Spend what you load
Most UK prepaid cards require no credit check; spend limited to loaded funds.
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A prepaid card with a £20 sign-up bonus
Exclusive everyday benefits
Spend abroad like a local
T&Cs apply
Compare prepaid cards, pay as you go cards, prepaid Mastercards and prepaid Visa cards. Find cards you can top up, use online, withdraw at ATMs and apply for without opening a full bank account.
A prepaid card (also called a prepaid debit card, prepaid credit card, preloaded debit card, reloadable debit card or top up card) is a payment card that you load with money first and then spend in shops, online or at cash machines
It looks like a normal debit or credit card, but you are only spending your own balance. You are not borrowing. You can only spend what you have loaded.
Some prepaid cards act more like a basic account. Some let you receive wages. Some let you pay bills online. Some work like a dedicated travel money card so you can spend abroad in local currency. Some are designed for teenagers and students with parental controls. Some are built for workers who do not have (or do not want) a traditional bank account.
If you want a full explainer of how prepaid cards work, see our guide: What is a Prepaid Card.
Widely accepted
Use anywhere Visa/Mastercard are accepted; 3-D Secure online.
Built for specific needs
Budgeting • Online shopping • Travel FX • Kids/Teens • Business/Teams.
Compare UK Prepaid Cards
Notes for readers: Some products are e-money (safeguarded, not FSCS). Age limits, plan tiers and fees change. Always check the provider fee page before applying.
Quick Picks by Use Case
Which prepaid card should you choose
Criterion
What to check in the UK
Tip
Free or paid tier and what is included
Match plan to usage to avoid charges
Mid market style or a percent markup
Avoid DCC; pick mid-market where possible
UK and abroad, free withdrawal caps and paid tiers
Watch monthly free allowance caps
Bank transfer, salary, debit card load, PayPoint or Post Office cash top up
Card loads often cost more than FPS
Daily load, spend and ATM limits
FSCS does not apply to e-money
Visa or Mastercard and 3-D Secure
Important for online shopping, subscriptions and travel bookings
Adult, teen, business, travel, payroll
Pick a card made for your real use case rather than bending a travel card into a payroll card
Freeze in app, chip and PIN, contactless, virtual card
Helpful if you lose cards or shop on unfamiliar sites
Where can you buy a prepaid card
You can usually get a prepaid card in one of three ways:
– Online
– Apply on the provider website or in the app. Many cards will issue a virtual card instantly so you can spend online straight away.
– High street and travel money counters
– Some cards can be purchased or collected in person at a Post Office branch, currency exchange counter or travel money desk. In these cases you will still need to register and activate the card to unlock higher limits, ATM access and in some cases salary payments.
Payroll or employment route
Some employers and recruitment agencies provide a prepaid card as a way to pay wages electronically without using cheques or cash.
When choosing where to buy, check:
How you can load money (cash top up, bank transfer, salary, debit card)
How quickly you can get the physical card or a usable virtual card
Whether the provider is regulated and authorised in the UK
Whether you can receive wages, pay bills and withdraw cash without moving money to a traditional bank account first