Banks Germany

What is a Girocard?

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Girocard?

Girocard is a German equivalent of a bank-issued debit card using which you can withdraw cash from ATMs and pay cashlessly at point-of-sale (POS) terminals. In order to ensure that these cards can also be used abroad, it is co-branded with Mastercard (Maestro), Visa (V-Pay) or JCB. Previously known as EC-Karte, the terms girocard and EC card are often used synonymously.

Since it is a debit card, payments and cash withdrawals using Girocard are immediately debited directly from your account. Girocard is a standard card issued with a German bank account.  Read more information on a German bank account.

Girocard features demystified

Each bank has a slightly different format for the design of a girocard, but mostly have these features shown using an example of a Sparkasse girocard.

Girocard features

1: Your IBAN number

The IBAN is your account number which is standardized European account information used for SEPA bank transfers within the EU.

2: Chip

All modern Girocard come with a chip for security reasons where you are required to enter your four-digit pin when paying. The new cards also have a “contactless” symbol so you can pay quickly without entering the PIN.

3: The Maestro/V-Pay logo

Girocards are cobranded either with Maestro or V-Pay so that it is accepted worldwide.

4: The girocard logo

You can identify a Girocard with the Girocard logo on the debit card.

5: Validity date

At the time stated on your card, you will automatically receive a new card.

6: Emergency blocking number

If your card is lost, you can call the emergency number 116 116 anytime to block your card. Read more: How to block your card in Germany?

7: The signature field

If you have received a new Sparkassen Card, sign it on the strip.

8: The card number

If you have multiple girocards for the same bank account, you can differentiate the cards using this card number.

9: BIC

Credit institutions worldwide can be clearly identified via the BIC. The BIC is composed of eight or eleven alphanumeric characters.

10: Girogo and the GeldKarte

This symbol stands for the GeldKarten function. With the GeldKarte chip of your girocard, you can top-up the chip with cash and then pay on machines which accept chip payment. Unlike debit card payment, the chip function of GeldKarte technology does not need internet connectivity. This is especially useful for paying small amounts (tickets, parking fees, cigarettes, etc.) on machines that support the GeldKarte technology.

Note: The credit on your GeldKarte chip is like cash. If you lose your card, the chip balance is also lost. If you want to unload the money from your chip, you can do it at the ATM as well.

11: The EUFISERV Logo

Via EUFISERV, you use your Card to transact transactions in the European ATM network.

12: The magnetic strip

ATMs and some card terminals read your card through the magnetic strip.

21 thoughts on “What is a Girocard?”

  1. Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren!
    Ich bin Volksbankkunde seit 1990.

    Ich bin auch Fachübersetzer Deutsch -> Englisch seit 1987.

    Ich muss Sie leider mitteilen, dass die obenstehende Übersetzung extrem schlecht ist! es gibt zahlreiche grammatikalische Fehler.

    Wenn Sie Bedarf an einer korrekten Übersetzung haben, stehe ich gerne zur Vergügung!

    Mit freundlichen Grüßen

    Duncan R. Bell (M.A. (Hons.)

    Reply

  6. How can I use My Girocard to register PayPal? Is Maestro card allowed? I was told I entered invalid data.

    Reply

  10. Ich bin hier, um ein Zeugnis darüber zu geben, wie Jayson Brown mir mit der leeren Geldautomatenkarte hilft, die mein Leben innerhalb einer Woche verändert. Um mein Leben von Armut zu Erfolg zu verändern, glaube ich nie, dass es für mich wie ein Traum war, bin ich online gegangen Auf der Suche nach einem Job sah ich verschiedene Kommentare von Leuten, die aussagten, wie sie reich werden, indem sie eine leere Geldautomatenkarte von einem Hacker namens Jayson Brown erhielten. (jaysonbrown867@gmail.com) Aber ich glaube nie. aber ich war verwirrt, ich brauche nur Geld, um meine Rechnungen zu bezahlen und auf meine Familie aufzupassen, also sagte ich, ein reicher Mann zu sein, dreht sich alles um Risiken, also gehe ich das Risiko ein und kontaktiere den Hacker (jaysonbrown867@gmail.com) und bezweifle immer noch Aber ich sage, lass mich versuchen, es zu riskieren, und ich frage nach der leeren Geldautomatenkarte und werde den Bedingungen zustimmen (jaysonbrown867@gmail.com). Und es wurde mir geschickt und ich ziehe täglich 5000 Dollar damit ab. Es war eine große Überraschung für mich, ein großes Dankeschön an diesen Hacker namens (jaysonbrown867@gmail.com). Wenn Sie die leere Geldautomatenkarte benötigen, wenden Sie sich an den Hacker unter(jaysonbrown867@gmail.com) oder WhatsApp: +1(336)715‑0549

    Reply

  12. I was trying to transfer money from my giro card but they ask for cvv and I am not finding it on my card so I tried to write down the last three digits of my card number but they keep saying that it’s invalid! Please I need help, thanks

    Reply

  13. i have girocard..but still is not activeted..how can i activated my girocard..oh how long i have wait when is active ???

    Reply

  15. Hello,
    I would be happy if you could help where(which digits) I can find the Card Number of the Sparekasse debit card to attach to my Amazon app.

    Regards

    Reply

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