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Paying online if you are under 18 is usually not a problem. However, there are certain restrictions depending on the payment method
Paying online under 18: an overview of the options
Minors generally have limited options for paying online, as many payment methods require a minimum age. Prepaid cards or special accounts for children and young people are options that may be suitable.
- Prepaid credit cards: Some banks offer prepaid credit cards that can be set up by parents for their children. These cards work in a similar way to normal credit cards, but do not require a credit check or a minimum age.
- PayPal: Minors can create a PayPal account and link it to their parents’ bank account to make online payments. However, it is important to note that PayPal’s terms of use set the minimum age at 18. This means that the account must be registered in your parents’ name
- Gift cards: Minors can use gift cards for online stores or platforms such as Amazon, iTunes or Google Play to make purchases. This is a simple solution that you can buy in many supermarkets or other stores, for example.
- Transfers: In some cases, minors can make online transfers using their parents’ bank account.
Open a current account under 18: These options exist
There are many banks that also allow under-18s to open an account.
- Parents have the option of opening a current account for their child. This type of account is known as a child account, youth account or student account, for example.
- You receive a fully-fledged account here, but it does not include an overdraft facility. This means that you can only spend as much as you have in the account.
- Note, however, that these accounts have a maximum age up to which you can hold them. Some banks offer you accounts up to the age of 18, others up to 22 or 27. Such banks are, for example, Postbank, Commerzbank, DKB, Comdirect and Norisbank (as of January 2024).
- The age restriction is also subject to conditions. For example, you sometimes have to prove that you are a pupil or student.
