Looking for the best prepaid card in Sweden? You’ve come to the right place! At Kreditkort.com, we carefully review and compare all the top prepaid cards on the market. Each card is evaluated based on its benefits, fees and terms and conditions, as well as feedback from our visitors.
To make your choice easier, we have ranked the best prepaid cards in the list below, so you can find the perfect match for your needs.
Northmill Bank is a Swedish fintech company founded in 2006. Since receiving its banking license in 2019, it has focused on developing debit card solutions aimed at helping users manage their personal finances. The card is designed to work seamlessly for both in-store and online purchases-
The Northmill Visa prepaid card comes without annual fees, withdrawal fees, or currency exchange fees, making it suitable for use both in Sweden and abroad. Northmill also offers an optional credit line through its Revolve service, where users can apply to borrow a credit between £1,000 and £50,000 with flexible terms and interest rates based on individual assessments. Reduce also allows users to consolidate existing loans and credits up to 300 000 SEK, with a guaranteed lower interest rate.
Revolut is a Lithuanian-based company with a global presence. It offers a range of financial services through its app, including prepaid cards, currency exchange, and the ability to trade various financial assets. Revolut’s services are available through five different plans: Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, and the most exklusive option, Ultra. Revolut also offers a prepid card for children and a business card. The Standard card does not have many advantages apart from being free. The more expensive cards, on the other hand, have many benefits similar to those of credit cards. For example, they include a comprehensive insurance package, discounts on or free lounge access and cashback on purchases. All cards also give you free currency exchange and ATM withdrawals, however limitations are included in the differente plans
N26 is a German bank that operates across much of Europe. However, its presence in Sweden is still limited, and they do not yet offer a Swedish-language website. N26 holds a full banking license and provides a range of digital banking services, including insurance. Opening a bank account with N26 is free and includes a digital prepaid card, but a physical card is only available with one of the paid account plans that come with an annual fee. N26 offers four card packages: Standard, Smart, You, and Metal. These cards are particularly well-suited for frequent travelers. All options come without currency exchange fees, and the You and Metal plans also include free ATM withdrawals abroad. The higher-tier cards also provide comprehensive travel insurance. The N26 accounts support shared account features, making it easy to manage joint expenses with family members.
Bunq is a Dutch-founded digital bank with banking licenses across the EU. Its aim is to provide a modern alternative to traditional banking. Bunq offers four different types of bank accounts, all of which include prepaid. cards, savings interest rate and come with an IBAN, allowing users to receive deposits. Bunq offers several account plans, including Free, Core, Pro, and Elite. In addition to earning interest on deposited funds, Bunq cards come with no currency exchange fees, making them a good option for people who frequently travel or work internationally. As part of Bunq’s sustainability initiative, one tree is planted for every €1,000 spent using a Bunq prepaid card.
For a prepaid card to work for payments, you first need to transfer money to the card. Prepaid cards can be linked to an account, in which case there needs to be money in the account for you to use the card. To make a transaction with a prepaid card, you pay in the same way as with any other payment cards. The amount of your purchase is then debited directly from your card.
Since a prepaid card does not include a credit line, you can only spend the amount that has been loaded onto the card. This means transactions cannot exceed the available balance. However, in rare cases, a purchase may still go through even if the card does not have sufficient funds, which can result in an overdraft fee. These fees vary depending on the card provider but are typically around 100 SEK. In some instances, if the card is overdrawn, the bank may choose to block or cancel the card. To avoid this, it is important to ensure your prepaid card is always funded before making a transaction.
Whether you should choose a credit card or a prepaid card depends largely on how you want to pay for your purchases. With a prepaid card, you need to transfer money to the card in advance in order to make a purchase. You can only shop for the amount corresponding to the balance on the card. There is no option to pay in installments or to postpone a payment.
With a credit card, purchases are paid with a credit that is linked to the card. All transactions are collected on a single invoice sent to you. You can then choose to pay the invoice in full, in which case no interest is added to the invoice amount. You can also choose to pay in instalments, in which case interest will be charged on the amounts not paid immediately.
Some of the best credit cards offer flexible payment options, including interest-free instalments for 6–12 months or extended interest-free periods. For example, the Resurs Classic card provides up to 60 days of interest-free credit, giving you two full months to settle your balance without incurring additional interest charges.
Credit cards generally offer more features and benefits compared to prepaid cards, though the extent of these benefits can vary between cards. One key advantage of using a credit card is the flexibility it provides since you do not need to transfer money in advance to make a purchase. This can be especially useful for larger expenses, such as buying furniture, plane tickets or electronics, as well as in unexpected situations where immediate access to funds is needed. Additionally, many credit cards offer interest-free periods, allowing you to avoid extra costs if the balance is paid in full within the specified timeframe.
By following these guidelines, you can use your prepaid card safely and confidently.
Using a prepaid card while traveling is both convenient and practical. Since most prepaid cards are issued by Visa or Mastercard, they are widely accepted at ATMs and payment terminals around the world. In addition, some prepaid cards offer favorable terms for international use, including low or no foreign transaction fees.
Recently, some premium prepaid cards have begun offering complimentary travel insurance for users who pay at least 50- 75% of their trip expenses with the card. This was previously a benefit offered exclusive to credit cards but has now become available to prepaid card holders as well.
Choosing a prepaid card with travel insurance can be a wise choice to ensure peace of mind and benefits while traveling, while taking advantage of the convenience of a prepaid card for your transactions around the world.
Car rental companies typically require a credit card when booking a vehicle. This is because they place a hold on the card as a security deposit to cover any potential damage or additional charges during the rental period.
When renting a car with a prepaid card, it is often not possible to place a hold for a security deposit, which is why many car rental companies choose not to accept prepaid cards. If a company does allow rentals with a prepaid card, you will typically need to pay the deposit upfront, and some providers may also charge an additional fee.
One of the main reasons why many people choose to get a debit card is that it is usually possible to apply for a prepaid card without a credit check. This means that you can be granted a prepaid card despite a payment default. This also makes prepaid cards suitable for people with a lower credit core. With a low credit score, it can be harder to receive a credit card.A low credit score can result from several factors, such as multiple credit checks within a short period, lack of stable employment, or having existing loans and credit accounts in your name.
Prepaid cards are also a good option for those who want greater control over their finances. Since you can only spend the amount that has been loaded onto the card, there is no risk of going over budget. You are limited to what you can actually afford, which can be helpful if you tend to overspend or simply prefer not to use credit.
There are several free cards that have no annual fee that offer basic benefits like bonus and insurance. You can also opt for a prepaid cards with an annual fee that offer even more benefits that in many cases can outweigh the annual fee. Depending on how you intend to use the card and what benefits you are interested in, it may be worth choosing a card with an annual fee. If, on the other hand, you plan to use the card only as a buffer, you may be better off choosing a free prepaid card.
Even debit cards with no annual fee may come with other charges that are important to consider when comparing options. These can include administration fees, cash withdrawal fees, or currency surcharges. If you plan to use the card when traveling abroad, it may be wise to choose a card that does not charge for currency exchanges. When comparing prepaid cards, take the time to calculate the total potential cost based on how you intend to use the card.
What benefits does the card offer, and are they actually useful to you? Choosing a prepaid card with cashback or other rewards only makes sense if those rewards align with your spending habits. For example, there is little value in getting a card with bonus if the card only gives bonus for purchases in stores where you rarely shop. This applies whether the card offers cashback, discounts, or insurance. Make sure to compare different prepaid cards and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and spending habits.
When comparing prepaid cards, it can be helpful to consider how easy it is to load money onto the card. Does the card come with a user-friendly app where you can track your transactions in real time? Can you top up the card using Swish, or is a bank transfer or invoice payment required? Ideally, you want a card that allows for quick and convenient transfers, so you can manage your funds with minimal hassle.
The easiest way to find the best prepaid card is by comparing different alternatives based on your needs, spending habits, and preferences. While credit cards often come with more benefits, there is a wide selection of affordable, and even free prepaid cards that may be a better fit for you. By looking at factors such as fees, benefits, and having a clean plan on how you will use the card, you can easily find the best alternative for you.
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