Accepting debit and credit cards

MasterCard: Germany's most popular credit card

MasterCard is one of the world's leading credit cards. Accepting MasterCard means you are best equipped to deal with the needs of your national and international clients.

For more information, go to the international website of MasterCard.

Visa: available worldwide

Visa is one of the world's most well-known credit card brands. By accepting Visa card, you will be promoting a strong image and a high level of brand awareness.

For more information, go to the international website of Visa.

American Express: popular as a corporate credit card

American Express is the most exclusive credit card brand. Customers wishing to pay by American Express are usually demanding and well-funded.

For more information, go to the international website of American Express.

UnionPay: one of Asia's most important credit cards

UnionPay is the only Chinese credit card organisation and the fastest growing credit card brand in the world. You can expect above-average turnover.

For more information, go to the international website of UnionPay.

JCB: Japan Credit Bureau

JCB is Japan's largest credit card organisation and is continuing to spread throughout the USA and Asia. If you have lots of clients from this region, you should offer the JCB credit card.

For more information, go to the international website of JCB.

Diners Club: for business clients and frequent travellers

Diners Club is the world's oldest credit card. If you operate in the travel or tourist sector in particular, you should accept Diners Club. It is mainly used by business people and travellers.

For more information, go to the website of Diners Club.

Discover: for your American clients

The Discover card is widely accepted in the USA. Accommodate your American customers and accept their credit card.

For more information, go to the website of Discover.

girocard/electronic cash (ec)

Girocard is the superordinate and neutral umbrella brand for both debit payment schemes, "electronic cash" and the German ATM system.

The "girocard" acceptance logo will, in future, replace the electronic cash logo.

For more information, go to the website of girocard.

Girocard process

With this method of payment, the cardholder enters his personal secret number (PIN).

After an online check by the card-issuing institute and a successful transaction, the merchant has a 100 % payment guarantee.

Guaranteed direct debit process (GLV):

The customer's signature on the receipt authorises the retailer to directly debit the invoice amount. The customer‘s credit standing is validated online. There is no credit risk.

Electronic direct debit process (ELV)

The customer signs the receipt, thereby authorising the direct debit of the amount. There is no guarantee against payment defaults, which is why the process should not be used for large sums.

Maestro

Maestro is the international debit card payment system from MasterCard. Most debit cards in Germany and many international debit cards bear the Maestro logo. 

For more information go to the website of Maestro.

V PAY

V PAY is the debit card issued by Visa for the European region.

For more information, go to the website of V PAY.

VISA Electron

Visa Electron is Visa's own debit card and is issued all around the world.

For more information, go to the website of VISA.

GeldKarte

As a rule, the customer receives the GeldKarte function, which stores sums of money in a chip on the card, with the girocard (formerly EC card) or the customer card of his or her bank or savings bank. The GeldKarte is mainly used as a substitute for small change.

For more information, go to the website of GeldKarte.