mastercard balance? Have you already tested this card or can you say something about it? However, the credit limit is only as high as the credit paid in advance. Why TransferWise for international transfers? Maestro cards are used widely in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, and much less everywhere else. She said that she would call me back or that she would send me an email, as I preferred. He should call his bank. I am trying to find the answer to this question but there isnt any definite answer I have found yet. The insurance package is usually bought through a higher annual fee for the credit card. 1) full insurance coverage (rentals cars, trips cancellation, medical accidents, etc). Even without incoming money, the account and card still remain permanently without monthly or annual fee. Lets say you want to rent a car in Germany or abroad. Loans for self-employed persons and freelancers in Germany, 10 reasons for a bank account in Germany, at a bank with current account or at a credit card company, prepaid, debit, automatic billing or revolving, type: Visa credit card, Mastercard or American Express, https://www.deutscheskonto.org/en/number26-international/, https://www.deutscheskonto.org/en/viabuy/, A summary of the 11 most important functions about DKB Visa card, How to open a bank account in Germany online, there are further risks insurances, depending on the provider . And the service standard of American Express is at international average. As previously described, banks earn money through the use of the credit card, even if the cardholder does not know about it and it does not appear on the card statement. Later they will deliver my goods from DE to LT. We do not know any German card provider regardless of bank or not-bank that would allow to open an account in your own name and then give the card to somebody else. The Hanseatic Bank GenialCard is a revolving credit card in Germany with a good reputation. Von Alex / Juni 17, 2022 / debit card, germany. Can I use this Prepaid Mastercard outside the U.S.? Here: Viabuy. Online loans in Germany tested and the benefit for you! Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. Various types of credit cards are also issued in Germany. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. We only focus here on some of the very best (from our subjective point of view). Meaning If I do not put any money in that card, I should not be able to do any transaction but at the same time the charges of that should be like gebuhrenfrei or DKB. Our vision is that buying prepaid cards online should be easy, fast and convenient. Sometimes, the brands disappear after some time from the market. For example, the one of Number26 and our article about the use of it on trips abroad: https://www.deutscheskonto.org/en/number26-international/. What credit cards can I use in Germany? The following cards dont have this feature yet: Viabuy and PayCenter. A considerable number of businesses in Germany do not accept credit cards. If one is a customer at a credit card company or would like to become a customer there, one can also order the automatic billing. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. I live in Germany for 1 year and needed to buy furniture. Until then, no credit interest applies. I have been living in Germany for a little over two years. Buy your virtual Mastercard Gift Card now with instant email delivery and use it within seconds. However, the accounting periods (Abrechnungsperioden) differ from bank to bank (DKB: 1 month, Comdirect: 1 month (until 2105 it was still 1 week), ING-DiBa: 1 day just to mention the conditions of the market leading direct banks). 1. My true charge credit card remains safe as a backup, while the prepaid credit card is in my wallet for daily use. You can shop for an Amazon Gift Card on Amazon using a MasterCard Gift Card, but not the other way around. I and my partner have linked gold credit cards from Hypovereinsbank. I have been living in Germany for three years now, first as a student and now with a stable job. Hello, relocated to Germany and travel around the world a lot. You might be able to buy a gift card at Amazon.de. There are more than 2,000 banks and even more card models in Germany. Don't miss Congrats gift card from $10 at Mastercard Gift Card. Recharging via bank transfer is free of charge, and the transfer has to be made to a Commerzbank account with the mentioning of your credit card number. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. Our vision is that buying prepaid cards online should be easy, fast and convenient. That is a very good question, many thanks! This data in aggregate form is used to improve our websites and apps. Do you have any tips or opinion on how the DB credit card is? In Germany there are free providers of debit cards. do not work overseas. Good luck for your business! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Someone who has helped more than 100,000 people to obtain a new bank account in the past 7 years. We don't want store-specific cards, but rather something good as close to anywhere in Germany as possible. Trick How to get a loan up to 5,000 within 24 hours! Still, the provider gains new customers every day and is growing. Since fall 2022, you will also receive a German bank account with its own IBAN, when applying for the prepaid credit card. The Prepaid MasterCard Gift Card allows recipients to make their purchases online without needing a bank account or worrying about overspending. One of the first providers is number26. (English speaking), Open an online-current account in Germany this is possible here . this post may contain references to products from our partners. It will not make any difference to you in price, however, it allows us to keep Simple Germany alive and striving. If you are able to create an account for yourself and link a US cc you can search for "gift card" and purchase gift cards. But this is something you are already familiar with from the U.S., anyway. Credit card companies do not like the bursting of a direct debit at all, because the manual processing is expensive and they become worried about the repayment. In particular, these services are: There are more than 20 million cards of each of the two major credit card banks in this country. They will check first this is common for insurance companies whether there is a reason that they do not have to pay. A single-purpose voucher is a voucher where the place of supply of the goods or services to which the voucher relates, and the VAT due on those goods or services, are known at the time the voucher is issued. What is the general preference? Master Card This is due to the security structure Viabuy uses. Its transactions will be debited immediately from the current account.