GeldKarte in Germany

[fandroid]

Many local transport ticket machines in Germany show the symbol of the GeldKarte as a method of payment. I understand that this is a pre-loaded cash card. Does anyone know if you can get hold of one of these without having a bank account (or address) in Germany? I have tried asking at the tourist office in Hanover and banks elsewhere in Germany, but they seemed mystified by my request!

 

[WestCoast]

I'm not sure it's quite what you think it is. It's usually a function of the EC-Karte (debit cards) that are connected to a Girokonto (current account). You load money onto the GeldKarte function on your debit card at, say, an ATM and then you can pay without processing and PIN wherever you see the GeldKarte sign.

However, I do believe you can buy a "Kontounabhängige Geldkarte" (Card without connection to a bank account) here; http://www.geldkarte-shop.de/product_info.php/product/Kontounabhaengige_GeldKarte. However I don't believe it's useful for you since it states that you must contact your (German) bank for their ways to load it.

The only feasible way seems to be through Sparkasse with the so called "Kontoungebundene Weiße Karte" (white card without bank account connection) in branch (https://www.sskm.de/privatkunden/konto_service/bezahlen_karten/geldkarte.jsp#page4), however this info is from Sparkasse Munich and as Sparkasse is a brand of many smaller credit institutions I'm unsure if this is offered nationwide.

If you're UK based, I recommend Metro Bank as their debit cards are fee-free on transactions in all EU and selected non-EU countries.

 

[fandroid]

Thanks for all that info. I suspect the Metro Bank debit card tip won't work as the machines I am thinking of are those at tram stops, and they don't normally accept debit or credit cards. I'm really looking for a way to buy tickets without having to hoard cash. Sometimes the machines only accept coin, and sometimes they are reluctant to accept notes, or limit the denominations of notes. However, the Metro Bank tip is a good one, as I hate paying a fee and withdrawing large sums just to spread a fixed fee further. I'll try the Sparkasse one on my next trip - Nuremberg in December.

 

[radamfi]

If you are really determined to get a German bank card, you could open an account with DKB. A number of people recommend DKB as you can open the account whilst living outside Germany and is free of charge. You have to operate it in German, but some people have managed to open it with limited German knowledge:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3770459

 

[duesselmartin]

The Geldkarte is not to be confused with Maestro V-Pay and co.
It is however a system that is slowly dissapearing as it is unpopular even with Germans.
Only few ticket machines, mainly older ones, take Cash and Geldkarte only. Most accept Maestro.