The most annoying thing that can happen on your trip to Europe is not being able to pay by credit card in supermarkets, shops or restaurants. What? Are there places where credit cards or overseas debit cards aren’t accepted? Yes! But no worries there is a solution. Let me tell you about the benefits of a Maestro card.
What is a Maestro card? Is it a debit card?
Maestro is a payment brand created by MasterCard. It consists of debit cards and prepaid cards. Maestro cards are the most popular type of bank card in various European countries, for example, The Netherlands and Germany.
This means that many point-of-sale machines in shops, restaurants and supermarkets only accept Maestro cards. It simply is the payment standard in these European countries.
What is the difference between MasterCard and Maestro?
If Maestro is a MasterCard brand can I use my MasterCard credit card in payment machines in shops that accept Maestro Cards? Unfortunately not. Maestro and MasterCard are two different type of cards and payment systems:
- Maestro is a debit card that can be used to pay in shops or to get cash money via an ATM
- A MasterCard card can be a credit card, debit card or a prepaid credit card. Payments via this system are always processed as a credit card payment (from the perspective of the back-end/merchant).
As Maestro is the leading payment card type in these European countries regular MasterCard or Visa credit cards aren’t accepted. Why? Because for the shop, a Maestro card payment is a lot cheaper than a credit card payment. Therefore, the majority of shops in these countries only accept Maestro cards. It is easier and cheaper for the merchant aka shopkeeper.
Which countries use the Maestro payment standard?
In the following European countries, Maestro is an important payment card or even the leading payment card.
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Germany
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Russia
- Serbia
- Switzerland
How can I get a Maestro card for my next trip to Europe?
If you have an overseas bank account it is highly unlikely that your bank supports or issues Maestro cards. In most countries worldwide MasterCard and Visa credit cards and debit cards are the leading payment system.
Here’s how to get a Maestro card when residing in the USA, UK, Australia and many other overseas countries around the world.
- Open an easy as Revolut account. Revolut is a modern online bank alternative and payment provider. It is the perfect payment solution for travellers or digital nomads, basically anyone travelling.
- Via the app, you can apply for a Maestro card. Make sure to select a Maestro card when ordering a card and not MasterCard or Visa. Revolut offers a wide range of card types, that’s why they are perfect for travellers and global citizens.
- You’ll also get an online debit card that you can add to Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Revolut offers more advantages to travellers and digital nomads. These advantages are all listed here, so we don’t need to repeat that info here.
Who can get a Revolut Maestro card?
If you are living in or are a resident of the following countries you can open a Revolut account and can get a Maestro card if it is supported in your territory.
- Australia
- Japan
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom (UK)
- United States of America (USA)
- European Economic Area
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden.
More countries will be added, so keep your eyes on the supported countries page if your country isn’t listed yet.
How does the Revolut Maestro card work?
A Maestro card is just as easy to use as any debit or credit card.
- Contactless payment (tap & go, payWave etc) – simply hold your Maestro card close to the dedicated contactless area of the payment machine and the payment will be processed. You will receive an instant notification via the Revolut app that you have made a payment. Easy and a great security feature.
- Pay via chip by putting your Maestro card in the payment machine. Enter your pin code and the payment will be processed. You can set your own pin code when you order your Revolut Maestro card. You will also receive an instant notification via the app. The first payment with your new Revolut Maestro card must be done like this to unlock your new card. From then on you can also use the contactless payment option.
What is your experience with Revolut? Is it safe?
The advantage of a modern online payment system like Revolut is that you are in control. Via the app, you can see what happens to your account and Maestro card(s). Every payment is logged and you’ll receive a notification. If you do lose your card you can simply freeze or lock the card via the app. Much easier than with a traditional bank.
Security is key for these modern online banks and the same goes for Revolut. They safeguard their customer’s money by keeping it separate from their own money. In the unlikely event the company goes belly up, your money is always safe as it is stored outside the company.
And there are heaps of security features built-in their app and systems, for example, 2-factor authentication when you want to transfer money.
Are there other online banks and payment providers that support Maestro?
There are several other online banks or payment systems that offer services similar to Revolut. Some are direct competitors, while others are more complimentary. However, the big question is, do they also offer the option to get a Maestro card?
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise is the online bank account alternative that is complimentary to Revolut. Some of their services are similar to Revolut but they also offer services that Revolut doesn’t offer yet.
The reasons to choose a free Wise bank account alternative are:
- It is free to open a Wise account
- Wise offers you a free local bank account in these countries or areas:
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- …and several other countries
- You can manage more different currencies via the Wise app (you can keep and pay with lots of currencies worldwide)
More info about Wise and its bank account services can be found in this blog post. They do offer a lot of services for travellers and digital nomads to make banking easier when travelling the world.
Does Wise offer a Maestro card? Unfortunately not. Wise offer Visa or MasterCard prepaid aka debit cards, but they don’t offer Maestro cards.
N26 – free bank account and a Maestro card
N26 is a German online bank that is popular in Europe as it offers a free European bank account. They are more like a traditional bank (money guaranteed via deposit protection) but with all the advantages of bank alternatives like Wise.
N26 also offers its customers the option to go for a Maestro card. And they have implemented the services of Wise so customers can transfer money worldwide at a super low fee. Their app rocks and is so easy to use. N26 is also a perfect banking solution for travellers and digital nomads.
Anyone in the following countries can open a free bank account with N26.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- the Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland.
Do I need a Maestro card when travelling in Europe?
As Maestro is popular in various European countries, it is a must to have a Maestro card in your wallet. You won’t be able to use your credit card or overseas payment card. Especially as it isn’t common to pay by credit card in supermarkets and small stores in Europe.
Yes, Maestro will be phased out from 2023 onwards and many European payment terminals in shops will be able to accept MasterCard and Visa cards. However, Maestro will remain popular until the switch is completed in full, which is still many years away.
As it is easy to open a Revolut account and a physical Maestro card can be added as well, it makes sense to have a Maestro card in your wallet when you travel to Europe. Better safe than sorry.
Take for example the Netherlands. You won’t be able to pay by MasterCard or Visa credit card in these popular chain stores.
- Albert Heijn Supermarkets, the biggest and most popular supermarket chain in the Netherlands.
- Card machines at train stations don’t accept credit cards but only Maestro cards. Train ticket machines in big cities and at airports have made the switch and accept foreign cards, but many machines still accept Maestro cards exclusively.
- Small shops, like bottle shops, cheese shops or mum ‘n pap stores, don’t accept credit cards. There are so many small and independent shops in The Netherlands that only accept Maestro cards.
For travellers and digital nomads, it just makes sense to have a backup payment card in their wallet. Just in case but also to be able to deal with all the different payment systems around the world.
Might need to update your country list as to whom can receive a Maestro card, doesn’t work for UK registrants/residents from what I could see. Revolut’s customer support was very wishy-washy about the whole thing, said that Maestro just wasn’t available at all now so who knows. Been told yes and no by various members of their customer support staff so no idea now.
Thanks for the feedback, Benjamin. The list was more of an overview of all countries that can open a Revolut account. As it turns out not all of these countries have access to a Maestro card… So have updated the text. But they do have access to regular Visa or MC cards and other Revolut benefits.
Thanks for pointing this out. Too bad UK residents can’t get the Maestro version.
I tried this, but Revolut says they don’t offer maestro (anymore)
Hi Eric… Hmm that’s weird. I recently ordered and received a new Maestro card myself.
Have just checked the support forum as well… “Revolut issues Maestro in various regions like the Netherlands, Germany and various others. “Having an address” is not sufficient. It’s about residency. (And it would be a violation of Revolut’s T&Cs to make false statements about this, so I wouldn’t recommend it.)”
I’ll look into it and update this blog post when there is new info. Thanks for posting your feedback.
Hi Eric… Here’s an update, straight from the Revolut support team and from a recent test I did. Revolut: “The brand of your card is based on your selected card design and location. If your selected card design does not have the brand of your choice, please check if your preferred brand is available with any of our other card designs.” Tested via the Revolut app: Here’s how to apply for a Maestro card…. In the Revolut app, select the card next to the purple/blue-ish standard Visa card (click circle below the card). Then you’ll see the Maestro card… If… Read more »
I have revolut free account and I don’t think it’s possible with that. I only see a card with the maestro symbol if I choose a card that requires me to upgrade to the “metal” plan (13.99 euros per month). I even changed my address in revolut to a Dutch address because I spend a lot of time in the Netherlands, but it made no difference…….
Hi maestroneeder… It sure is possible on the free account. It just depends on the region you are in. My recent Maestro screenshot was from a free account application that was recently done by a mate residing in the Netherlands.
if you already have an account and then change the address it won’t change the region of your account. As Revolut has different card options for each region it is possible that in some regions Maestro is only available on a paid plan.
Thanks for your reply! This is really inconvenient for me. I am actually employed by a Dutch company, and living in a different European country. I don’t see why revolut can’t offer maestro to anyone in Europe, considering it is supposed to be free movement and banking between European countries.