Prepaid Cards in Belgium: Comparison and Practical Guide

A prepaid card works like a digital envelope: you load it with an amount, then spend until the balance runs out. No overdraft possible, no credit check required. In Belgium, this type of card appeals to parents who want to control their children's spending, travellers looking to manage their budget, and people blacklisted at the National Bank who no longer have access to traditional credit cards.

Which prepaid cards are available in Belgium in 2026?

The market shifted in 2026. Bpost's shutdown of bpaid in late February removed Belgium's best-known prepaid card, but Nickel took over at the same post offices. What remains are also cards from traditional banks — which require a current account — and neobanks, technically debit cards backed by an account balance but functioning like prepaid cards.

The distinction matters: Belfius, CBC and KBC cards are true prepaid cards — the balance is separate from your current account. Nickel offers a full Belgian IBAN with a Mastercard Debit that cannot go into overdraft. Neobank cards are linked to an account balance, but with no overdraft possible — the result is identical for the user.

Why was bpaid discontinued and what are the alternatives?

Bpost ended the bpaid service on 28 February 2026. This rechargeable Visa prepaid card, loadable at post offices, was the best-known solution for people without a bank account. Existing cards were automatically closed.

The direct successor is Nickel, distributed at 656 bpost offices. Opening takes 5 minutes with just an ID document — 190 passports are accepted. For EUR 25 per year, you receive a Mastercard Debit with a Belgian IBAN. No income requirements, no credit check. Former bpaid customers received a first-year reimbursement and EUR 5 welcome bonus.

Two other options stand out. Revolut Standard is free, opens an account in 10 minutes from a smartphone and provides an instant virtual card. Wise offers similar quick access, with some of the lowest exchange fees on the market (from 0.33%) and a multi-currency account (40+ currencies at interbank rates).

For those who chose bpaid precisely because they had no bank account, Nickel is the most natural transition — same distribution network, same simplicity. Neobanks suit those comfortable with fully digital sign-up. None of these options check the Central Credit Register.

What is the real cost of a prepaid card in Belgium?

The annual fee only tells part of the story. Exchange fees, ATM withdrawal charges and reload costs change the calculation.

*Revolut applies a 1% markup on weekends and public holidays (Standard plan).

For a Belgian resident who does not travel, a traditional bank card at EUR 12/year covers the basics. As soon as you regularly pay outside the eurozone — trips, online purchases in British pounds or US dollars — neobanks save between EUR 30 and 80 per year on exchange fees compared to traditional banks. Our guide to travel cards without fees breaks down the maths.

Which prepaid card for your profile?

The right choice depends on why you need a prepaid card.

Minor or teenager. CBC and KBC offer their Mastercard Prepaid from age 10 with parental consent — the youngest access age among traditional Belgian banks. Belfius accepts minors from age 16. Revolut offers a junior account with real-time parental spending tracking. The maximum balance per card is EUR 5,000 at CBC/KBC, with reloads capped at EUR 1,250 per transaction.

Blacklisted at the National Bank. Prepaid cards are not credit products — the National Bank is not involved. Neobanks (Revolut, N26, Wise) do not check the Central Credit Register when opening an account. This is the most direct path to regaining access to card payments. See our CCP blacklisting guide to understand your rights.

Frequent traveller. Revolut and Wise dominate thanks to their near-interbank exchange rates. Belgian banks charge around 1.5% commission on every payment outside the eurozone — on EUR 3,000 of annual foreign spending, the difference amounts to EUR 45.

Budget control. The prepaid card is a financial discipline tool. You load a fixed amount per week or month, and that is it — no temptation of an overdraft. Revolut lets you create multiple "pockets" (vaults) to segment spending.

Secure online shopping. To limit fraud exposure, a prepaid card with a limited balance is safer than a credit card with a EUR 5,000 limit. Revolut offers disposable virtual cards whose number changes with each transaction.

How to get a prepaid card in Belgium?

Three paths, depending on your situation.

Nickel (via bpost). Walk into any of the 656 bpost offices with your ID. The account opens in 5 minutes. You leave with a Mastercard Debit card and a Belgian IBAN. No prior bank account needed, no income proof. 190 passports accepted.

Traditional bank (Belfius, CBC, KBC). Visit a branch or open an account online. The prepaid card is an add-on product to your current account. Allow 5 to 10 business days to receive the physical card by post. You reload via the mobile app or at the counter.

Neobank (Revolut, N26, Wise, Bunq). Download the app, scan your ID card, take a video selfie — the account is open in 10 minutes. You immediately receive a virtual card usable online and via Apple Pay or Google Pay. The physical card arrives in 5 to 12 days. The balance is topped up by bank transfer from your existing Belgian account.

For minors, a parent must create the account and give consent. At CBC/KBC, the process can be done in-branch from age 10. At Revolut, the parent creates a junior account from their own app.

Prepaid, debit or credit: three products, three logics

Confusion between these products is common. Each type serves a different need.

A credit card remains essential for certain uses: car rental, hotel deposits and full chargeback protection. A prepaid card does not replace a credit card — it complements your wallet by offering strict spending control.

Are prepaid cards safe for online payments?

Yes, and this is actually one of their strong points. A prepaid card used for online shopping limits the damage in case of fraud: the fraudster cannot exceed the loaded balance. With a standard credit card, a compromise can expose several thousand euros of credit limit.

All prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Belgium are covered by PSD2 strong authentication (3D Secure). Every online purchase triggers verification via your banking app or an SMS code.

For maximum security, combine a prepaid card with a limited balance and Revolut's disposable virtual cards. The number changes with each transaction — even if a merchant suffers a data breach, the compromised number is already invalid.

FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions are integrated into this page's structured data. See the sections above for full details on prepaid cards in Belgium.