A virtual credit card or online credit card has become increasingly popular in the last few years and is now part of almost every digital wallet. In this guide, we explain what matters most when using this digital payment method and compare the best providers available.
The best virtual credit cards in Germany in comparison 2026:
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
easybank Visa
- Promotion: 60 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Payments worldwide without any fees
- Travel cancellation insurance included
- Foreign health insurance included
Bank Norwegian Visa
- Promotion: 15 Euro welcome bonus
- Free credit card – permanently without annual fee
- Cash withdrawals worldwide
- Worldwide free payments – no foreign transaction fee
- Attractive travel insurance included
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
Basically, a virtual credit card is very similar to a conventional credit card – with one key difference: it has no physical form. Instead of being a plastic card you can carry in your wallet, it exists purely as digital data that can be used to make payments. In our reisetopia credit card comparison, we showcase the best credit cards with real benefits and no hidden fees.
To summarize shortly, a virtual credit card is issued digitally within minutes and lets you pay online right away and even contactless in stores. Free virtual cards are available in Germany from providers like Revolut, N26, C24 and Trade Republic.
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What is a virtual credit card?
If you are looking for a suitable credit card, you may stumble across the term “online credit card” or “virtual credit card”. This card model is often also offered in combination with a current account or a business account. But what exactly is it?
A virtual credit card is a fully-fledged payment card that is issued digitally – within minutes and without a plastic card. Depending on the provider, it works as a prepaid, debit or real credit card, and via Apple Pay, Google Pay or the app provided by the credit card, you can even use it contactlessly in stores. But important things to remember are:
- Name of the cardholder
- Card number
- Expiry date
- Security code
Make contactless payments anytime
The classic data-record card had one major disadvantage: it could not be used at physical card terminals. This has changed – added to Apple Pay, Google Pay or the provider’s own app like Revolut or N26, an online credit card now works contactless in stores just like a plastic card, while purely web-based prepaid cards remain limited to online payments.
Virtual credit cards appeal to all target groups because of how easy they are to set up and use. You can start making purchases and transferring money right after you apply.
Online credit cards are therefore also suitable for teenagers, since they can be applied for starting at age 14. They can be used as an allowance account that parents can easily transfer money to. It allows teenagers to manage their own finances more independently.
What are the advantages of a virtual credit card?
Virtual credit cards often come with no annual fees or other additional costs. The Hanseatic Bank GenialCard offers free withdrawals abroad, the Bank Norwegian Visa includes travel insurance, and the easybank Visa even gifts you 75 Euros as a starting bonus. With Trade Republic, you can also earn one percent saveback. As you can see, the benefits depend on the credit card provider. We’ll explain some of those advantages in greater detail below, especially since they’re also relevant in terms of traveling or living abroad.
All the advantages of a virtual credit card:
- ⭐ Earn points and convert them into airline miles
- 🔐 High security
- ✅ No credit check needed
- 📝 Quick application process
Earn points and convert them into airline miles
Some virtual credit cards offer the opportunity to earn points, which can be converted into airline miles through a partner loyalty program. With Revolut, you can collect RevPoints and use them for loyalty programs such as Air France Flying Blue or British Airways. For every 10 euros spent, you’ll get one RevPoint with the standard debit card and one RevPoint for every two euros spent with Revolut Metal. Most of the time the points can be transferred one-to-one.
High security with online credit cards
The lack of a plastic card sounds like a weakness of the virtual credit card at first. However, this can also be an enormous advantage, as a plastic card can be stolen or lost. Your virtual credit card, on the other hand, is always accessible through your online account.
With two-factor authentication, your account is given an extra layer of protection against theft. You can block your card at any time, and you’ll receive a notification for every transaction so you can make sure it is executed correctly. In addition, a bank with a banking license, such as Trade Republic, is legally required to provide deposit insurance of up to 100,000 euros.
No credit check
With a normal credit card, the bank advances the funds for your purchases, and you receive a credit card statement at the end of the month—this payment term is usually interest-free. It only gets expensive if the card has an installment payment feature and you don’t pay off the balance in full: In that case, the payment period turns into an interest-bearing loan, often with high interest rates. With a debit card, this can’t happen because the amount is deducted from your account immediately.
Debit and prepaid cards offered by banks are issued directly and without a credit check that has an impact on your Schufa score. This is, of course, also an advantage if your credit rating is not flawless or you would rather not burden your Schufa score with an additional credit card.
💡 SCHUFA explained: SCHUFA is Germany’s credit scoring system. It helps banks, landlords and other service providers assess how reliable you are when it comes to payments. SCHUFA does not track your income or savings. It is based on information such as bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and ongoing contracts. Responsible financial behavior helps build a positive SCHUFA profile, which is important for everyday life in Germany.
Quick application for online credit cards
Probably the biggest advantage of a virtual credit card is also one of the reasons why they exist at all. Due to the otherwise time-consuming production of a plastic card, it always takes a certain amount of time for a normal credit card to arrive at your home.
This is not the case with an online credit card, which arrives as a data record in your e-mail inbox just a few minutes or hours after you apply and can then be used.
Combined with an efficient application via the video legitimization process, you can access your new digital means of payment quickly and easily.
Most providers require the following to legitimize you via video:
🪪 valid ID document (ID card or passport)
📷 Working camera and microphone
As soon as your identity has been verified, you can access your virtual credit card.
Traveling with virtual credit cards – there’s one downside
Virtual payments abroad
Many virtual credit cards can be used the same way abroad as they can be used at home. Cash withdrawals are often free, and some credit cards even provide a travel insurance package, such as Revolut Metal and Bank Norwegian Visa. Other credit cards such as TF Bank Mastercard Gold also include a foreign health insurance.
If you frequently deal with different currencies, you could also use the Wise Debit Mastercard to transfer money in the local currency while traveling, and to keep track of your payments abroad.
Problems may occur when booking hotels or renting a car on-site
A virtual credit card can be used for booking hotels and rental cars. However, problems often arise once you arrive at your destination. One disadvantage of a virtual card is the fact that you have to present a physical credit card at the counter, since the card type must be verified and the security deposits must be physically blocked. At an ATM, you often still need a physical card to withdraw cash.
Our conclusion on virtual credit cards in 2026:
Overall, virtual credit cards are suitable for everybody. Aside from the potential issues when booking hotels and rental cars, there’s hardly any difference compared to a physical card. The biggest advantage is the ability to always access your account via your smartphone. That way you can transfer money on the go and do not need to carry a wallet all the time. Plus, many credit card providers let you earn points for loyalty programs, and you may receive cashback.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
easybank Visa
- Promotion: 60 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Payments worldwide without any fees
- Travel cancellation insurance included
- Foreign health insurance included
Bank Norwegian Visa
- Promotion: 15 Euro welcome bonus
- Free credit card – permanently without annual fee
- Cash withdrawals worldwide
- Worldwide free payments – no foreign transaction fee
- Attractive travel insurance included
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
