Ordering FAQs
Q: What is the Small Benefit Scheme?
A tax relief scheme allowing employers to give up to €1,500 (as of 2025) annually in non-cash rewards to employees.
Q: What are the rules of the Small Benefit Scheme?
To qualify for the Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, the following rules apply:
The total value of rewards cannot exceed €1,500 per employee per year (from 1 January 2025).
-A maximum of 5 rewards can be given per year.
-Rewards must not be paid in cash or through payroll.
-Salary sacrifice arrangements are not permitted.
Only non-cash, non-payroll benefits like gift cards qualify under the scheme.
Q: Are your cards eligible under the Small Benefit Scheme?
Yes, SWIRL Gift Cards qualify under Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption Scheme for tax-free employee bonuses.
Q: Who can buy a SWIRL Mastercard Gift Card?
SWIRL Mastercard Gift Cards are available to registered businesses and organisations in Ireland. Private individuals cannot purchase these cards. All orders are subject to verification checks, which must be passed before the order is accepted.
Q: How can I place an order
You can order by paying via IBAN bank transfer or credit/debit card.
With IBAN, you’ll receive an invoice and our banking details to complete the payment.
With card payments, your payment will be processed instantly online.
Once payment is received, your cards are dispatched within 3-5 days. Cards are loaded after delivery is confirmed via a secure link sent to your email.
Q: Do I get access to a portal or dashboard to manage orders?
We do not currently offer a client portal, but our team provides dedicated support throughout the order and delivery process.
Q: Can we choose the amount to load onto each card?
Yes, cards can be loaded with set amounts from €15 to €1,500. Please see our order form for the full breakdown of values available.
Q: Is there a minimum or maximum number of cards per order?
There is no minimum order quantity when placing an orders. For orders with 1000+ cards please contact our sales team (sales@swirlcard.com)
Q: Are your gift cards available in other currencies?
No, our gift cards are only available in Euro.
Q: Do you offer credit terms?
No, full payment is required before cards are dispatched.
Q: Do you offer a digital gift card?
Not at this time, but it’s something we’re working toward.
Q: Can we send supplier setup forms?
Please email any supplier setup forms to our sales team at sales@swirlcard.com
Q: I haven’t received my invoice — what should I do?
Invoices are issued once our team has completed the necessary compliance checks. Please check your spam or junk folders. If you haven’t received your invoice within 2–3 hours of placing your order, contact our sales team at sales@swirlcard.com for assistance.
Q: Why is your IBAN German / Who do you bank with?
We use Banking Circle, a German-regulated financial institution and partner of our card issuer, EML Money DAC.
Q: Can I cancel or amend my order after payment?
Once payment is received and cards are dispatched, changes may not be possible. Please contact our team immediately if you need to make an update.
Q: Can the card be customised?
Cards cannot be personalised. However, we may be able to personalise the attached letter & Instructions with a message from your company. Please contact us directly for more information on this.
Q: Can you send gift cards directly to employees?
Yes, we can send cards directly. Just provide a name and address list (preferably in Excel). A postage charge of €1.50 per card typically applies.
Q: Can you send cards to employees outside Ireland?
No, cardholders must reside in the Republic of Ireland to register a card.
Q: How long after payment will the cards be dispatched?
Typically within 3-5 business days of receiving payment. Lead times may vary during peak busy periods.
Q: Can I track my delivery?
Yes, your dispatch confirmation email will include tracking details depending on your delivery method.
Q: I have not received my order – what should I do?
Orders are typically delivered within 3–5 working days, though delays can occur during peak periods due to courier demand. If your order hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe, please contact our support team at sales@swirlcard.com and we’ll be happy to assist.
Q: What are the costs for the employer?
A card cost of €4.99 each and a handling fee of 1.95% of the total load value apply when paying by debit/credit card. Please see our pricing matrix below for Bank Transfer Orders
Q: Why do employers pay a fee?
Fees cover card production, administration, and postage. Unlike other providers, we don’t receive a percentage of the spend back from merchants.Q: Is there an annual or maintenance fee?
The card is completely free of fees for the first 12 months after it has been loaded. After this period, a monthly fee of €3.50 will apply — but only if there is still a balance remaining on the card.Q: Where can gift cards be used?
Our gift card is a MasterCard and can be used in over 45 million locations worldwide both in store and online. To use in store, you simply swipe the card and sign a recipient there is no chip and pin with our gift card. *While the card can be used at any location accepting of MasterCard, it is up to the individual store if they can accept the form of payment.
Q: Can card usage be restricted to certain stores?
No, cards are universally accepted wherever Mastercard is, but merchant acceptance varies.
Q: How is the card used in stores?
Our gift card is swipe-and-sign (no chip and pin or contactless). It’s used like a traditional in-store gift card.
Q: Are there limits on how the card can be spent?
No, the full balance is available to spend without restrictions or transaction fees.
Q: Can the card be used to withdraw cash?
No, gift cards cannot be used at ATMs.
Q: Can the cards be reloaded?
No, each gift card can only be topped up once.
Q: Is the gift card compatible with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Not currently, but we are working to offer this feature in future.
Q: My employees can’t activate their cards — it says funds haven’t been loaded. What should I do?
Cards are not loaded while in transit. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a secure link to confirm delivery. Funds will only be loaded after this confirmation is received. Please ensure cards are not distributed to employees until we confirm that the funds are active.
Q: Do cards require activation before use?
Yes, each card must be activated by the recipient before it can be used.
Q: Why is card registration required?
To comply with Mastercard regulations, each card must be linked to an individual to ensure secure usage both online and in-store.
Q: Can cards be activated in bulk?
No, for security reasons, each recipient must activate their own card.
Q: Where can I view your Terms & Conditions?
They are available here. We can also provide a PDF copy upon request.
Q: What happens if a card is lost or stolen?
If the card is registered, we can block it and reissue a new card with the remaining balance.
Q: Can you provide testimonials or references?
Yes, we can share our Corporate Gift brochure with testimonials. We do not share client contact details.
Q: Who can staff contact if there’s an issue?
We offer an Irish-based helpdesk, live chat, and email support for any card-related issues.
Q: We saw negative reviews online — should we be concerned?
Most of the reviews are in relation to our reloadable card which is a slightly more complex product. Our corporate gift service is fully supported by a dedicated Irish team should any issues arise.
Small Benefit Exemption Scheme
Q: What is the Small Benefit Scheme?
A tax relief scheme allowing employers to give up to €1,500 (as of 2025) annually in non-cash rewards to employees.
Q: What are the rules of the Small Benefit Scheme?
To qualify for the Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, the following rules apply:
The total value of rewards cannot exceed €1,500 per employee per year (from 1 January 2025).
-A maximum of 5 rewards can be given per year.
-Rewards must not be paid in cash or through payroll.
-Salary sacrifice arrangements are not permitted.
Only non-cash, non-payroll benefits like gift cards qualify under the scheme.
Q: Are your cards eligible under the Small Benefit Scheme?
Yes, SWIRL Gift Cards qualify under Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption Scheme for tax-free employee bonuses.
Ordering & Payment
Q: Who can buy a SWIRL Mastercard Gift Card?
SWIRL Mastercard Gift Cards are available to registered businesses and organisations in Ireland. Private individuals cannot purchase these cards. All orders are subject to verification checks, which must be passed before the order is accepted.Q: How can I place an order
You can order by paying via IBAN bank transfer or credit/debit card. With IBAN, you’ll receive an invoice and our banking details to complete the payment. With card payments, your payment will be processed instantly online. Once payment is received, your cards are dispatched within 3-5 days. Cards are loaded after delivery is confirmed via a secure link sent to your email.Watch this quick and easy video guide to learn how to place your order using IBAN payment.
Watch Video
Watch this quick and easy video guide to learn how to place your order using Debit/Credit Card payment.
Watch Video
Q: Do I get access to a portal or dashboard to manage orders?
We do not currently offer a client portal, but our team provides dedicated support throughout the order and delivery process.Q: Can we choose the amount to load onto each card?
Yes, cards can be loaded with set amounts from €15 to €1,500. Please see our order form for the full breakdown of values available.Q: Is there a minimum or maximum number of cards per order?
There is no minimum order quantity when placing an orders. For orders with 1000+ cards please contact our sales team (sales@swirlcard.com)Q: Why am I being asked for additional information to process my order?
Every order is subject to Know Your Business (KYB) checks to comply with regulatory requirements. While our team makes every effort to complete these checks using publicly available information, we may occasionally need to request further details from you or your business to finalise the verification process. This ensures we can process your order securely and in line with our compliance obligations.Q: Are your gift cards available in other currencies?
No, our gift cards are only available in Euro.Q: Do you offer credit terms?
No, full payment is required before cards are dispatched.Q: Do you offer a digital gift card?
Not at this time, but it’s something we’re working toward.Q: Can we send supplier setup forms?
Please email any supplier setup forms to our sales team at sales@swirlcard.comQ: I haven’t received my invoice — what should I do?
Invoices are issued once our team has completed the necessary compliance checks. Please check your spam or junk folders. If you haven’t received your invoice within 2–3 hours of placing your order, contact our sales team at sales@swirlcard.com for assistance.Q: Why is your IBAN German / Who do you bank with?
We use Banking Circle, a German-regulated financial institution and partner of our card issuer, EML Money DAC.Q: Can I cancel or amend my order after payment?
Once payment is received and cards are dispatched, changes may not be possible. Please contact our team immediately if you need to make an update.Q: Can the card be customised?
Cards cannot be personalised. However, we may be able to personalise the attached letter & Instructions with a message from your company. Please contact us directly for more information on this.Order Fulfilment & Delivery
Q: Can you send gift cards directly to employees?
Yes, we can send cards directly. Just provide a name and address list (preferably in Excel). A postage charge of €1.50 per card typically applies.
Q: Can you send cards to employees outside Ireland?
No, cardholders must reside in the Republic of Ireland to register a card.
Q: How long after payment will the cards be dispatched?
Typically within 3-5 business days of receiving payment. Lead times may vary during peak busy periods.
Q: Can I track my delivery?
Yes, your dispatch confirmation email will include tracking details depending on your delivery method.
Q: I have not received my order yet what should I do?
Orders are typically delivered within 3–5 working days, though delays can occur during peak periods due to courier demand. If your order hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe, please contact our support team at sales@swirlcard.com and we’ll be happy to assist.
Costs and Fees
Q: What are the costs for the employer?
A card cost of €4.99 each and a handling fee of 1.95% of the total load value apply when paying by debit/credit card. Please see our pricing matrix below for Bank Transfer Orders
*Subject to Fair Usage. Please see T&Cs for details.
Q: Why do employers pay a fee?
Fees cover card production, administration, and postage. Unlike other providers, we don’t receive a percentage of the spend back from merchants.
Q: Is there an annual or maintenance fee?
The card is completely free of fees for the first 12 months after it has been loaded. After this period, a monthly fee of €3.50 will apply — but only if there is still a balance remaining on the card.
What Happens After You Receive Your Order
Q: My SWIRL Gift Cards arrived but show no funds. Why aren’t they preloaded?
For security reasons, SWIRL Gift Cards are not loaded during transit. This protects both you and your recipients in case the cards are lost or stolen before delivery.
Q: How do I load funds onto my SWIRL Gift Cards?
Once your order has been processed and shipped, you will receive a dispatch email containing your tracking information and a link to confirm delivery. After your order has been successfully delivered, click the “Confirm Receipt of Gift Card Order” button in that email. This will notify us that your order has arrived safely, and we will then proceed to load the funds onto your cards.
Q: What happens when I confirm delivery?
- Orders confirmed before 3:30 pm will be loaded by the end of the same day.
- Orders confirmed after 3:30 pm will be loaded by 10:00 am the following morning.
Q: I cannot locate the dispatch email, what can I do?
If you cannot find the dispatch email containing your confirmation link, please contact our support team for assistance. Having your order details (such as order reference number, company name, and date of purchase) ready will help us quickly locate your order and resolve the issue.
Employee Account Creation & Gift Card Activation
Q: How do I create an account?
1. Download the Swirl Card app from the App Store or Google Play. 2. Enter your mobile number and verify it using the one-time code sent via SMS. 3. Provide your personal details (name, address, date of birth)—using your own information. 4. Your account will be created automatically upon submission. 5. You’ll then be prompted to add your card—you can add it immediately or come back later.Follow our short video guide to create your SWIRL Card account quickly and easily.
Watch Video
Q: I’m not receiving the verification code—why?
- Check your mobile coverage: Ensure you have sufficient signal to receive SMS messages.
- Verify with your mobile provider: Messages from short codes may be blocked or filtered—check if they are permitted.
- Still no code?
- Wait a few minutes as SMS can sometimes be delayed.
- If the issue persists, contact our support team for manual assistance or press resend code to try again.
Q: How do I activate my Gift Card?
- Open the Swirl app and sign in—or complete account setup first.
- Tap the Cards tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap “Add Your Card” and enter: Your 13-digit customer number (bottom right of the card) Your 6-digit Card ID (top left of the card)
- The card activates instantly once entered.
- Please sign the back of the card before using it in-store.
Watch Video
Q: I’m getting an error during activation—what does it mean?
- “Not Found: Your Swirl Card must be topped up…” – Your card hasn’t been funded yet. We only load cards once the ordering party confirms receipt. Please contact them to request confirmation.
- “Not Found: The Customer Number you entered is invalid.” – The 13-digit customer number wasn’t recognised. Double-check the number printed on the bottom right of your card.
- “Not Found: The Customer Number or Security Code/Card ID is invalid.” – Either the Customer Number or Card ID (or both) were entered incorrectly. Ensure: Customer Number = 13 digits (bottom right); Card ID = 6 digits (top left).
Q: Can I register multiple Swirl Gift Cards to my account?
Yes. You can register multiple cards, but you may only activate Gift Cards totaling a maximum value of €3,500 per account annually. Activate your replacement card the same way as a new card — online or via the app. If you need help, contact our support team.Q: Do cards need to be activated before they can be used?
Yes, all SWIRL Gift Cards must be activated before making purchases.Q: Is there an age restriction when activating an SWIRL Gift Card?
Yes, cardholders must be 16 years or older to activate a card.Using the Card
Q: Where can gift cards be used?
Our gift card is a MasterCard and can be used in over 45 million locations worldwide both in store and online. To use in store, you simply swipe the card and sign a recipient there is no chip and pin with our gift card. *While the card can be used at any location accepting of MasterCard, it is up to the individual store if they can accept the form of payment.
Q: Can card usage be restricted to certain stores?
No, cards are universally accepted wherever Mastercard is, but merchant acceptance varies.
Q: How is the card used in stores?
Our gift card is swipe-and-sign (no chip and pin or contactless). It’s used like a traditional in-store gift card.
Q: Are there limits on how the card can be spent?
No, the full balance is available to spend without restrictions or transaction fees.
Q: Can the card be used to withdraw cash?
No, gift cards cannot be used at ATMs.
Q: Can the cards be reloaded?
No, each gift card can only be topped up once.
Q: Is the gift card compatible with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Not currently, but we are working to offer this feature in future.
Q: My employees can’t activate their cards — it says funds haven’t been loaded. What should I do?
Cards are not loaded while in transit. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a secure link to confirm delivery. Funds will only be loaded after this confirmation is received. Please ensure cards are not distributed to employees until we confirm that the funds are active.
Q: Do cards require activation before use?
Yes, each card must be activated by the recipient before it can be used.
Q: Why is card registration required?
To comply with Mastercard regulations, each card must be linked to an individual to ensure secure usage both online and in-store.
Q: Can cards be activated in bulk?
No, for security reasons, each recipient must activate their own card.
Support & Concerns
Q: Where can I view your Terms & Conditions?
They are available here. We can also provide a PDF copy upon request.
Q: What happens if a card is lost or stolen?
If the card is registered, we can block it and reissue a new card with the remaining balance.
Q: Can you provide testimonials or references?
Yes, we can share our Corporate Gift brochure with testimonials. We do not share client contact details.
Q: Who can staff contact if there’s an issue?
We offer an Irish-based helpdesk, live chat, and email support for any card-related issues.
