In the summer of 2023, Mastercard wanted to phase out the Maestro function, which is popular with German customers. But now you have probably changed your mind and planned a grace period. The map service could continue beyond 2027.

Mastercard: Grace period for Maestro-Aus

On July 1, 2023, the Maestro function, which is popular in Germany and other European countries, should actually be restricted. New Maestro cards should no longer be put into circulation. At least that’s what the plan from the operator Mastercard looked like. Instead, customers should switch and prefer to use a Mastercard with a debit function.

Now there appears to have been something of a reversal, reports suggest. Accordingly, the Maestro function could even be used in individual cases beyond 2027 to provide. There is talk of an individual extension for changing cards, which the US company seems to have just agreed with banks (source: manager magazine).

However, the Maestro is still a discontinued model. Just because the grace period could be extended means that in the long term it will remain a farewell to the function. But it is also clear that the Maestro-Aus in no way means the end of the conventional Girocard. A separate payment system is used for payments within Germany; the Maestro function is only required abroad.

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Mastercard: Advantage with debit card without Maestro

According to Mastercard, customer needs have changed since the introduction of the Maestro function. With the new debit card without a Maestro, there would be the advantage that with this one too easily paid online can be. According to its own statements, the debit card has 90 million acceptance points worldwide, while Maestro can refer to 15 million.