Solaris
Berlin bank with a full German banking licence offering branded debit, prepaid and credit cards on Visa and Mastercard through an API
Quick Overview
| Company | Solaris SE |
|---|---|
| Category | Card Issuing Platforms |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Not specified on the vendor pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Branded debit, prepaid and credit cards, physical, virtual and tokenised cards, multi-currency, Visa and Mastercard, accounts, KYC platform, payments, lending |
| Pricing | Pricing on request |
| Best For | Software and travel brands wanting a German bank behind branded cards |
| Replaces | Marqeta, Stripe Issuing, Lithic |
Detailed Review
Solaris SE, Cuvrystrasse 53 in Berlin, names BaFin and the European Central Bank as supervisory authorities in its imprint. It describes itself as a German technology company with a full banking licence.
Cards are one of several services, next to accounts, identification, payments and consumer lending.
Cards with or without accounts
Solaris says cards can be issued with or without an underlying account, which matches both standalone prepaid use and account-linked debit. Credit cards are offered as charge or revolving products based on credit scoring.
Physical, virtual and tokenised formats are listed, including metal cards.
Two schemes, many currencies
Issuing is on Mastercard and Visa, and the cards support multi-currency spending. Debit cards can include optional overdraft, with balance checks and ATM withdrawals.
Programmes for consumers, freelancers and businesses use different card configurations.
Industry packs
The site groups offers by SaaS, ERP, HR tech, travel, mobility and wealth, and lists cloud accounting software as a typical segment.
A KYC and KYB platform is sold alongside the cards.
Limitations to Consider
Pricing is not published. Solaris is a full bank, which brings capital and supervisory obligations, and ownership is not shown on the pages we read, so ask the vendor if control matters. Onboarding of new partners is a project rather than a self-serve signup. For a lighter e-money route see Swan.
Who Should Use Solaris
Software, travel and mobility brands in Europe that want a bank-licensed issuer in Germany with debit, prepaid and credit options.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Full German banking licence
- Visa and Mastercard
- Credit, debit and prepaid
- Cards with or without an account
- Metal and eco card materials
Cons
- Pricing not published
- Project-style onboarding
- Ownership not shown on the pages checked
- Broad bank scope may be more than a card-only buyer needs
Alternatives to Solaris
Other European card issuing platforms worth comparing before you decide:
Wallester
Estonia · Estonian Visa principal member with white-label IBAN and card issuing
Swan
France · Paris e-money institution embedding accounts and cards via API
Treezor
France · French e-money institution selling cards as a modular service
Enfuce
Finland · Helsinki issuer processor running card programmes per tenant
See all European card issuing platforms or compare them directly against Marqeta on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its site calls it a German technology company with a full banking licence, and the imprint names BaFin and the European Central Bank as supervisors.
Yes, the cards page says cards can be issued with or without an underlying account.
Yes, as charge or revolving cards with limits based on credit scoring.