Published: 2026-01-01 | Last updated: 2026-05-20
Your Bank Zero Mastercard debit card works wherever Mastercard is accepted — in South Africa and internationally. This section covers every payment method, from everyday in-store purchases to international ATM withdrawals, QR payments, and online shopping.
In-Store Card Payments (POS)
Tap, swipe, or insert your Bank Zero card at any point-of-sale (POS) terminal that accepts Mastercard. All in-store card payments cost R0.
- Contactless (tap-to-pay / NFC): Hold your card (or Apple Pay-enabled phone) near the card reader. Works on all NFC-enabled terminals.
- Chip and PIN: Insert your card, enter your 4-digit PIN, and confirm. Your PIN was manufactured directly into the chip during card production — there is no default PIN to change.
- Swipe: Use the magnetic stripe at terminals that do not support chip.
Online Card Payments (eCommerce)
Use your Bank Zero card for any online purchase — South African and international — wherever Mastercard is accepted. Online card payments cost R0.
Security feature unique to Bank Zero: Every single online card transaction must be authorised in real-time through the Bank Zero app. When you initiate an online purchase, a push notification appears in the app asking you to approve or decline the transaction. This prevents any online card fraud without your knowledge — even if someone steals your card number, they cannot complete a transaction without access to your phone and the Bank Zero app.
To make an online payment:
- Enter your card number, expiry date, and CVV at checkout.
- Your phone will receive a Bank Zero app push notification.
- Confirm the payment in the app.
- The transaction is approved and processed.
QR Payments (Bank Zero to Bank Zero — Free)
Every Bank Zero cheque account has a unique QR code. You can send or receive money to/from any other Bank Zero account holder by scanning their QR code — at R0 and without sharing any personal details.
To pay via QR:
- Open the Bank Zero app.
- Tap "Pay" > "QR Pay".
- Scan the recipient's Bank Zero QR code.
- Enter the amount and confirm.
To receive via QR:
- Open the Bank Zero app.
- Tap "Receive" > "My QR Code".
- Show your QR code to the payer to scan.
Sending Money via EFT
Send money to any South African bank account (Bank Zero or other banks) via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). EFT payments cost R0.
To send an EFT:
- Tap "Pay" in the app.
- Select "New Beneficiary" or choose a saved contact.
- Enter the recipient's bank name, account number, and branch code (or use their cell number if they are a Bank Zero customer).
- Enter the amount and a payment reference.
- Confirm and authorise the payment.
EFTs to other South African banks typically arrive within 1–2 business days (standard EFT) or in real-time for RTC (Real-Time Clearing) payments.
Sending Money by Cell Number (Bank Zero to Bank Zero)
Payments to other Bank Zero customers can be sent using just their cell phone number — no need for account numbers or branch codes. This is free and instant.
Pay Many (Batch Payments)
For individuals or businesses making multiple payments at once, the Bank Zero app supports Pay Many — a batch payment feature that allows you to send multiple EFTs in a single authorisation. This is particularly useful for business owners paying staff or suppliers.
ATM Cash Withdrawals
Use your Bank Zero card at any ATM displaying the Mastercard logo — including all major South African ATM networks (Absa, FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec, Nedbank) and international ATMs worldwide.
| ATM Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| South Africa (any network) | R9 per R1,000 (or part thereof) |
| International ATMs | R10 per R1,000 block; minimum R50 per withdrawal |
To keep ATM costs low, withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts multiple times.
International Card Payments
Your Bank Zero card works internationally at all Mastercard-accepting merchants and ATMs. A 1% forex mark-up applies to any transaction settled in a foreign currency. The Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) limits international card spend to R50,000 per single transaction and R1 million per calendar year in aggregate.
Prepaid Purchases (Airtime, Data, Electricity)
The Bank Zero app allows you to buy prepaid airtime, mobile data bundles, and prepaid electricity (through the app's prepaid feature). These are paid from your account balance directly — no third-party platform needed.