Prepaid card canceled: leftover balance does not simply expire
When you switch or cancel a prepaid card, there is often still some balance left. Many people believe it is simply gone. That is not true: loaded balance is your money, and clauses that keep it without compensation usually do not hold up.
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Get your balance paid out →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Determine the balance
Note the current balance (screenshot or query) before canceling.
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2. Cancel and demand payout
Cancel the card and demand the payout of the remaining balance (provide your bank details).
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3. Point to the clause
If the provider relies on an expiry clause, point out that it is likely invalid (§ 307 BGB).
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4. Escalate
If the provider stands firm, the consumer advice center or the arbitration body of the Federal Network Agency can help.
Frequently asked questions
Does my prepaid balance expire when I cancel?
As a rule, no. Loaded balance is an advance payment and therefore your money; when the contract ends, you can demand the payout of the remaining balance. Clauses that provide for it to expire without compensation are often invalid because they put you at an unreasonable disadvantage (§ 307 BGB).
May the provider charge a fee for the payout?
An unreasonably high processing or payout fee is generally not permitted, since it would undermine your payout claim. Demand the full payout and, if you meet resistance, refer to the consumer advice center or the arbitration body of the Federal Network Agency.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.