Are you looking for a free prepaid credit card without a credit check and want to avoid any financial risk? Our top 5 prepaid credit card comparison for November 2025 shows the most attractive reloadable credit cards and suitable alternatives!
Top 5 prepaid credit cards Dezember 2025 – compare now!
bunq Credit Card
- Free credit card with no annual fee
- Currency exchange in the app
- Smart mobile banking and quick account opening
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
Trade Republic Credit Card
- Free credit card – permanently without annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- 1 percent saveback – on card spending
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
SumUp Pay Mastercard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- 1% Cashback on all purchases worldwide
- Three free domestic withdrawals included
- Pay worldwide without fees
- No SCHUFA check
Revolut Standard Debit Card
- Promotion: 10 euro welcome bonus
- Free credit card – permanently without an annual fee
- Collect valuable points with every euro spent on the card
- Free worldwide cash withdrawal
Note: There are only a few prepaid credit cards that truly convince us as reisetopia financial experts and that we can fully recommend to you without reservations.
For this reason, we decided to expand our credit card comparison to also include other types of cards that offer similar benefits to prepaid cards and likewise do not require a credit check.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Top 5 prepaid credit cards Dezember 2025 – compare now!
- How does a prepaid credit card work?
- What are the advantages of prepaid credit cards?
- What are the disadvantages of prepaid credit cards?
- Who benefits from a prepaid credit card?
- What are our experiences with the best prepaid credit cards?
- Which is the best prepaid card in comparison?
- What are the best alternatives to a prepaid credit card?
- Our conclusion on prepaid credit cards without a credit check
How does a prepaid credit card work?
There are a total of four types of credit cards, which primarily differ in their method of payment:
- Charge credit card
- Debit credit card
- Revolving credit card
- Prepaid credit card
A prepaid credit card is often referred to as a reloadable credit card. As the name suggests, you don’t borrow money when using it — instead, you load funds onto the card in advance. This means a prepaid credit card must always have a balance before you can use it, and it does not come with a credit limit.
You might wonder why it’s even called a “credit card” when it doesn’t actually provide credit. The reason is simple: most prepaid cards are issued by Visa or Mastercard, which are generally known as the world’s largest credit card networks.
Carrying a Visa or Mastercard gives you access to millions of payment locations worldwide. With a prepaid credit card, you can enjoy many of the same advantages as a regular credit card, while avoiding certain drawbacks — for example, credit checks or the risk of going into debt.
Furthermore, because no extensive credit check is required, prepaid credit cards are generally instant approval cards. You can apply for a prepaid credit card immediately and start loading funds and making payments right away.
A prepaid credit card works in such a way that after applying for the card with the respective bank, you receive an online account in which the transactions are collected. However, before you can make such transactions, you must first top up your card account and transfer credit.
This usually works via a normal bank transfer, although there are other ways to top up a prepaid credit card. From this point on, you can use your prepaid Visa or Mastercard just like a normal credit card. However, if your credit is used up, your card will no longer be accepted and you must top it up again.
What is a single-use credit card?
A single-use credit card refers to cards that are usually virtual and valid only for a certain period. This type of card is mostly used for online purchases, as the short validity provides higher security and reduces the possibility of fraud.
We have summarized the features of a single-use credit card for you:
- ⏰ Temporary validity: The validity of a single-use credit card is usually limited to one month or specific transactions.
- 🖥️ Online card: A single-use credit card can also be virtual. In this case, it is not issued as a physical plastic card and can only be used for online payments.
- 💳 Limited amount: Some single-use credit cards may have a maximum limit or spending restriction.
- 🔐 Security: Since the single-use credit card is often limited to a certain period and specific transactions, it is often safer than regular credit cards, as it reduces the risk of fraud.
What are the advantages of prepaid credit cards?
Anyone who uses a prepaid credit card enjoys several advantages compared to other types. We summarize these for you and explain how to make the most of them!
All advantages at a glance:
- Billing of the prepaid card
- Easy application without a credit check
- No risk of debt
- Can be purchased at gas stations
- Ideal for minors
Most important advantage: billing of the prepaid card
Certainly the first and most important advantage of a prepaid credit card is the billing and payment method. Because the card is loaded in advance, you have full control over your spending at all times and can precisely estimate how much money you are spending with the card.
Note: In addition, you can plan your budget much better and decide in advance how much money you want to spend.
This can be very practical, for example, when traveling abroad. You can load your budget onto the card before the trip and in any case never spend more than the balance. The top-up process is usually relatively straightforward, so you can cover the card balance easily via a standard bank transfer.
Easy application without a credit check
Since a prepaid credit card is not a financial product that allows you to go into debt, it is simply not necessary to obtain a credit check (such as SCHUFA) when applying.
You can apply for such a credit card without having a good credit score. That’s exactly why most banks waive the credit check and issue the prepaid credit card completely without a credit check.
This also means that applying for a prepaid card is much simpler than for a regular credit card. You don’t have to wait a long time for the card to arrive, and identification requirements are often waived. In some extreme cases, such as the Money2go Card, you can even buy your new prepaid credit card at a supermarket and start using it immediately — it doesn’t get any easier than that.
Additionally, for any prepaid credit card, for example a free prepaid credit card without a checking account, you don’t need to open a new bank account, unlike with the ING or comdirect credit cards.
No risk of debt
Since a prepaid credit card has no credit limit, you cannot accumulate debt with it. With regular credit cards, this is often one of the most advertised advantages, as banks earn money from the interest that accrues.
Can be purchased at gas stations
If you want to get a prepaid credit card, in some countries you can even buy it at a gas station without any problems. It is important to check in advance which prepaid cards are available at the desired gas station.
Possible gas stations where prepaid credit cards can be purchased include Aral, Esso, Shell, and Jet. You can also top up the card at these stations, which allows you, for example, to pay directly at the pump.
Ideal for minors
A prepaid credit card for minors is a practical solution to teach teenagers responsible money management and digital payments. Since they work only on a preloaded balance, there is no risk of debt. Parents retain full control, can set limits, and can top up the account whenever needed.
These cards are especially practical for allowance, school trips, or online purchases and as preparation for responsible financial management in adulthood.
Differences between a prepaid credit card and a regular credit card:
| Prepaid credit card | Regular credit card | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Deducted immediately from balance | Monthly billing |
| Credit Check | ❌ | ✅ |
| Credit Limit | Only within loaded balance | ✅ |
| Available at Gas Stations | Partially possible | ❌ |
| For Minors | From approx. 12 years | From 18 years |
What are the disadvantages of prepaid credit cards?
Unfortunately, prepaid credit cards don’t only have advantages — there are also disadvantages. In fact, there are quite a few, because, as mentioned earlier, banks earn a large portion of their revenue from installment payments on regular credit cards, which do not exist with prepaid cards. This means that the money has to be earned elsewhere, which, of course, affects you as the customer.
High fees with prepaid credit cards
The most important disadvantage you should always keep in mind when looking for a free prepaid credit card is the hidden fees.
Relevant fees for credit cards, particularly for prepaid models, include the following:
- Activation fee
- Annual fee (also called a basic fee)
- Foreign transaction fee (fee for payments abroad)
- Cash withdrawal fees
- Payment fees
- Top-up fees
- Inactivity fee (charged if you do not use the card for a long time)
As you can easily see, the list of potential fees is quite long. One particularly striking point is that it can even cost money to make payments and this can happen even domestically. This is, of course, not the case with all models, but it can occur.
When choosing a prepaid credit card, pay close attention to the fee structure and make sure to research thoroughly beforehand so you aren’t caught by surprise. The costs are usually very hidden, so you should carefully review the terms and conditions of each card before making a decision.
Tip: There are also free credit cards that allow you to avoid all these fees. Feel free to check out our free credit card comparison!
Acceptance of prepaid credit cards
Besides fees, another issue with prepaid credit cards is that they are not always treated the same as regular credit cards. This can be particularly problematic when traveling, as you often need to provide a security deposit.
For example, when checking into a hotel or booking a rental car, you are usually asked for a credit card to secure a deposit. If you use a prepaid credit card in these situations, there is a high chance that the card will be declined.
This is because the amount for the deposit is only placed on hold rather than actually charged. Since a prepaid card doesn’t have a credit line, the provider can’t place that kind of hold on it.
Less financial flexibility
What may initially seem like a big advantage of prepaid credit cards is also a disadvantage. While you always have full control over your spending, you can also be unlucky in unforeseen situations.
For example, imagine you are abroad with your credit card and have planned your expenses in advance, but suddenly need to spend more money than planned. In that case, your budget is used up, and you have no way to access additional funds or in extreme cases, you may have to pay significantly higher fees to get money. For this reason, we always recommend keeping a travel credit card in your wallet.
Missing advantages compared to regular credit cards
The most important disadvantage of a prepaid credit card is that, in principle, it offers nothing beyond the ability to make payments. The fact that you may also have to pay fees for this convenience does not make the overall product particularly attractive.
Considering that you usually pay a significant annual fee for a prepaid credit card, plus numerous additional fees, it may be worth applying for a regular credit card instead.
For example, there are many credit cards that offer benefits such as airport lounge access, earning miles, or important insurance coverage.
Who benefits from a prepaid credit card?
Despite the many significant disadvantages, a prepaid credit card can be useful for certain purposes. Looking at the key advantages — no credit check and no risk of debt — it becomes clear who might benefit from a prepaid card.
In general, you should consider applying for a prepaid credit card if:
- You cannot get a regular credit card due to poor credit ✓
- You are under 18 years old and therefore cannot get a regular credit card ✓
- You are looking for the perfect card for your children (e.g., for a trip or similar) ✓
- You are concerned about your financial security and fear falling into debt ✓
- You do not have a regular or sufficiently high income ✓
These criteria naturally point to teenagers, whether they apply for a prepaid credit card online themselves or receive one from their parents but also to students going abroad for a semester.
Prepaid cards can also be a good option for freelancers and asylum seekers, as applying for a regular credit card is often difficult due to credit requirements. Thanks to the low financial risk, even those with a poor credit score can usually obtain a reloadable credit card.
What are our experiences with the best prepaid credit cards?
Whether you are looking for a free prepaid credit card or generally a credit card without a credit check, you want to find a model that is attractive and reliable.
Our experiences with prepaid credit cards also show that there are only a few truly recommendable options. The reisetopia financial experts have tested various models and compared them using the following criteria:
- Credit card fees (annual fee, cash withdrawal fee, and foreign transaction fee)
- Repayment options (installments, full payment, direct debit, bank transfer, and potential interest)
- Experiences of the reisetopia financial experts with the cards
- Additional benefits (insurance, lounge access, prepaid balance, and other features)
Especially regarding fees, our experience reports show that there can be significant differences compared to other cards in credit card comparisons. Anyone looking for a truly good card should also consider debit cards, which often offer similar repayment options and also do not require a credit check. According to our experience, the following debit and prepaid credit cards in Germany are the best choice:
- N26 MasterCard
- bunq Mastercard
- Revolut Debit Card
If you have the option to apply for another card, it’s worth taking a look at our analysis of the most attractive free credit cards — based on our years of experience with financial products, you can find better offers with a more favorable price-performance ratio.
Which is the best prepaid card in comparison?
If you have decided to apply for a prepaid credit card, the next step is to compare the different providers and choose a model. Pay attention to fees and acceptance to find the card that best suits your needs!
The best prepaid card that we, as reisetopia financial experts, can recommend is the N26 Flex Mastercard:
The N26 Flex Mastercard is the ideal solution for anyone looking for a simple and secure credit card — even without perfect credit. No credit check and full cost control provide you with maximum flexibility in everyday life. Whether for online shopping, travel, or daily use, the N26 Flex ensures you are always well equipped.
N26 MasterCard
- Permanently without annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals in the Euro-zone
- Free bank account included
Prepaid credit card without a bank account
There are also prepaid credit cards that can be applied for completely without a bank account. Often, such prepaid cards can even be purchased at gas stations.
Finally, we want to highlight three models that are relatively comparable: the CristalCard, InsideCard, and PayangoCard. All of these are issued by a company belonging to LBBW, so you can be confident that you are dealing with a reputable provider.
Besides that, the individual models differ only slightly. Overall, we recommend the PayangoCard the most, as it has the lowest annual fee and fulfills the purpose of a prepaid credit card without an annual fee very well.
PayangoCard
- Pepaid credit card with full cost control
- Application without credit check
- Rejection of the application is very unlikely
- Includes a free design of your choice
What are the best alternatives to a prepaid credit card?
As you have probably already noticed, prepaid credit cards are not ideal in terms of value for money compared to regular credit cards. That’s why we want to briefly show you what you are “missing out on” if you choose a prepaid model.
As experienced financial experts, we are familiar with a wide variety of credit card models that can often be more suitable than a pure prepaid credit card, depending on your life situation and needs. We recommend that you don’t limit yourself to prepaid solutions but also take a look at other card offerings that match your personal financial situation.
Among free credit cards, there are many different models from a variety of banks. We have created a comparison for you with the current best prepaid credit cards in Germany. Below you will also find our top 3 models in detail.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
The Hanseatic Bank GenialCard is an excellent choice for anyone who values financial freedom and fair terms. With 0 € annual fee, fee-free payments worldwide, and no fees for cash withdrawals abroad, it clearly stands out from other credit cards.
Thanks to its easy-to-use features and flexible repayment options, it is a reliable companion not only for travel but also for everyday use. For us, the Hanseatic Bank GenialCard is the number one recommendation for anyone who appreciates convenience and transparency.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide*
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide**
- Repayment in small and flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
Among free Mastercards, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is also one of our top recommendations. This free credit card is a reliable companion for travel, as no foreign transaction fees are charged, allowing fee-free payments worldwide.
The included travel insurance completes the package, making the TF Bank Mastercard Gold a recommended travel credit card. For those needing additional liquidity, the TF Bank card offers an attractive option, as it provides a 51-day interest-free period, meaning cardholders receive a free credit for this duration.
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Free credit card
- Payments worldwide without any fees
- Travel cancellation insurance included
- Foreign health insurance included
Barclays Visa
The Barclays Visa is also a promising choice among free credit cards. It offers fee-free cash withdrawals and payments worldwide, making it an indispensable companion for travel.
In addition, it provides an interest-free credit period of up to 2 months, allowing financial flexibility without extra costs. With these benefits, the Barclays Visa is the perfect choice for anyone who values reliability and cost-efficiency.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
Our conclusion on prepaid credit cards without a credit check
Prepaid credit cards are still much more common in everyday use than they probably should be. High fees, few benefits, and limited flexibility make these cards far less attractive compared to regular credit cards.
Nevertheless, there are specific situations where a prepaid credit card can be a good choice, for example, if you need a card for a world trip. If you are already a customer of a traditional bank and can improve the conditions that way, that is probably the better option.
bunq Credit Card
- Free credit card with no annual fee
- Currency exchange in the app
- Smart mobile banking and quick account opening
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
Trade Republic Credit Card
- Free credit card – permanently without annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- 1 percent saveback – on card spending
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
SumUp Pay Mastercard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- 1% Cashback on all purchases worldwide
- Three free domestic withdrawals included
- Pay worldwide without fees
- No SCHUFA check
Revolut Standard Debit Card
- Promotion: 10 euro welcome bonus
- Free credit card – permanently without an annual fee
- Collect valuable points with every euro spent on the card
- Free worldwide cash withdrawal
