1. How much do you owe, at what interest and with what payment?
First, write down three figures: what you owe, the TIN and what you pay each month. They’re on your statement and in the information your lender has to send you at least every quarter.
That quarterly information also says when you’d finish paying if you stop using the card and how much you’d pay in total. If you don’t have it, ask for it: your lender has to give you, within five working days and for free, the payments you’ve made, what you owe and an amortisation table.
With those three figures, our calculator or Banco de España’s simulator tells you how many months you have left.
2. How do I stop the debt growing?
Stop using the card’s credit: switch to paying in full or end of month for whatever you buy from now on, switch the card off in the app if you can, or lower the limit.
- Pay in full or end of month. What you buy is paid in full at the end of the month and earns no interest. WiZink and Cetelem offer this on the same card.
- Switch the card off. Some apps let you, such as Cetelem’s or the WiZink Click’s.
- Lower the limit. According to Banco de España, if you want to lower it, your lender won’t object.
- Cancel the card. You can do it at any time, unless you agreed a notice period; Banco de España suggests doing it in writing. Ask first how you’ll pay off what’s left.
- Don’t take out cash. It costs more: in Asufin’s survey, the average APR on cash withdrawals is 27.73%, against 23.34% on purchases.
3. Pay in full or a higher payment?
If you can pay everything you owe, paying in full ends the interest. If not, raise your payment as much as you can: every extra euro goes straight to the debt.
In the example of €2,000 at 18% TIN:
| Payment a month | Months to zero | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| €60 | 47 | €793 |
| €80 | 32 | €526 |
| €100 | 24 | €396 |
| €150 | 15 | €248 |
If your payment is a percentage of what you owe, it falls along with the debt and the time stretches out. In the example, paying 3% of the balance takes 103 months and a fixed €60 payment 47: Minimum payment or fixed instalment explains why.
How to change your payment at WiZink and at Cetelem.
4. How do I make extra payments?
From your lender’s app or website, as an early repayment or a payment into the card. The law lets you repay early, in part or in full, at any time.
The law only allows a fee for early repayment if the payment falls in a period with a fixed rate, and at most 1%, or 0.5% if a year or less remains. WiZink’s fee list has no fee for paying off the revolving balance early, and Cetelem says it charges nothing.
After an extra payment, keep paying your usual amount. That way the extra payment shortens the time instead of lowering next month’s bill.
5. Where do round-ups fit?
They’re a way to make small, steady extra payments without thinking about them. In the example, about €45 of round-ups a month on top of a €60 payment cuts the time from 47 to 23 months.
They have the same effect as raising your payment by the same amount. If you can raise it permanently, do; round-ups help if setting that money aside in one go is hard. Orwanna does this for €2.99 a month: the details, and when it’s worth it, are in Round-ups to pay off debt.
What if I can’t pay more?
If your payment doesn’t even cover the month’s interest, or you can’t keep up with your debts, paying more isn’t the answer. There are three other options, with different benefits and risks.
The guide Pay it off, consolidate or claim? compares them in a table.
Should I consolidate the debt?
Possibly, if you can get a loan at a clearly lower rate than your card without stretching the term much. If you stretch it, the payment falls, but you may end up paying more interest.
According to Banco de España, in August 2026 the average rate on cards was 18.26% and on consumer credit 7.16%, both without fees. When consolidating pays off, with examples.
Can I claim back the interest?
Possibly, if your interest was far above the average when you signed, or the way the card works wasn’t explained to you properly. A judge decides.
The Supreme Court considers a revolving card’s interest “notably higher” if it exceeds Banco de España’s published average by more than 6 points. What the Supreme Court has said on usury and transparency.
What is the Segunda Oportunidad law?
A court process that lets debts you can’t pay be cancelled, if you’re an individual acting in good faith. It has requirements, can cost you assets and doesn’t cancel every debt.
How the Segunda Oportunidad law works.
Where do I get help?
If your lender doesn’t help, complain first to its customer service department. If it doesn’t reply within a month, or 15 working days for a payment service, you can complain to Banco de España.
Consumer associations, like the ones linked below, can also guide you.