Best Instant Virtual Cards
Google Pay & Apple Pay Ready Options

Getsby Blog Team | January 30, 2026

The best Google Pay-ready virtual card is one that shows card details instantly and can be added to Google Wallet immediately after verification (Getsby is built for that ‘instant + control’ workflow). If you need a virtual Mastercard instantly, choose a provider that issues card details in-app within minutes and supports immediate wallet tokenisation; in the EU and UK, Getsby and Skrill are common starting points, while Revolut and Wise may depend on verification status. This guide cuts through the confusion by separating “instant card details” from “instant wallet readiness” and maps every setup step you need to pay online or in-store within minutes.

Quick Answer at a Glance

“Instant issuance” means you can see a usable virtual card number and CVV in the app within minutes, not days. You still need to confirm your identity first, but once that’s done, the card appears immediately. The fastest ‘wallet-ready’ option is the provider that issues card details instantly and supports immediate Apple Pay or Google Pay tokenisation after verification.

For most shoppers who want quick setup and maximum control over subscriptions, a prepaid virtual Mastercard like Getsby is the simplest choice. Getsby cards show card details in-app the moment you create them, they can be added to Google Pay and Apple Pay straight away, and you get one-tap controls to freeze or dispose of the card after a purchase. If you need travel features or multi-currency, Revolut and Wise are strong alternatives (though “instant” may depend on your account status). If you want a full current account with a virtual debit card, Monzo, Starling, and Chase UK are credible UK bank options.

Research shows that 57% of UK adults were using mobile wallets in 2024 (a 15% increase from 2023), so wallet-first thinking is now mainstream. That’s why this comparison starts with “can you add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay today?” rather than simply “does a virtual card exist?”
 

Instant Virtual Card Options (2026): Wallet Readiness and Controls

Disclaimer: Features can change. Confirm in-app. Last updated April 2025. For more detail on prepaid options, see our guide to best virtual prepaid cards.

What “Instant” Really Means in 2026

You need to pay online in 5 minutes. What must be true? You need three things: (1) card details (number, expiry, CVV) visible in the app, (2) the ability to add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay if you’re paying in-store or contactlessly, and (3) enough cleared balance to cover the charge plus any authorisation holds. Most people conflate “virtual card generated” with “can pay with Google Pay today,” but they’re not the same.

A virtual card is only ‘instant’ for contactless payments when it can be tokenised into Apple Pay or Google Pay right away. McKinsey reports that 90% of consumers in Europe and the US used some form of digital payment in 2024, so this isn’t niche. If you skip the wallet step, you can still copy-paste the card details for online purchases, but contactless in-store won’t work until you add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

Tokenisation replaces your real card number with a device-specific token, so merchants and terminals don’t receive your actual card details. This is how Apple Pay and Google Pay keep your card number private even when you tap to pay. For more on adding a card, see our step-by-step guide to add a virtual card to Google Pay.
 

The three layers of “instant”

Budget 5 to 15 minutes if verification is smooth. If your ID check is instant and you top up via Faster Payments, you can be spend-ready in under 10 minutes. If you’re asked for additional documents or your bank transfer is slow, add 1 to 2 hours.

Virtual Debit vs Virtual Prepaid vs Virtual Credit

If your priority is isolating risk from your main bank account, prepaid usually wins. A virtual prepaid card is a digital card number you top up in advance, so you can’t spend more than the loaded balance. Prepaid virtual cards are popular for safer online shopping because the maximum loss is limited to the balance you load.

Virtual debit cards draw from a bank or current account balance; they’re convenient, but exposure is broader. If your debit card details are compromised, the attacker can attempt transactions up to your account balance or overdraft limit (if you have one). Virtual credit cards offer a borrowing line, but they’re less common in the prepaid space and not the focus of this guide.

Reality: most reputable products require identity checks (KYC). Privacy does not equal anonymity. Legitimate providers need to verify who you are to comply with UK and EU financial regulations. The privacy benefit is control and compartmentalisation (merchants never touch your main bank card details), not complete anonymity. ONS datasets confirm that card payments are the dominant spending method, which explains why regulation is tight.
 

Card type comparison

For detail on prepaid mechanics, read our explainer on what a prepaid card is.

Non-Negotiables for Apple Pay and Google Pay Readiness (Checklist)

Before you sign up, confirm these 6 wallet requirements:

1. Device: Apple Pay on iPhone or Apple Watch (iOS current or previous major version); Google Pay via Google Wallet on Android (OS 7.0 or later).
2. Security: Passcode or biometric (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint) enabled on the device. Wallets won’t add cards to unsecured devices.
3. Provider eligibility: The card issuer must support Apple Pay and Google Pay. Check the provider’s FAQs or app before signing up.
4. Verification completed: Most issuers won’t let you add a card to a wallet until your identity verification is finished.
5. Region match: Your account address and device region should match the EU or UK. Some providers apply geographic restrictions.
6. First-payment 3D Secure: The first time you pay with the card (online or wallet), you may see a 3D Secure prompt asking you to confirm in-app. This is normal and only happens once per card or device.

If a provider can’t confirm Apple Pay and Google Pay eligibility up front, treat that as a trust red flag. Wallet readiness is not an optional feature in 2026. Data shows that 57% of UK adults used mobile wallets in 2024 (up 15% from 2023), so any serious card product supports both platforms.

For step-by-step wallet setup, see our guide on how to add a virtual card to Apple Pay.
 

Common wallet add failures and fixes

How to Get a Virtual Mastercard Instantly

If you only follow one section, follow this. To get a virtual Mastercard instantly, complete verification first, then generate the card in-app, top up with a small buffer, and only then add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.

The exact order of operations prevents declines and frustration:

1. Pick prepaid vs debit based on risk and use case. If you want to protect your main bank account, choose prepaid. If you want current account convenience and you trust the provider’s security, choose debit.
2. Complete verification. Upload your ID (passport or driving licence). Most apps use automated checks that finish in under 5 minutes. Legitimate providers must verify your identity to comply with regulations. This is why you can’t get a truly anonymous virtual card in the EU and UK.
3. Generate card details. Once verified, create the virtual card in the app. You should see the 16-digit PAN, expiry date, and CVV immediately. If you don’t, the app will tell you why (usually verification pending or account restrictions).
4. Top up with a 10-20% buffer for authorisation holds. Authorisation holds are temporary reserved amounts a merchant places on your card balance before final settlement. Hotels, car hire companies, and some subscription trials place holds that can be € 10 to € 100+ above the transaction value. If you load exactly the amount you need, the hold will cause a decline. Add a buffer.
5. Add to Apple Pay or Google Pay. Open the wallet app on your device, tap “Add card”, scan or enter the card details, and complete any issuer verification (usually an SMS code or in-app prompt). The card should tokenise immediately if your device and security settings are correct.
6. Run a small test transaction before high-value spend. Make a € 1 or € 2 purchase online or in-store to confirm the card works and 3D Secure is set up. This avoids discovering problems when you’re trying to buy something time-sensitive or expensive.

For more on managing your card after setup, read our guide to activate and manage your card.
 

Disposable vs reloadable decision table

Security and Privacy (Without Myths)

Virtual doesn’t mean anonymous; it means compartmentalised. For the strongest protection, use a prepaid virtual card with a low balance and pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay so your real card number is never shared.

Tokenisation via Apple Pay and Google Pay: When you add a virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, the wallet creates a device-specific token. This token is a substitute number that represents your card. When you tap to pay in-store or pay in-app, the merchant receives the token, not your actual card number. If the merchant’s system is breached, your real card number is not in the data. Tokenisation reduces card-number exposure and is one of the strongest security features of mobile wallets.

3D Secure: 3D Secure is an extra verification step for online card payments where you approve the purchase in-app or via a one-time code. It can cause friction (an extra prompt, a few seconds’ delay), but that friction is good. It prevents fraudsters from using your card details even if they steal them. Most merchants now require 3D Secure for card-not-present transactions. For more detail, see our explainer on what 3D Secure is.

Controls that matter: Freeze and unfreeze instantly in-app. Create disposable numbers for one-off use. Keep balances low (only load what you need). Enable transaction alerts so you know immediately if the card is used.

Privacy: Merchants see a card number, but your main bank card stays protected. If you use a prepaid virtual card, the merchant never touches your current account. This is “prepaid isolation”: spending is limited to what you loaded onto the card. If the card details are compromised, the attacker can only attempt to spend the remaining balance, not drain your bank account. For a broader look at payment security, read our guide on online payment security.
 

Threat comparison: normal debit card vs virtual prepaid card

Regulatory developments such as the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 2024 rule defining larger participants in the digital payment market show that digital payments are under growing oversight. This is a good thing; it means the wild west is ending and consumers have more protection. While this specific rule is US-based, it reflects a global trend of tighter regulation for digital wallets and virtual cards.

Common Issues

Most problems come down to one of five causes. Check these in order:

1. Insufficient funds due to authorisation holds. If your virtual card declines but you have money, the most common cause is a temporary authorisation hold or an incomplete 3D Secure step. Merchants (especially hotels, car hire, petrol stations) place holds that exceed the final charge. Add a 10-20% buffer.
2. Merchant requires physical card. Some merchants (car hire desks, some hotels) require a physical card for inspection or policy reasons. Virtual cards won’t work. Carry a backup physical card.
3. Mismatched billing details. The name, postcode, and address you provide must match the account holder details exactly. If you enter a different name or address, the payment will be declined.
4. 3D Secure not completed. If you skip or ignore the 3D Secure prompt, the payment fails. Check your app for a pending verification request and complete it.
5. Card frozen or disposed. Check the app. If you froze the card for a previous transaction and forgot to unfreeze it, payments will be declined. If you disposed of a disposable card and are trying to reuse it, it won’t work.

Google Pay and Apple Pay Add Failures

If Apple Pay or Google Pay won’t let you add the card:

• Verification incomplete: Finish the ID check in the card app first.
• Device security disabled: Enable passcode or biometric authentication.
• Region mismatch: Check that your device region is set correctly and your account address matches.
• Provider eligibility rules: Confirm the card issuer supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. Check the app’s FAQs or contact support.

For more troubleshooting, see our guide on card decline reasons.
 

Symptom, cause, and fix

Merchant verification charge: A merchant verification charge is a small temporary charge (often € 0 to € 1) used to confirm your card details are valid. It appears on your statement and is usually refunded within 1-7 days. This is normal and not a sign of fraud.

How to Choose (Decision Checklist)

If you’re torn between options, answer these 7 questions:

1. Do you need prepaid isolation or current-account convenience? If you want to protect your main bank account, choose prepaid (Getsby, Skrill). If you want current-account convenience, choose debit (Revolut, Wise, Monzo, Starling, Chase UK).
2. Do you need disposable numbers for unknown merchants and trials? If yes, choose Getsby Virtual Black Card or Monzo disposable cards.
3. Do you need immediate Apple Pay and Google Pay use? All providers in this guide support both, but confirm during sign-up.
4. Do you need multi-currency or FX features? If you travel frequently or spend in foreign currencies, choose Wise or Revolut.
5. Do you need subscription controls that are simple enough to actually use? If yes, choose Getsby (designed for this) or Monzo (up to 100 disposable cards per year).
6. Do you want a full UK bank account with FSCS protection? If yes, choose Monzo, Starling, or Chase UK.
7. Do you want the card primarily for online payments and gaming? If yes, Skrill or Getsby.

Prepaid isolation means merchants never touch your main bank account funds because spending is limited to what you loaded onto the card. Industry research projects the prepaid card market will grow at a CAGR of over 15% from 2023 to 2032, reaching USD 8.2 trillion by 2032. This confirms that prepaid is not a niche category; it’s a mainstream payment method that millions of people rely on for control and security.
 

Decision tree: if your top priority is

 
For more on wallet safety, read our explainer on whether Google Pay is safe.

Conclusion

Virtual cards are no longer a niche product. They’re a mainstream tool for shoppers who want control, security, and wallet readiness. The best instant virtual card in the EU and UK is the one that gives you card details immediately, supports Apple Pay and Google Pay out of the box, and offers freeze or disposable controls so you can stop charges with one tap.

Getsby is the most straightforward option for most people: instant prepaid Mastercard, disposable and reloadable options, wallet-ready, and designed for subscription control. If you need multi-currency for travel, Wise is unbeatable. If you want an all-in-one fintech app, Revolut is strong. If you want a full bank account with a deposit guarantee protection, Monzo, Starling, or Chase UK are credible choices.

The key is to complete verification first, top up with a buffer for authorisation holds, add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, and run a test transaction before you rely on it. Follow that sequence and you’ll be spend-ready in under 10 minutes.

Get started: Visit Getsby, create an account, complete verification, and generate your first virtual Mastercard. Add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay in one tap. Use a disposable card for free trials and unknown merchants. Use a reloadable card for ongoing subscriptions. Freeze or dispose of the card whenever you want to stop charges. It’s that simple.