There are multiple reasons why owning a credit card has many advantages. We have researched the best prepaid credit cards in Germany for you. 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.
In this guide, we will review and compare the best prepaid credit cards in Germany without a SCHUFA credit check; here is a quick summary:
| Viabuy Mastercard | PayangoCard | Money2Go | Commerzbank Prepaid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Website |  |  | | |
| Annual Fee | €19,90 | €25 | €7,95 | €39,90 |
| Issuing Fee | €69,90 | €25 | €9,95 | free |
| Embossing on Card | | | | |
| Recharging Fee | 0,9% | free via bank transfer | €0,95 | free via bank transfer |
| Cash Withdrawal Fee | €5 | 2% (min. €2,50) | €4,95 | 1,95% (mins. €5,98) |
| Foreign Currency Fee | 2,75% | 1,5% | 2,5% | 1,75% |
After reading this guide, you will have a better understanding of why a prepaid credit card is a good option, and you will be able to pick the right provider for your usage and needs.
What is a prepaid credit card?
A prepaid credit card only works if you transfer money from your checking account before use. This is great for controlling your spending or setting yourself a budget; however, you do not have a ‘true’ credit.
Yet a prepaid credit card is a great alternative or supplement for a proper credit card, as it is easy to get, especially for expats, who do not have a credit score yet. All providers we are listing below do not check your credit score with SCHUFA, and you do not have to provide a salary statement.
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6 reasons why you should consider a prepaid credit card in Germany
The reasons for needing a prepaid credit card are not any different as to why it is good to have a regular credit card.
1. International payments
A credit card allows you to make purchases outside the Eurozone. The old-school German girocard you receive with a traditional German bank account will either not be accepted or cause you very high fees.
2. Money withdrawal abroad
Depending on what country you are traveling to, you should carry some cash with you. With a credit card, you can withdraw money at any ATM worldwide.
3. Online payments
While shopping online, depending on the product and online store you use, you require a debit or credit card.
4. Consumer protection
You can ask your credit card company to recall a payment for up to eight weeks if the amount was false or fraudulent. When you pay with direct debit, your options for recalling the payment are a lot slimmer.
5. Theft protection
While it sucks, when you get robbed or lose your credit card, a prepaid credit card has the advantage that the balance and possible fraudulent use is capped to the balance on the card. With a regular credit card, the potential misuse might cause you more serious financial damage, depending on your card’s credit limit.
I always travel with two credit cards. My ‘true’ charge credit card remains safe as a backup, while the prepaid credit card is in my wallet for daily use.
6. Deposits and large payments
Let’s say you want to rent a car in Germany or abroad. It is only possible when you can provide a credit card for the deposit. To use your prepaid credit card for such purposes, you need to have wired enough money onto the credit card before you can use it. I have been able to use a prepaid credit card for renting a car when it had enough money on it, although you should double-check with the rental company beforehand, as it does get rejected at times.
What are the best prepaid credit cards in Germany?
Here are our picks for the best prepaid credit cards in Germany without a SCHUFA credit check.
1. Mastercard VIABUY
The Mastercard VIABUY is a high-quality prepaid credit card with an effortless and fast online application.
You will have to pay a one-time fee of 69,90 euros and a yearly fee of 19,90 euros. Recharging via SEPA bank transfer has a 0,9% fee. While purchases in euros are free of charge, there is a 2,75% fee on foreign currency purchases. Each ATM cash withdrawal will be charged 5 euros regardless of the currency.
Mastercard VIABUY benefits:
✅ high-quality card with embossing
✅ quick and easy online application
✅ English website and customer service
Mastercard VIABUY drawbacks:
⛔️ 69,90 euros one-time issuing fee
⛔️ 19,90 euros yearly fee
⛔️ 0,9% recharging fee via SEPA bank transfer
⛔️ 9,95 euros / month if inactive after 12 months
⛔️ 5 euros / cash withdrawal in Germany and abroad
⛔️ 2,75% foreign currency fees
2. PayangoCard
The Visa PayangoCard is a debit card with the functionality of a prepaid credit card. It is issued by the German BW Bank (Landesbank Baden-Württemberg) and comes with an easy and fast online application.
The fees are a bit different than with the previous two providers. The issuing fee is smaller, but the yearly fee is higher. Recharging via bank transfer is free of charge. The transfer has to be made to a BW Bank account with the mentioning of your credit card number. The foreign currency fee is only 1,5%, and cash withdrawals only have a 2% fee (a minimum of 2,50 euros).
PayangoCard benefits:
✅ free recharging by bank transfer
✅ high-quality card with embossing
✅ 4 years card validity
✅ no balance limit
✅ quick and easy online application
PayangoCard drawbacks:
⛔️ 25 euros one-time issuing fee
⛔️ 25 euros yearly fee (starting the 2nd year)
⛔️ 2% fee (min. 2,50 euros) on ATM cash withdrawal in Germany and abroad
⛔️ 1,5% foreign currency fees
⛔️ can only be recharged from the account linked during the registration
⛔️ only German customer service
3. Money2Go Prepaid Mastercard
The Money2Go Prepaid Mastercard is a prepaid credit card issued by the Maltese Novum Bank. It also comes with an easy and fast online application.
The fee model for this card is less than any other provider. Recharging via bank transfer has a small fee of 0,95 euros. The foreign currency fee is only 2,5%, and cash withdrawals have a 4,95 euro fee per ATM withdrawal. This is the only card in this comparison that does not have embossing and thus might be identified faster as a prepaid credit card.
Money2Go Prepaid Mastercard benefits:
✅ quick and easy online application
✅ English website and customer service
Money2Go Prepaid Mastercard drawbacks:
⛔️ 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
4. Commerzbank Prepaid Visa/Mastercard
With Commerzbank, you can choose whether you prefer a Visa or Mastercard prepaid credit card. As with all cards, you can apply efficiently online.
Instead of an issuing fee, it has a higher yearly fee. 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. The foreign currency fee is only 2,5%, and cash withdrawals have a 4,95 euros fee per ATM withdrawal. This is the only card in this comparison that does not have embossing and thus might be identified faster as a prepaid credit card.
Commerzbank prepaid card benefits:
✅ no issuing fee
✅ free recharging by bank transfer
✅ high-quality card with embossing
✅ quick and easy online application
✅ English customer service
Commerzbank prepaid card drawbacks:
⛔️ 39,90 euros yearly fee
⛔️ 1,95% (min. 5,98 euros) fee on ATM cash withdrawal in Germany
⛔️ 1,95% (min. 5,98 euros) +1,75% foreign currency fee on non-euros ATM cash withdrawal
⛔️ 1,75% foreign currency fees
⛔️ no English website for the prepaid card
Final thoughts
When it comes to prepaid credit cards in Germany, I couldn’t find one card without fees. That is the price to pay for not having to prove good credit. Each card in this comparison has its pros and cons, and it depends on your anticipated usage (how often, for how long, with how much balance, etc.), which card is the better option for you.
Should you also be looking for the best free credit card in Germany, we have got you covered: Best Free Credit Cards in Germany.
