Questions
- What are the advantages of using GeldKarte as a means of payment? »
- What does it cost? »
- My bank/Sparkasse won't give me a GeldKarte. What can I do? »
- Where can I use my GeldKarte to pay with? »
- Where can I load my GeldKarte? »
- How can I load my GeldKarte? »
- Can I load credit onto my GeldKarte from banks other than my own? Do I have to pay a fee in such cases? »
- How do I know how much money I still have on my chip? »
- How can I use GeldKarte in the Internet? »
- How can I unload my GeldKarte? »
- What happens if I forget my PIN? »
- Can I cancel payments I have made with the GeldKarte? »
- What happens when my bank card expires, and I am issued with a new one? »
- How long are stand-alone GeldKarte cards from the GeldKarte Shop valid? »
- Can anyone pry into the payments I make with my GeldKarte? »
- What happens if I lose my GeldKarte, or it is stolen? »
- What can I do if my card does not work properly? »
- What happens to the credit on my GeldKarte if I close my bank account? »
- I am a merchant. What advantages do I have if I accept the GeldKarte? »
- What do I need to do as a retailer if I would like to start accepting the GeldKarte? »
- What risks do I take as a merchant if I accept payments made with GeldKarte? »
Answers
What are the advantages of using GeldKarte as a means of payment?
GeldKarte offers you the following advantages:
- GeldKarte is more convenient than cash: It means you always have the right change. No more problems with machines requesting "exact change only", or rejecting your notes!
- Payment with GeldKarte is simple, quick and easy: You don't need to enter a PIN or sign anything. Just insert your card into the machine resp. the smartcard reader, confirm the amount payable (sometimes not even necessary), take out your ticket, etc. and remove your card − that's it!
- You don't need to apply for another card: There are already over 74 million banking cards with the GeldKarte chip in circulation, so chances are you already have one in your wallet.
- Using the GeldKarte often helps you saving money: For example many transport corporations – e.g. in Munich, Bremen, Oldenburg, Bremerhaven or Halle – give you discounts if you pay with your electronic purse!
- Payment with GeldKarte is safe: The entire German banking industry vouches for that.
- Using the GeldKarte means paying anonymously: The details of payment transactions are stored on the golden microchip, while the settlement systems of the bank or Sparkasse only register the current balance of the card. This makes the GeldKarte different from credit cards and girocards (former ec cards): only the holder knows what the money has been spent on.
- Take advantage of additional uses: Such as easily and anonymously proofing your of age at cigarette machines throughout Germany. Or such as with CityCards − by paying with your GeldKarte you get bonus points that can be redeemed with other acceptance partners.
- GeldKarte is the way to pay of the future: You can already pay for Internet purchases with your GeldKarte, and since September 1st, 2007, soon are be able to load credit onto it via the Internet.
What does it cost?
Most banks issue debit cards with GeldKarte chip free of charge. However, this is an individual decision, and there are also banks which charge a small annual fee (e.g. 5 Euro).
- Loading your GeldKarte via internet is free of charge.
- Paying with your GeldKarte does not cost you anything.
- For accepting GeldKarte as a means of payment, however, the banks charge 0,3% of the amount paid (with a minimum charge of 0,01 Euro per transaction). There may additional fees payable to a service provider, if applicable.
My bank/Sparkasse won't give me a GeldKarte. What can I do?
If your own bank does not issue GeldKarte cards, you can simply obtain a stand-alone GeldKarte from another bank. You can use this "white card" to make payments, in just the same way as with an account-linked GeldKarte. You can load the white card against cash payment or against your girocard (former ec card).
Please note: You cannot use a stand-alone GeldKarte for proofing your age at cigarrette machines.
Where can I use my GeldKarte to pay with?
You can use the money stored in your card chip to pay bills anywhere in Germany where you see the red and blue GeldKarte logo. This is the logo you can see on the reverse of your girocard (former ec card) or your bank card. You will find it in on a large number of parking lot ticket machines, in buses, trams and underground trains, on public transport ticket machines, on cigarette machines, etc.
topWhere can I load my GeldKarte?
You can load the chip at a large number of cash dispensers, or at special GeldKarte terminals. The maximum amount you can load is 200 Euro. Some banks and Sparkasse branches also have special function terminals at the counter, where you can have cash transferred direct to your chip. In addition, some places that accept the GeldKarte have installed loading terminals on their premises, such as parking garages. Additionally, you can load your GeldKarte via internet on https://www.geldkarte-laden.de.
topHow can I load my GeldKarte?
Loading your GeldKarte is simple and quick. Insert the card into the loading terminal, type in your PIN and the amount you wish to load – and that's it. The amount stated is debited to your account. If you load your card from your own personal account at your bank – or at a terminal run by a bank which belongs to the same cash group or cash pool as your own bank – you do not have to pay any transaction fees.
You can load white cards (stand-alone cards) against cash payment or other cards at special function terminals in many banks and Sparkasse branches. Please contact your local bank for more information.
Since September 1st, 2007, you can also load your GeldKarte (account linked as well as stand-alone cards) via internet using a card reader. Additionally, a electronic banking account support "giropay" is required.
topCan I load credit onto my GeldKarte from banks other than my own? Do I have to pay a fee in such cases?
You can load credit onto account-based GeldKarte chips (i.e. cards that are also bank cards or SparkassenCards) from any cash dispenser or loading terminal. Loading credit from your bank account is free of charge at your own bank, and at cash dispensers belonging to the relevant alliance of banks (e.g. CashGroup).
If you load credit at other cash dispensers, the operator of the dispenser will charge 1 Euro, which will generally be oncharged to your bank account by your bank.
Please note: Some banks now treat loading of credit onto the GeldKarte in the same way as cash withdrawals, which means that extra charges may be incurred at your own bank. We therefore recommend that you load credit onto your GeldKarte at your own bank.
How do I know how much money I still have on my chip?
The displays of most vending machines show your current credit level both before and after payment is made with the GeldKarte.
Some banks provide their clients with small, easy-to-use pocket card readers that show the balance on the chip, the last 15 payments, and the last 3 loading transactions with dates and times. For purchasing a pocket reader online, visit our online shop!
You can also check the balance on your card at any GeldKarte loading terminal, or ask staff at your own bank to check it for you on their special function terminal.
How can I use GeldKarte in the Internet?
Some retailers already allow you to use your GeldKarte to make purchases through the Internet. GeldKarte is the only means of payment that enables you to make secure and anonymous payments via the web, while at the same time guaranteeing payment to the seller. All you need to make Internet payments with the GeldKarte is a compatible card reader for your PC.
topHow can I unload my GeldKarte?
You can unload your GeldKarte chip at the bank that issued your card, or ask staff there to do it for you. This can be done at loading terminals, ATMs or special function terminals (at the counter) which have this function.
topWhat happens if I forget my PIN?
If this happens, you can still use up the credit on your card, since you do not need the PIN to make payments with your GeldKarte. Or you can have the balance transferred to your current account. However, if you forget your PIN, you cannot reload your card. Your bank would then have to order a new card (with a new PIN) for you.
topCan I cancel payments I have made with the GeldKarte?
No, that’s not possible. A payment made with GeldKarte can only be cancelled (either immediately or later) – for example, if you return or exchange goods – in cash. The retailer then gives you cash or a voucher.
topWhat happens when my bank card expires, and I am issued with a new one?
You can still use the credit on your GeldKarte chip for up to six months after the card itself expires. Or you can unload the GeldKarte chip on your card at any time within three months of the date of expiry.
topHow long are stand-alone GeldKarte cards from the GeldKarte Shop valid?
For security reasons, the stand-alone GeldKarte card from our GeldKarte Shop is valid until 2006. You will be able to use the card for 6 months after the expiration date, after which time you must apply for a new card.
topCan anyone pry into the payments I make with my GeldKarte?
Retailers are only permitted to use terminals that have been expressly approved by the banks. These machines must conform with special security standards. Before data stored on the microchip can be changed in any way, the terminal runs a series of complex tests to ensure that the card is authorized. At the same time, the card checks that the terminal itself is authorized. It is not possible to manipulate or circumvent this so-called "handshake" test. Data stored on your microchip can only be displayed or changed using this secure process.
topWhat happens if I lose my GeldKarte, or it is stolen?
If this happens, the credit stored on your card when you lose the card, or it is stolen, is gone – as with cash. The finder (or thief) can use the credit on your card to make purchases, since this can be done without a PIN. Cancelling your card – which is always highly advisable if you lose an girocard (former ec card) or bank card – does not help you either, since the credit stored in the GeldKarte chip cannot be cancelled. However, if the credit stored on a lost card is not used by a third party, your bank will be able to calculate the balance remaining when the card expires, and will refund it to you.
topWhat can I do if my card does not work properly?
Staff at your bank can use their special function terminal to check whether your card is defective in some way. If the card has a defect that cannot be rectified, the credit stored on your card will automatically be refunded.
topWhat happens to the credit on my GeldKarte if I close my bank account?
When you close an account, you are required to return to your bank all the cards linked to that account. Before you do so, you should first check how much credit you have left on your microchip by using a loading terminal, a special function terminal, or a pocket card reader. You can then have any remaining credit transferred to your bank account.
topI am a merchant. What advantages do I have if I accept the GeldKarte?
Please refer to our special section on merchants' advantages.
topWhat do I need to do as a retailer if I would like to start accepting the GeldKarte?
In terms of software, retailers need an authorized purse terminal or a multifunction terminal. They must also be connected in some way with the transaction registration centre, and must have a physical or virtual retailer's card. For more technical information visit our acceptance partner's area.
topWhat risks do I take as a merchant if I accept payments made with GeldKarte?
If you process transactions correctly, you run no risk at all. The banking system guarantees all payments made with GeldKarte. The data generated in each transaction are stored in the terminal, where they are secure and encrypted in complex codes. Even in the event of power failure, the official terminals ensure that no data are lost.
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