How to use a virtual card: Your guide to enhanced security with virtual cards

Physical cards in your pocket are slowly being replaced by digital ones on your phone. Traditional physical cards carry details that, if stolen, can lead to stress and financial loss, while the ones on your phone are kept secure by multiple layers of technology.

Virtual cards offer a modern, digital way to keep your main account details hidden from retailers and people trying to steal your information.

Whether you're signing up for a new streaming service or buying a gift from a website you haven't used before, knowing how to use virtual card technology effectively is an important skill to learn for today's world.

At Revolut, we provide virtual card options to give you more control over your spending and peace of mind with every payment.

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The information provided is accurate as of January 21, 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial advisor.

Recap: What are virtual cards and how do I use one?

• What they are: Virtual cards are digital-only cards stored in your app, not your wallet, with their own unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and CVV.
• Where to use them: You can use them for shopping online or add them to Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay at contactless machines in person.
• 2 main types: You've got multiuse virtual cards for regular payments like subscriptions and single-use cards that refresh their details after one use to prevent fraud.
• Why they're safer: You can freeze them right away in-app and they keep your real physical card details private from the seller.

How do virtual cards work?

A virtual card's a digital version of your payment card that lives in your Revolut app. It works just like a physical card, but without the physical object that can be lost. It uses a unique number and ‌technology to keep your main account details hidden from shops.

We offer 2 types of virtual cards: standard virtual cards for regular bills and single-use cards that refresh their details after every payment for extra safety.

Our virtual cards aren't just a copy of your physical card. They use completely different numbers. This means if your virtual details are stolen, you can simply delete the card and create a new one in seconds without needing to replace your physical card.

How to use virtual card details for online shopping

Using a virtual card for online purchases is simple.

1. Open your Revolut app and copy the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV.
2. Go to the store's checkout page and choose to pay by card.
3. Paste or type the virtual details into the form, just as you would with a physical card.
4. Finish the purchase process.

The main benefit here is that it keeps your main account separate. If you're shopping at a new or small online store and feel unsure about its security, using a virtual card ensures your physical card details stay private. If you're worried about a specific payment, you can freeze the virtual card right after you've paid. This stops any more charges from being made using that specific card number.

How to use a virtual Visa card or Mastercard

Whether your virtual card's a Visa or Mastercard depends on the network, but the process stays the same.

With us, you can choose between Visa and Mastercard for your virtual card, so you can pick the network you prefer.

You can use these cards anywhere that accepts those networks across the world. You'll just need to make sure the seller accepts the network shown on your digital card in-app, but usually they do.

How to use a virtual card in store

A common question is whether virtual cards only work on the internet. You can use your virtual card in physical stores by adding it to a mobile wallet.

Once you've created your virtual card in-app, you'll see an option to Add to Apple Wallet or Add to Google Wallet. Once it's linked, you can use your smartphone or smartwatch to pay at any contactless machine. Simply hold your device near the card reader, just as you would with a physical contactless card. This is often safer than carrying a physical wallet because mobile wallets need your fingerprint or Face ID before a payment's approved.

How to use your virtual card in physical stores, step by step:

1. Open your Revolut app and find the virtual card you want to use.
2. Tap the button to add it to your mobile wallet (for Apple Pay or Google Pay).
3. At the store, hold your phone near the contactless symbol on the card reader.
4. Confirm the payment with your fingerprint or Face ID when prompted.

Access to money in seconds

Virtual cards give you a way to access your balance right away. If you lose your physical card, you might have to wait 5–7 business days for a new one. With a virtual card, you can still pay your bills and buy groceries without any wait.

Better budgeting and spending control

With us, you can set individual spending limits for each virtual card you create. If you've got a card just for "Eating out", you can set a limit of $200 for the month. Once you've hit that limit, the card will stop you from making any more payments. This helps you stick to your budget in a way a single physical card can't.

How to get a virtual card with Revolut

The process takes just a few seconds in-app. Unlike plastic cards that need to be physically produced and shipped to you, virtual cards are ready to use in moments. Here's how to create one:

1. Open your app and go to the Cards section.
2. Tap Add card.
3. Choose Virtual or Single-use for a one-time virtual card.
4. Your new card details will appear right away, ready for use.

Check out our guide on how to get a virtual card for more information.

Common questions about virtual cards

We've put together answers to the most frequent questions you might have about managing your digital cards.

Is there a fee to use a virtual card?

With Revolut, creating virtual cards comes without costs, which is a real advantage compared to physical cards that can carry extra expenses such as delivery and customization fees.

Note that there are some limits for the creation of virtual cards. Revolut customers can hold up to 20 active virtual cards at any time, with one single-use card among those. Customers can only create a maximum of 5 new virtual cards every 30 days, not including single-use ones.

Do virtual cards have a single card number?

Your Revolut virtual cards have their own numbers.

A standard virtual card has one 16-digit number that stays the same until you choose to delete it.

A single-use virtual card, however, changes its number after every single payment. This technology's built to make stolen data useless to hackers.

Can I set up a virtual card for only one store?

While some systems allow this, the easiest way to do this with us is to create a specific virtual card and name it after the store (like "Amazon Card"). You can then set a limit that matches what you plan to spend there.

If you’re buying once from a single store, you can use a single-use virtual card, as its numbers will be deleted after the purchase.

Can I use a virtual card at an ATM?

You can't normally use a virtual card at an ATM because most machines need you to put a physical card inside. However, as more ATMs in the US are starting to use contactless technology, it's becoming possible to use a virtual card linked to a mobile wallet at those machines. You should look for the contactless symbol before trying to take out cash.

How do I get money off my virtual card?

Because your virtual card's linked to your account, you don't need to move money off it. The money stays in your main balance. If you want to move money out of your account, you can use a transfer or send money to a friend through the app.

How to start using Revolut virtual cards

If you want to start using virtual cards to protect your online spending, getting started is quick and easy. We've made signing up as smooth as possible so you can protect your money today. Here's how:

1. Download the app, sign up, and verify your identity in a few minutes.
2. Add money to your account with a bank transfer, a mobile wallet like Apple's and Google's, or by linking another card.
3. Go to the Cards tab and create your first virtual card right away.

By following these steps, you can stop relying on a single physical card for everything you buy. Using virtual technology is a simple but powerful way to stay safe and take full control of your money.