Free Credit Card with
Apple Pay in Germany

Q: Can I use Apple Pay without a credit card in Germany?

Yes. Some German banks let you add a debit card (Girokarte or Visa/Mastercard Debit) to Apple Pay. N26, DKB, and ING all support this. However, a credit card gives you more flexibility for online payments and international purchases.

Q: Does Apple Pay cost anything?

No fees from Apple. You pay whatever your credit card normally charges. With a free credit card, that means zero annual fee and zero payment fees in Germany.

Q: What happens if I lose my iPhone?

Go to iCloud.com or use the Find My app on another device. You can suspend Apple Pay instantly. Your real card number was never on the phone, so you do not need to cancel the physical card.

Q: Do I need a German bank account for Apple Pay?

Not necessarily. Cards from international banks like N26 or Revolut work fine. Some cards like Advanzia Mastercard do not require a German checking account at all.

Q: Can I use Apple Pay in other countries?

Yes. Apple Pay works internationally wherever contactless payments are accepted. Your card's foreign transaction fees still apply. Cards like Barclays Visa charge zero foreign transaction fees.

Q: How many cards can I add to Apple Pay?

You can add up to 16 cards on most iPhone models. Pick one as your default, and switch between cards at the payment terminal by tapping the card icon before holding your phone to the reader.

Q: Is there a spending limit with Apple Pay?

Apple Pay itself has no limit. Some German merchants cap contactless transactions at 50 EUR, but Apple Pay usually bypasses this because Face ID counts as verification. For very large amounts, the cashier might ask for a physical card.

Q: Does Apple Pay work on older iPhones?

Apple Pay works on iPhone 6 and newer. For Face ID payments, you need iPhone X or later. Older models use Touch ID (the fingerprint sensor). All Apple Watch models support Apple Pay.

Pay contactless with your iPhone. No annual fee, no German required.

Contactless

Face ID / Touch ID

Online & In Store

0 EUR

Annual Fee

Apple Pay

Ready

<1 Sec

Payment Time

NFC

No Internet Needed

Which Free Credit Cards Work with Apple Pay?

If you live in Germany and own an iPhone, you can pay for almost anything without pulling out a plastic card. Apple Pay works at most stores here, from Rewe to Media Markt, and setting it up takes about two minutes. The catch? Not every credit card works with Apple Pay, and finding one with no annual fee can feel like a scavenger hunt when everything is in German.

Barclays Visa

No foreign transaction fees, free cash withdrawals worldwide

Hanseatic GenialCard

Flexible repayment, up to 7% cashback at partner stores

DKB Visa Debit

Free checking account (Girokonto) included

N26 Mastercard

App-based, instant push notifications

Advanzia Mastercard Gold

No annual fee, travel insurance included

ING Visa Card

Free with salary deposits

All cards above can be added to Apple Wallet. Compare current offers and terms below.

How to Set Up Apple Pay on Your iPhone

Takes less than three minutes. No trip to the bank, no paperwork.

1Open the Wallet app on your iPhone
2Tap the plus (+) icon in the top right corner
3Choose "Credit or Debit Card"
4Point your camera at your card or type the numbers manually
5Accept the terms and verify through your bank (usually a text message or banking app)

For Apple Watch: open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to "Wallet & Apple Pay," and add the same card. The Watch works independently, so your iPhone does not need to be nearby. Not sure which card type to add? See our guide to debit vs credit cards in Germany.

Compare Apple Pay Credit Cards

All free cards with Apple Pay support. No annual fee.

Is Apple Pay Safe to Use?

Tokenization

Your real card number never reaches the terminal. Apple Pay creates a one-time code for each purchase.

Biometric Protection

Every payment needs Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Nobody can pay without your authorization.

Remote Disable

Lost your phone? Disable Apple Pay through the "Find My" app. No need to cancel the physical card.

Where Does Apple Pay Work in Germany?

Apple Pay works at any store with an NFC payment terminal. That covers most retailers in Germany in 2026.

Supermarkets

Rewe, Edeka, Lidl, Aldi

Drugstores

dm, Rossmann, Müller

Gas Stations

Aral, Shell, Total

Electronics

Media Markt, Saturn

Fast Food

McDonald's, Starbucks

Online

Any Apple Pay checkout

No internet needed for in-store payments. Apple Pay uses NFC, which communicates directly with the terminal. Apple Pay also removes the 50 EUR contactless limit that many German terminals set for regular card taps, since Face ID counts as verification.

Apple Pay vs. Google Pay

Both work the same way: hold your phone to the terminal, authenticate, done. Apple Pay is for iPhone and Apple Watch. Google Pay is for Android. The credit cards that support one usually support the other, so the card list above works for both systems.

Looking for a card that works well for travel? Check our credit cards for USA travel or see all options in our complete credit card comparison. Need a quick loan instead? Compare small loans from 20+ German banks.

Many of these cards work well for foreigners and expats in Germany. See our best credit cards for foreigners in Germany for the full ranking, including which cards are easiest to get without a Schufa history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Pay