What is a prepaid debit card?

A prepaid debit card is an alternative payment card that you top up with money to use in stores and online. You can only spend the balance you have available on the card, then add more money when it runs out. Unlike a regular debit or credit card, a prepaid debit card doesn’t need to be linked to a bank account. Your card funds can be linked to an [online money account](https://monese.com/products/instant-account "Instant account opening") like Monese’s instead. There’s no credit check required either, so these cards are easier to get if you have a poor or non-existent credit history. These reasons make prepaid payment cards popular among ‘unbanked’ people who can’t access traditional banking services or don’t want to. People also use them for budgeting because you can’t overspend or run up debts like you might with a credit card. Prepaid cards are safer than carrying cash around too. You can still use a Monese card to get cash out from an ATM whenever you need to, just like you would with a regular debit card.

What are the benefits of using a prepaid debit card?

You can use a prepaid debit card to buy things and withdraw cash in much the same way as regular payment cards. But there are lots of reasons why one could be the better option for you. __Easy to get__ A prepaid debit card account is an easy alternative to traditional banking for foreign nationals as there’s no credit check or bank account required. With a Monese account, you can then receive your salary, pay bills and much more. __Easy to manage__ Prepaid debit cards are useful for avoiding debt as you’ll never be able to spend more than the balance you add. A Monese card also makes it easy to transfer and receive money, track spending and create [savings pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings"), right from your phone. __Great for travelling__ Prepaid cards are a great travel companion whether you’re holidaying abroad, visiting family or travelling for work. With Monese, you can spend abroad at low-cost exchange rates and withdraw money at ATMs worldwide, with no hidden fees.

Where can I use a prepaid debit card?

Monese cards make your money as flexible as you are. We use the Mastercard network, which means that you can use yours at most places where Mastercard is accepted. That’s a lot of places and includes physical shops and online stores, as well as ATMs worldwide. You can also use your prepaid Mastercard for quick and secure contactless mobile payments by linking it to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Easier, faster, more secure payments") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™").

How much does a prepaid debit card cost?

Online debit cards can come with different fees, depending on the provider. They could include monthly or pay-as-you-go fees, plus activation, transaction, withdrawal, top-up and inactivity charges, so it’s best to read the terms. We’re honest about [our fees](https://monese.com/fees-and-limits/fee-and-limits-information "Our pricing") so you’ll always know how much your Monese card costs. Below is how our Starter plan works. Our Classic and Premium plans come with small monthly fees for higher withdrawal allowances and insurance among other allowances depending on your chosen plan. - Free prepaid debit card account opening with no monthly fee - Free card, £4.95 delivery - Low fee of £1.50 for ATM withdrawals - Low 3.5% fee for monthly cash top-ups at payment point locations - 2% of transaction value, minimum €3 / £3 / 15 lei (additional 1% fee on weekends) on card spending in foreign currencies at competitive exchange rates - 2% fee (additional 1% fee on weekends) for international transfers at competitive rates - Free instant money transfers between Monese accounts, no matter the currency Our flexible plans allow you to get a little or a lot every month to suit how you plan to use your card. It’s free to upgrade or downgrade plans whenever you need to.

How do I add money to a prepaid debit card?

With our prepaid Mastercard, you can [add money](https://monese.com/features/add-funds "Adding money easily") in lots of different ways. Many of them are quick and easy to do from your Monese app. - Make instant top-ups from another debit card - Receive bank transfers - Transfer money between your Monese currency accounts for free - Request payments from friends - Get paid by your employer - Top up with cash at more than 84,000 payment point locations across the UK and Europe with the [Post Office](https://www.postoffice.co.uk/ "Post Office: Homepage"), [PayPoint](https://paypoint.com/ "PayPoint: Homepage") or [Paysafecash](https://monese.com/features/paysafe "Add cash to your Monese account with Paysafecash").

Is a prepaid debit card safe?

Prepaid debit cards are a safer and more convenient option than carrying cash. But there are lots of other ways that we keep your Monese card, money and identity safe too. - Use a virtual card with a unique card number for secure online shopping - Lock your prepaid Mastercard instantly in-app if you lose it - Make secure contactless payments with Apple Pay’s Touch ID and Face ID recognition, or Google Pay’s multi-layered security Your prepaid debit card account is protected too with single-phone access and much more. [Read about security with Monese](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do").

How do I open a prepaid debit card account?

We’ve made it as simple as possible to open a Monese account and get a prepaid Mastercard. You could sign up if you’re aged 18 or over and living in one of the 31 countries in the European Economic Area. 1. Download our free mobile app from the [App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/monese-a-banking-alternative/id1102793407 "Monese: A Banking Alternativ‪e‬ "), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.monese.monese.live "Monese - Mobile Money Account for UK & Europe") or [AppGallery](https://appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C103759763 "Huawei"). 2. Sign up with your email address, phone number and an ID document like your passport. We’ll also ask for a video selfie to confirm your identity. 3. Pick a Monese plan and tell us where to send your Monese card. You can use a virtual Monese card as soon as you open an account and [verify your address](https://support.monese.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017325100). Once your physical card arrives, activate it by entering the last four digits of your card number in the Card menu option in your app.

Why open a debit card account with Monese?

Millions of people use Monese to manage their money because we’re: - __Flexible__ – Get a Monese card that suits you and use it in-store, online and at ATMs worldwide - __Fast__ – Open an account quickly with no credit check or existing bank account - __Great value__ – See our card fees upfront and spend abroad with great exchange rates - __Safe__ – Use a virtual card online and block your card instantly if you lose it - __Mobile__ – Pay with your phone and manage your money with the Monese app Our prepaid debit card gives you the financial freedom you need to thrive anywhere. [Read more about us](https://monese.com/about "About us").

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A contactless Mastercard debit card for anywhere in the world

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Spend in style with a Monese card

Our sleek Monese cards are beautifully designed to match your plan and lifestyle. Choose your Monese plan and order a free physical card for quick delivery. Start spending straight away with a virtual card.

Access your money wherever you are

A Monese card is your passport to financial freedom. You can access the money in your Monese debit card account in-store, online or at ATMs worldwide, and you’ll get Mastercard’s great-value exchange rates when spending abroad.

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Withdraw whenever, wherever

Get cash when you need it. Use your prepaid Mastercard to withdraw from ATMs anywhere in the world with no hidden fees.

Make contactless payments

Easy, quick and secure payments with just a single tap of your prepaid debit card at any contactless terminal.

Pay with your phone

Pay quickly and securely online and in-store using Apple Pay or Google Pay. No need for a physical card.

Create a virtual card

Pay even safer with your in-app virtual card for an extra layer of security when shopping online.

Link to your PayPal

For quick and secure payments, add your Monese card to your PayPal wallet instantly. Make Monese your primary card for even faster checkouts online.

Lock and unlock on the go

Lost your card? Keep your debit card account safe and money protected by locking your card in-app.

Meet Ion

“From the moment I got my Monese card, doors opened for me in London. This card and account allow me to make payments in this country, transfer money to my home country and even gave me the chance to work”.

Read Ion's story

Meet Ion

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Prepaid debit card FAQs

Got a question about using a prepaid debit card? You could find the answer you’re looking for below. If not, we have more FAQs and a multilingual Support team who are always happy to help.

What is a prepaid debit card?
What are the benefits of using a prepaid debit card?
Where can I use a prepaid debit card?
How much does a prepaid debit card cost?
How do I add money to a prepaid debit card?
Is a prepaid debit card safe?
How do I open a prepaid debit card account?
Why open a debit card account with Monese?

Sign up for a prepaid debit card account

Join Monese today to get your prepaid Mastercard and take it with you on the go! We’re one of the most popular financial service providers in Europe. Download our app to sign up and order your physical card.