Girocard to add in‑app payments, hotel pre‑authorisation and age‑check by 2027

Germany’s Girocard – the nation’s most widely used debit card – is set to receive a suite of new functions that will keep it competitive with credit‑card schemes. From spring 2027 the card will support in‑app payments, allowing shoppers to pay directly inside merchant apps. A “whitelisting” system will let customers mark trusted retailers, reducing the need for transaction‑by‑transaction authentication. The card will also gain pre‑authorisation capabilities, enabling hotels and car‑rental firms to place a temporary hold on funds for deposits, a feature previously only available with credit cards. Integration into the Payback loyalty app and broader digital‑wallet compatibility are planned, while an automatic age‑verification function will check the buyer’s legal age when the card is used at vending machines for cigarettes or alcohol.

Euro Kartensysteme’s product director Christopher Kirsch said the updates are intended to preserve the Girocard’s cost‑efficiency while expanding its utility: “We want the card to stay cheap for merchants, yet useful for a wider range of services.” Physical cards will remain in circulation, but a digital‑only option will be possible for users who prefer it. The changes are being piloted with major retailers and are expected to be live for hotels, rental‑car agencies and selected merchants by early 2027.