Virtual debit cards you can open in the UK

Virtual debit cards can be used conveniently for online, in person and mobile payments, and live exclusively on your smart devices rather than being a separate plastic card to carry around. Using a virtual debit card is easy, convenient and secure - but what exactly are virtual debit cards and how do they work?

This handy guide to virtual cards for UK users has you covered. We’ll explain how virtual debit cards work and show you some great options in the UK right now, including Wise. The Wise digital card offers all the same benefits of the Wise debit card, including great exchange rates and low fees* on multi-currency spending.

But more on that later. First, let’s cover some of the basics you need to know.

What is a virtual debit card?

A virtual card works in just the same way as an ordinary debit card, but without the plastic. The card is stored in a digital wallet on your phone, instead of the actual wallet in your pocket. You can also get virtual cards when you sign up with digital banks, or get one linked to a prepaid account.

You’ll get a card number, verification number and expiry date, but everything is created completely online.

Virtual cards are similar to digital and disposable cards. A digital card is just a copy of your physical bank card stored on your phone, while a disposable card is a single-use virtual card.

Where can I use a virtual debit card?

Virtual cards are usually issued by one of the main debit/credit card providers, such as Mastercard, Visa or American Express. This means you can usually use it anywhere that contactless debit or credit card payments are accepted.

You can use a virtual card for all online purchases where debit/credit cards are accepted. However, you’ll only be able to use it in shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and transport hubs if contactless tap and pay payments are accepted. Because you don’t have a physical card to use in a payment terminal, virtual cards can’t be used for chip and PIN payments, and they can’t normally be used for cash withdrawals at an ATM either.

Benefits of using a virtual debit card

There are lots of benefits to using a virtual debit card. These include:

• Convenience - you can leave your wallet at home and pay for anything you need using the virtual card stored on your phone
• Greater security - virtual cards can’t be stolen or cloned, and benefit from advanced security technology such as two-factor authentication and encrypted storage of card details.
• Full control - you can lock, unlock and manage your virtual card on your phone at any time
• Instant access - you don’t need to wait for a debit card to arrive in the post. With virtual cards, you can usually activate your card and start using it immediately.

Top providers of virtual debit cards in the UK

Virtual debit cards are widely available these days, but leading the charge are digital and mobile-only banks. We’ll look at a few of these here, including Revolut, Monese, Monzo and Starling. Each offers a kind of virtual debit card, with some also having pre-paid and single-use cards available.

Revolut

Digital account provider Revolut offers a couple of different virtual cards. The first is a digital card, which you’ll get when you open an account with Revolut. Rather than having to wait for your physical debit card to arrive, a digital version can be added to your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet right away. This means you can start paying for things using your phone immediately.

Revolut also offers single-use ‘disposable’ cards. These are virtual debit cards that can be used for one purchase only. Handily though, you don’t need to apply for a new virtual card once you’ve used it. The details refresh once the purchase is complete, or in some cases, 24 hours later, so you can shop again.

All Revolut’s cards, virtual or physical, can be managed in the Revolut mobile banking app.

Monese

Alongside the option to have a digital version of your ordinary debit card, Monese also offers standalone virtual cards². These have a different 16-digit number to your standard card, so you’ll have extra security when spending.

You can use your virtual card to make payments online and shop in physical stores using Google Pay or Apple Pay. You can manage your transactions and lock/unlock the card in the Monese app, and get instant notifications when you make a payment.

If you’re already a customer with the mobile-only Monese, you can set up a new virtual card in the app. Head to the ‘Card’ tab and swipe left to the ‘virtual card’ option. You can create one virtual card per currency account. You will need to have a physical card from Monese first though³.

Monzo

The popular online bank Monzo also offers virtual cards to account holders. You can have up to 5 virtual cards at a time, up to a total of 100 every 12 months. Extras, Perks and Max customers can also make virtual cards for joint accounts, with limits set across all account holders⁴.

Each Monzo virtual card has its own unique details, separate to your ordinary debit card that comes with your bank account. You’ll be able to use your virtual cards to manage ‘Pots’. This is where you set a Pot of money within your account for a specific purpose (i.e. savings, or everyday spending). You can link a virtual card to each Pot, and to Apple and Google Pay⁵.

You can create and manage virtual cards within the Monzo app.

Starling

Starling Bank offers virtual cards which can be linked to ‘Spaces’ which are pots of money you set aside for designated purposes. This can be a great tool for effective budgeting, allowing you to open up to 5 virtual cards at a time and assign each to a specific type of spending. If you’re budgeting for a holiday for example you could set aside a Space for travel, and use your dedicated virtual card whenever you spend for the trip. Once you’ve spent all the money in that Space, further transactions will be declined so you can’t accidentally overspend. Top up the space when you're ready and you can use the card again.

Starling virtual cards can be created in the Starling app, and come with a choice of 5 different colour and shape cards so you can easily recognise which you’re using for which type of spending.

Going abroad? Choose the Wise virtual debit card

While you’re comparing virtual debit cards, make sure to check out Wise.

Open a Wise account and you can get an international Wise card for contactless spending and ATM withdrawals in 150+ countries. You can also get a virtual card which offers the same great features, but with added security and convenience.

With your Wise digital card, you can spend using Apple Pay or Google Pay around the world in the local currency. Either add money to your account in GBP and convert to the currency you need in the Wise app yourself, or let the card manage the conversion when you pay. In either case, you get the mid-market exchange rate with low conversion fees* from 0.33%⁷.

Get started now by opening your Wise account online - it’s quick and easy - with no subscription fees to worry about.

The number of UK virtual debit card providers is increasing all the time as more and more of us rely on digital payments on a day to day basis. Use this guide to compare your options - and if you’re travelling abroad, check out the Wise digital card as the ideal solution for convenience, security and of course, saving money.

Sign up with Wise today

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Sources last checked on date: 13 - DEC - 2024