EC card (girocard)

The EC card (officially since 2007: girocard) is the most widely used payment card in Germany – linked directly to your current account.

Basic principle:

• Every payment is debited from your current account immediately or within 1–2 days
• No credit line – you can only spend what's in the account (plus overdraft)
• Unlike a credit card: no monthly statement

How it works:

• girocard system: German payment system – works at almost all terminals in Germany
• V Pay (Visa) or Maestro (Mastercard): add-on function for payments abroad
• Maestro was discontinued in 2023/2024 – replacement: Debit Mastercard or Visa Debit
• Contactless (NFC): up to €50 without PIN, above that with PIN

Facts and figures:

• Over 100 million girocards in Germany
• Approx. 6 billion transactions per year
• Acceptance: ~850,000 terminals in Germany
• Merchant fee: approx. 0.2% (much cheaper than credit cards at ~1.5%)

Difference between girocard, debit card and credit card:

• girocard: immediate debit, only in Germany/EU, German system
• Debit card (Visa/Mastercard): immediate debit, usable worldwide
• Credit card: monthly statement, credit line, worldwide

Security:

• Never write down or share your PIN
• If lost, immediately call the blocking hotline: 116 116 (free, 24/7)
• Liability in case of misuse: max. €50 (if you weren't grossly negligent)