How to pay money into a credit card

Why pay money into a credit card at all?

There are two very different reasons to pay money into a credit card – and which one applies depends on the type of card. A prepaid credit card has to be topped up before you can use it; it works purely on a credit balance. With a card that has a credit line (a charge or revolving card), on the other hand, you normally settle the monthly statement afterwards – here you only need to pay money in to settle the bill, save interest or build up a voluntary credit balance.

Such a balance can come in handy in certain situations – for example before a big trip, or when a large pre-authorisation, such as a rental car deposit, temporarily eats into your available spending limit.

Paying in by card type

Whether and how you get money onto the card depends on the type of card:

How to pay money in

In most cases you pay in by SEPA transfer from your current account to an account named by the bank – often with a reference or card number in the payment reference (Verwendungszweck), so that the payment can be clearly matched to your card. Many prepaid and app-based cards have their own IBAN for the card account or offer other top-up options directly in the app; check whether these come with fees.

A standard SEPA transfer reaches the card bank by the next banking day at the latest. An instant transfer (Echtzeitüberweisung) is faster: since October 2025, banks in the eurozone have had to offer it, and it must not cost more than a standard transfer. The money then reaches the card bank within seconds – although, depending on the provider, it can still take a little while before it shows as available on your card account.

Paying in saves instalment interest

If you use the instalment option on a genuine credit card, every extra payment is worth it: it immediately reduces the balance that is charged interest. In our comparison, the effective annual interest rates (APR) for instalment repayment range from around 10% to just under 26%. If you have €1,000 outstanding at 20% APR, you pay around €15 a month in interest – pay in the same amount and that charge disappears.

The cheapest option is not to use instalments at all and to switch the card to full repayment. Our guide to instalment repayment explains how to do this and which cards charge what interest.

What to watch out for

A few points help you avoid mistakes and delays:

• Enter the payment reference or reference number exactly – otherwise matching the payment can take time.
• Allow for processing time – even with an instant transfer, not every provider makes the balance available immediately.
• A credit balance usually earns no interest; a credit card is not a suitable place to invest money.
• Some cards cap how high the balance can be – if in doubt, ask the bank.
• Balances on prepaid cards are usually e-money: they are not covered by the statutory deposit guarantee scheme (Einlagensicherung), but the provider must safeguard them separately from its own assets. Larger amounts belong in your current account.

Getting a balance paid back out

If you have paid in too much or need the balance back, most providers let you arrange a transfer back to your reference account. With prepaid cards that hold e-money, you have a legal right to get your balance back at face value at any time; a fee for this is only allowed in certain cases agreed in the contract.

The specific terms – such as whether a payout is free – vary from card to card. A look at the price and service schedule (Preis- und Leistungsverzeichnis) or a quick question to the provider will clear this up.

Frequently asked questions about paying money into a credit card

How quickly does the money reach my credit card?

With an instant transfer, it reaches the card bank within seconds; with a standard SEPA transfer, by the next banking day at the latest. When it becomes available on your card account also depends on how quickly the provider matches the payment.

Can I pay cash into a credit card?

Usually not directly. The normal route is to pay the cash into your current account and then transfer it to the card. Some prepaid providers offer cash top-ups through partner retailers, often for a fee.

Does a credit balance raise my credit limit?

Your agreed credit limit stays the same, but with many cards the amount available to you increases by the size of the balance. This can help before a trip with a rental car deposit. Whether and how a balance counts is up to the bank.

Does a balance on my credit card earn interest?

Usually not. A balance on the card only makes sense as a short-term buffer, not as an investment.