The 4 types of credit cards at a glance

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.

Which card type suits whom?

The choice of card depends on your usage type. Those who want maximum cost control and wish to avoid debt are well served by a debit or prepaid card — every expense is booked immediately or limited by the available balance. For those who need flexibility and a credit line, for example for business travel or larger purchases, a true credit card with a revolving option offers more room to manoeuvre.

The charge card is a good middle ground: you get a payment deferral until the monthly debit without falling into the instalment interest trap — though it does require a good credit rating. Those who mainly travel abroad or want to secure online purchases benefit most from widely accepted card types with appropriate protection features.

Acceptance and networks

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely used payment networks worldwide and are accepted by the vast majority of merchants, online shops and ATMs. The practical difference between the two networks is small for end users — the conditions offered by the issuing bank are far more important.

Debit cards on the Visa or Mastercard network work fine at most terminals, but may be restricted in specific situations: car rental companies and hotels often require a true credit card with a credit line for deposits, as debit cards do not allow pre-authorisation of amounts. It is therefore worth carrying a credit card in addition when travelling.