Virtual Credit Cards in Belgium: Full Guide

A virtual credit card is a card number generated in a banking app, with no physical plastic. It has its own number, expiry date and CVV, and works for online purchases as well as in-store payments via Apple Pay or Google Pay. In Belgium, neobanks lead the way — traditional banks have not yet followed for individual customers.

What is a virtual card and what is it for?

A virtual card works exactly like a physical card, with one difference: it exists only on your smartphone. You create it in seconds from your banking app. It receives a unique number, separate from your plastic card, which lets you compartmentalize your spending.

Three use cases explain the growing popularity of these cards in Belgium. First: online shopping. You use the virtual number instead of your main card — if the merchant site suffers a data breach, your real card is not exposed. Second: subscriptions and free trials. You dedicate a virtual card to a service (Netflix, Spotify, gym membership), then delete it to stop charges without having to contact customer support. Third: budget management. Some neobanks let you create multiple virtual cards with separate spending limits — one for entertainment, one for groceries, one for business expenses.

Which banks offer a virtual card in Belgium?

No traditional Belgian bank offers a standalone virtual credit card for consumers. ING, KBC, Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, Argenta, Beobank and Crelan all allow you to add your physical card to Apple Pay or Google Pay — which creates a secure token — but none let you generate a separate card number.

BNP Paribas Fortis is the exception on the corporate side: the bank launched a Corporate Virtual Card product for business clients in 2025.

Neobanks active in Belgium fill this gap.

Revolut is the only provider offering a disposable card: the card details refresh after each transaction, making fraudulent reuse impossible. For a detailed comparison between Revolut and N26, see our Revolut vs N26 guide for Belgium.

Are virtual cards more secure?

Card-not-present (CNP) fraud accounts for the majority of losses in Europe. According to the joint EBA-ECB 2025 report, card fraud in the EU/EEA reached EUR 1.329 billion in 2024, with a fraud rate of 0.033%. Strong authentication mandated by the PSD2 directive has reduced fraud on authenticated transactions, although overall card fraud rose 29% in 2024 — as fraudsters shift toward non-authenticated transactions and social engineering.

Virtual cards add two extra layers of protection.

Tokenization. When you add a virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, the real number is never transmitted to the merchant. Each transaction uses a unique token. Even if a hacker intercepts this token, it cannot be reused for another transaction.

Isolation. If you use a dedicated virtual card for a dodgy e-commerce site, your main card and account remain protected. You can delete or freeze the compromised card in a single tap, without waiting for a physical replacement and without blocking your other payments.

For more on protecting yourself against credit card fraud in Belgium, our dedicated guide covers your PSD2 rights, the Card Stop procedure and the reflexes that matter.

Where do virtual cards not work?

Three situations cause problems. Car rental is the most common: Europcar, Hertz and Enterprise require a physical credit card at the counter for the deposit and identity verification. The online booking goes through, but at the counter, you will need to present plastic.

Hotels often apply the same policy. The virtual card works to book on Booking or Expedia, but some properties ask for a physical imprint at check-in to cover incidental charges (minibar, damages).

Disposable cards are not suitable for recurring payments: subscriptions, monthly bills or insurance. The number changes after each transaction, which triggers a rejection at the next charge. For these uses, a persistent virtual card works without issues.

If you travel frequently, the ideal combination is a physical credit card for fee-free travel at the rental counter, and a virtual card for online bookings and purchases abroad.

How to create your first virtual card

The procedure varies slightly between neobanks, but the principle is identical.

1. Download your neobank's app (Revolut, N26, Wise or Bunq) from the App Store or Play Store
2. Open an account — allow 5 to 10 minutes, with a photo of your Belgian ID card and a video selfie
3. Once the account is activated, go to the "Cards" section
4. Tap "Add a virtual card" — it is generated in seconds
5. Add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay for in-store payments
6. For a disposable card (Revolut only): select "Disposable card" from the same menu

With Revolut, the Standard virtual card is usable immediately, even before receiving the physical card. This makes it the fastest option to start paying in Belgium without waiting for the mail.

How much does a virtual card cost in Belgium?

Zero euros in most cases. All four major neobanks (Revolut, N26, Wise, Bunq) include at least one virtual card in their free plan. The real cost lies in usage fees: foreign exchange fees outside the eurozone, ATM withdrawal fees and potential subscriptions for premium plans.

For a full comparison of free credit cards available in Belgium, including traditional bank offerings, our guide details the real hidden costs.

Will Wero make virtual cards obsolete?

Wero is the new European instant payment system deployed in Belgium since 2025. All major Belgian banks (Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, KBC/CBC) have integrated it, with Argenta, Beobank and Crelan joining in 2025-2026. Wero enables instant account-to-account transfers, without Visa or Mastercard network intermediaries.

But Wero and virtual cards serve different needs. Wero works between individuals and at select Belgian merchants — it does not replace a credit card for international online purchases, car rentals or hotel bookings abroad. Virtual cards remain useful wherever a Visa or Mastercard number is required.