Pay with a credit card without a PIN - how it works

In many cases you can pay with your credit card without a PIN. In this article we explain how this works and what restrictions apply.

Credit card payment without a PIN - how it works

In the past, there were two predominant options when paying by card: payment with a PIN or with a signature. Since signature protection is now considered too insecure, it is only used in very few stores. For this, contactless payment is becoming increasingly common.

• If you have a credit card that is suitable for contactless payment, just hold it to the terminal. A PIN will then only be requested if your purchase exceeds a certain amount.
• For holders of a VISA card, the maximum amount for payments without a PIN is 50 euros. For the Mastercard, payments up to 25 euros are processed without a PIN. In both cases you have to use contactless payment, otherwise the PIN will be required for smaller amounts.
• The good news: by 2020, all shops that offer card payment must also have a corresponding terminal for contactless payment. If you pay small amounts with your credit card, you will need your PIN less and less.
• Even if you use the credit card to shop online, the PIN is not requested. As a rule, use the three-digit check digit here, which is located on the back of the card.
• However, you should not forget your PIN completely. In order to pay larger amounts or withdraw money, for example, you still need the four-digit PIN.