deebetkaardi

A deebetkaardi, or debit card, is a payment card linked to a bank account that enables the cardholder to access funds for purchases and cash withdrawals. Payments are settled directly from the linked account at the point of sale or online, subject to the available balance and any card limits set by the issuer.

Most deebetkaardid use an EMV chip and a personal identification number (PIN) for in-person transactions, and many also support contactless payments via NFC. Online purchases typically require the card number, expiration date and a card verification value (CVV) or similar authentication, or 3D Secure confirmation.

The card is issued by a bank or financial institution and can be used at merchants that accept debit cards and at ATMs to withdraw cash. Because funds are drawn from the holder’s account, debit cards generally do not involve borrowed money, unlike credit cards, though some banks offer overdraft facilities or linked credit options.

Security features include a PIN, a chip, and CVV for online use; banks provide tools to monitor transactions, freeze or replace a lost or stolen card, and limit or block certain types of transactions.

Regulation comes from national financial authorities and EU-wide rules such as PSD2, which govern authentication for online payments and consumer protections. In everyday use, deebetkaardid are common in Estonia and across Europe, used for in-person purchases, online shopping, and cash withdrawals.