European Business Cards for Digital Advertising: 2026 Guide

Digital advertising spend in Europe demands purpose-built payment infrastructure. Traditional corporate cards create bottlenecks: delayed campaign launches, unclear spend attribution, and manual reconciliation that drains finance team resources. Modern virtual card platforms solve these problems through instant issuance, per-campaign controls, and automated expense tracking. This guide evaluates seven European solutions specifically for advertising teams managing spend across Meta, Google, TikTok, and other platforms.

Why digital advertising needs dedicated payment solutions

Digital advertising puts unique pressure on how payments are structured. Campaigns run in parallel, budgets shift daily, and platforms enforce their own billing rules. When the payment setup isn’t built for this environment, small issues quickly turn into performance, tracking, and cash flow problems.

The attribution problem

Running multiple campaigns across platforms creates expense tracking chaos. When 15 campaigns share one corporate card, connecting spend to ROI becomes guesswork. Virtual cards solve this: one card per campaign means clear attribution in real-time.

Platform payment requirements

Meta Business Manager, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads Manager require valid payment methods with specific features:

• 3D Secure authentication support
• Multi-currency capability for international targeting
• Instant availability (campaigns pause when cards decline)
• High transaction limits for scaling budgets

Cash flow control

Advertising spend fluctuates dramatically. Black Friday campaigns require 10x normal budgets. Virtual cards with adjustable limits prevent overspend while enabling rapid scaling when opportunities emerge.

Further Reading: What Is a Virtual Card – and Why Media Buyers Need One Now

Essential features for advertising cards

Instant issuance – Launch campaigns immediately without waiting for physical card delivery. Virtual cards issue in seconds.

Spending controls – Set daily, weekly, or campaign-total limits. Block specific merchant categories. Restrict geographical usage.

Multi-currency support – Run campaigns in EUR, GBP, USD, and other currencies without conversion fees eating into budgets.

Platform compatibility – Verified acceptance on Meta Ads, Google Ads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Pinterest, Snapchat, and programmatic platforms.

Real-time expense tracking – Transaction notifications appear instantly. Export data to Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, or via API.

Team access controls – Issue cards to freelancers, agencies, or team members with specific permissions and limits.

Top 7 European solutions for advertising spend

1. Wallester virtual cards

Best for: Media buying agencies managing high-volume campaigns across multiple clients

Core offering: Wallester specialises in advertising spend with unlimited virtual card issuance and instant activation. Visa Principal Member operating throughout the EEA and UK.

Pricing:

• First 300 virtual cards: Free
• 3,000 cards package: €0.20/card/month
• 15,000 cards package: €0.10/card/month
• Physical cards: Free
• No monthly platform fee
• Unlimited users included

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Unlimited (300 free, then paid tiers)
• Physical cards: Unlimited, free
• Currencies: 10 supported (EUR, GBP, USD, BGN, RON, DKK, PLN, and others)
• Issuance speed: Instant for virtual, 5-7 days for physical
• Platform support: All major ad platforms including Meta, Google, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn
• Integration: REST API, Xero, QuickBooks, SAP via CSV export
• 3DS controls: Merchant whitelisting available
• BIN sponsorship: Optimised for social media ad platforms

Advantages:

• Genuinely unlimited virtual card creation after initial free tier
• No per-user fees (critical for agencies with many team members)
• Instant virtual card issuance enables immediate campaign launch
• Strong multi-currency support across 10 currencies
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Designed specifically for media buying workflows
• Visa Principal Member status guarantees high acceptance rates

Limitations:

• Only first 300 virtual cards are free; costs scale with card volume
• Limited traditional banking features (focused on cards, not full business banking)

2. Payhawk

Best for: Mid-size to enterprise companies requiring comprehensive spend management beyond advertising

Core offering: Payhawk combines corporate cards with AP automation, travel booking, and procurement tools. The platform processes expenses across 32 countries with operations in London, Berlin, and New York.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on:

• Selected plan (Expense Management, AP Automation, Procurement)
• Number of admin/accountant seats
• Card volume
• Transaction volume range: €7,000-€24,000 annually for SMBs

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Unlimited creation
• Physical cards: Unlimited Visa cards
• Currencies: 7 local accounts (GBP, EUR, USD, BGN, RON, DKK, PLN)
• Platform support: All major ad platforms accepted
• Integration: Native with NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Sage Intacct, Xero, plus 40+ HRIS tools
• FX fees: Lowest in industry (competitive with banks)
• Acceptance: 46 million merchants globally

Advantages:

• Comprehensive all-in-one platform (cards + AP + procurement)
• AI-powered automation
• Superior accounting integrations with major ERP systems
• Real-time expense tracking with OCR receipt capture
• Multi-entity support for complex organisational structures
• Carbon emission tracking (Scope 3) for ESG reporting

Limitations:

• Higher cost structure compared to card-only solutions
• Complex feature set may be overkill for advertising-only needs
• Custom pricing requires sales contact (no transparent online pricing)
• Tiered plans restrict features to higher-cost tiers

3. Spendesk

Best for: French and Southern European companies prioritising procurement integration

Core offering: As the first European platform integrating procurement and spend management, Spendesk serves companies with up to 1,000 employees.

Pricing: Transaction-based pricing model:

• Variable fees based on transaction count (cards, invoices, reimbursements)
• No per-user fees
• Average cost: €7,600 annually for SMBs
• Monthly or annual contracts available
• Cards free (no monthly card fees)

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Unlimited
• Physical cards: Unlimited prepaid Visa cards
• Currencies: Multi-currency support (primary EUR, GBP, USD)
• Platform support: Meta, Google, TikTok, and major platforms
• Integration: Native with Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, DATEV, SAP Concur
• FX fees: 2.99% on foreign transactions

Advantages:

• AI-powered receipt validation and invoice processing
• No per-user fees (add unlimited team members)
• Flexible approval workflows with multi-condition rules
• Free card issuance with no monthly card fees
• Strong in French and Southern European markets
• Apple Pay and Google Pay support

Limitations:

• Higher FX fees (2.99%) compared to competitors like Payhawk (1.99%)
• Prepaid card model requires prefunding (less flexible than credit)
• Some users report card acceptance issues at certain merchants
• Transaction-based pricing can become expensive at high volumes
• Limited advanced reporting compared to alternatives

Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Payment Cards for Media Buyers: Stop Card Rejections and Take Control of Ad Spend

4. Pleo

Best for: Small to mid-size companies across Northern Europe seeking simplicity

Core offering: Danish fintech serving businesses across 14 European countries with focus on user-friendly expense management. Over 40,000 customers use Pleo for company spending.

Pricing:

• Starter: Free (up to 3 users, 1 card)
• Essential: £45/month or £39/month annual (includes more cards and features)
• Advanced: £99/month or £89/month annual (adds cashback, custom workflows)
• Extra user fees: Up to £17.50/month per additional user
• Physical card replacement: £5-£10 depending on plan

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Up to 200 per team member, no cost
• Physical cards: Multiple prepaid Mastercards per user
• Currencies: Multi-currency with automatic conversion
• Platform support: Widely accepted on major ad platforms
• Integration: Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, NetSuite, Visma, Billy
• FX fees: 1.99% (Essential/Advanced) or 2.49% (Starter)
• ATM withdrawals: Free on paid plans, £5 on Starter

Advantages:

• Free tier available (rare among European providers)
• Extremely intuitive mobile app with instant notifications
• Cashback on spending (0.5%-0.75% depending on plan)
• OCR receipt scanning with auto-matching
• Real-time expense tracking visible to all stakeholders
• Available in 14 European countries
• Easy onboarding (minutes to set up cards)

Limitations:

• Per-user pricing becomes expensive with larger teams
• Limited customisation for complex spending policies
• No support for UK sole traders (limited companies only)
• Higher FX fees on Starter plan (2.49%)

5. Soldo

Best for: UK and Italian businesses requiring multi-wallet budget structures

Core offering: Soldo manages expenses for 25,000+ organisations across 31 countries. Launched in 2016 with UK headquarters, the platform specialises in prepaid expense management with strong multi-currency features.

Pricing: Tiered plans (verify with vendor):

• Lite: Free (1 card, basic features)
• Standard: Paid tier (up to 20 cards)
• Premium: Advanced controls and reporting
• Enterprise: Dedicated support 
• No monthly fees on first virtual card for 12 months; standard monthly fees apply after

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Unlimited with multi-wallet structure
• Physical cards: Unlimited prepaid Mastercards
• Currencies: Multi-currency wallets and transactions
• Platform support: Major platforms, though some report acceptance issues
• Integration: Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, NetSuite, SAP Concur, Expensify, Dext
• FX fees: 2% on foreign transactions
• Fuel cards: Specialised cards for fuel, charging stations, parking

Advantages:

• Unique multi-wallet system (separate budgets per team/project/department)
• Unlimited card issuance with granular controls
• Strong multi-currency functionality saves FX costs
• Instant card freezing and management
• 24/7 phone support availability
• Fuel card specialty useful for field teams
• Real-time transaction visibility

Limitations:

• Interface described as less intuitive compared to Pleo/Spendesk
• Virtual cards rejected by some platforms (identified as prepaid)
• Limited customisation options compared to competitors
• Per-user pricing can escalate with team size
• Pricing structure unclear (outdated public information)

6. Revolut Business

Best for: SMEs and freelancers needing multi-currency accounts with integrated cards

Core offering: Revolut Business offers digital-first banking with corporate cards as part of a broader financial platform.

Pricing:

• Starter: £0/month (basic features, 3 cards, limited transactions)
• Grow: £10/month (enhanced limits, 1 free metal card)
• Scale: Custom pricing (2+ free metal cards, advanced features)
• Titan (launching early 2026): £65+VAT per user/month (premium with perks)
• Additional card delivery: £4.99+ for standard shipping
• Virtual cards: Up to 200 per team member, free

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Up to 200 per user at no cost
• Physical cards: Multiple Visa cards
• Currencies: 30+ currencies with interbank rate during market hours
• Platform support: Broad acceptance on ad platforms
• Integration: Xero, accounting tools via API
• FX fees: Competitive (interbank rate), weekend fees may apply
• RevPoints: Loyalty program at 1:1 rate (Titan card)

Advantages:

• Strong multi-currency support (30+ currencies)
• Competitive FX rates (interbank during market hours)
• Integrated business banking (not just cards)
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay support
• Real-time transaction notifications and controls
• Upcoming Titan card adds premium travel benefits
• Low entry cost (£0-£10/month for basic plans)

Limitations:

• Transaction limits on lower tiers restrict scaling
• Customer support widely criticised (slow, unhelpful responses)
• Account freezes without warning reported by users
• Weekend FX fees apply outside market hours
• Limited features compared to dedicated expense platforms
• SWIFT payments slower than alternatives (1-3 days)
• Revolut uses tiered transaction allowances (fees beyond limits)

7. Stripe Issuing (via partners)

Best for: Tech-savvy companies building custom card programs with developer resources

Core offering: Stripe Issuing provides API infrastructure for businesses to create their own card programs. Available across EEA, UK, and 20+ European countries since 2021. Not a direct-to-business solution but a platform for building custom issuing programs.

Pricing:

• No setup fees
• Fees based on card creation and transaction volume
• Virtual cards: Instant issuance
• Physical cards: 2-day shipping in Europe
• Interchange revenue sharing available at scale
• Custom pricing based on volume

Key specifications:

• Virtual cards: Instant programmable creation
• Physical cards: Customisable design, 2-day European shipping
• Currencies: Multi-currency support
• Platform support: Programmable authorisation (approve/decline any merchant)
• Integration: Full API access, build own dashboard
• Control: Real-time transaction authorisation, custom spending rules
• Availability: 20 European countries plus UK

Advantages:

• Complete control via API (build exactly what you need)
• Real-time transaction authorisation (approve/decline on-the-fly)
• Custom card design with company branding
• Instant virtual card creation
• Advanced spending rules and merchant blocking
• Interchange revenue sharing at volume
• Integration with existing Stripe payment infrastructure
• 2-day physical card delivery in Europe

Limitations:

• Requires significant technical resources (developer-focused)
• Not a turnkey solution (must build own dashboard/interface)
• Best for larger companies or fintechs building card products
• Steeper learning curve than ready-made solutions
• Must manage compliance and card program operations
• Minimum technical expertise required for implementation
• Not suitable for non-technical marketing teams

Further Reading: What Are the Best Virtual Cards for Ad Spend?

Selection framework

Step 1: Assess your advertising spend profile

• High-volume agencies (100+ campaigns): Wallester’s unlimited cards at low per-card cost
• Mid-size with varied spending: Payhawk’s comprehensive controls or Spendesk’s procurement integration
• Small teams (under 20 people): Pleo’s free tier or Revolut Business Starter
• Technical teams building custom: Stripe Issuing for full control

Step 2: Calculate true cost

Don’t focus only on monthly fees. Calculate:

• Per-card costs at your volume
• Per-user fees × team size
• FX fees on international campaigns
• Transaction fees if applicable Example: Pleo at £45/month + £17.50 per extra user = expensive for 15-person team vs. Wallester’s unlimited users.

Step 3: Platform acceptance requirements

If running heavy Meta/Google/TikTok spend:

• Verify 3D Secure support
• Confirm the provider isn’t flagged as “prepaid” (can cause rejection)
• Check if BIN is whitelisted on your platforms
• Test with small transaction before committing

Step 4: Integration needs

Match accounting software:

• Xero users: All providers integrate well
• NetSuite/SAP users: Payhawk or Spendesk offer deeper integration
• Custom systems: Look for robust API (Wallester, Stripe Issuing)

Step 5: Geographic coverage

• Multi-country European teams: Revolut or Payhawk for broad currency support
• UK-focused: Soldo, Pleo, or Revolut Business
• EU-wide operations: Wallester or Spendesk
• Beyond Europe: Check provider’s supported countries

Further Reading: How to Control Rising Advertising Costs as an Online Retailer

Implementation checklist

Before signing:

1. Test card on primary ad platform with small transaction
2. Verify FX fees for your currency mix
3. Calculate total cost at your scale (users × cards × transactions)
4. Confirm accounting integration works with your software
5. Check customer support hours and channels

First week:

1. Set up company account and complete KYC
2. Issue 2-3 cards to test users
3. Configure spending limits and rules
4. Connect accounting software integration
5. Run test campaigns with virtual cards

First month:

1. Roll out to full team based on test results
2. Establish approval workflows
3. Set up automated reports and exports
4. Train team on receipt capture and expense submission
5. Review and optimise spending controls

Ongoing:

1. Monthly reconciliation review
2. Adjust limits based on campaign performance
3. Audit unused/dormant cards
4. Track FX costs and optimise currency usage
5. Quarterly vendor review (are you getting value?)