The 4 types of credit cards at a glance

Credit, charge, debit or prepaid? We explain the differences and who each card suits.

5 min read

Real credit card

With a classic credit card, all transactions are collected and billed monthly. You can repay the amount in installments (revolving), but pay debit interest for this. It offers a genuine credit line.

Charge card

The charge card also collects transactions but debits the full amount once a month. Partial payment is not possible — but no debit interest is charged either.

Debit card

With a debit card, every transaction is debited from the account immediately. This ensures full cost control and protects against debt. It is often linked to a current account.

Prepaid card

The prepaid card must be loaded in advance — you can only spend what you have paid in. It usually requires no SCHUFA check and is ideal for students or as a second card.