Paying for games in the UK
Cards, PayPal, gift cards and prepaid vouchers: what each UK store accepts, how to set spending limits, and what to do when you want a refund.
Methods
Fastest everywhere, and your bank can help if something goes wrong. Paid directly by credit card, single items over £100 get Section 75 cover.
Keeps your card number off the store. Useful if you buy from several platforms.
A fixed amount on one platform. Ideal as a present or as a monthly budget for a child's account.
A prepaid voucher with a 16-digit PIN, bought in shops or online. You pay without card details on the account.
At a glance
The nine stores most UK players use. The full store guide adds four more, with controls and refund rules.
| Store | Debit or credit card | PayPal | Paysafecard | Store gift card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Valve | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PlayStation Store Sony | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Yes |
| Microsoft Store (Xbox) Microsoft | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Yes |
| Nintendo eShop Nintendo | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Yes |
| Epic Games Store Epic Games | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Some accounts |
| Battle.net Blizzard | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Some accounts |
| Riot Games (in client) Riot Games | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| App Store Apple | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Google Play | Yes | Yes | Some accounts | Yes |
AcceptedShown at checkout for some accountsNot offered
The guides
Which UK game stores accept cards, PayPal, Paysafecard and gift cards, with spending controls and refund rules for each.
Guide 02What UK law gives you when you pay for games by debit or credit card: Section 75, chargeback, unauthorised payments, the surcharge ban and costs to watch.
Guide 03How game gift cards and prepaid codes work in the UK, where to buy them, how to redeem them and the scams to avoid.
Guide 04How to set spending limits and purchase approvals on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Epic, iPhone and Android in the UK.
Guide 05Your UK consumer rights on digital games, and the refund rules of Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Epic and the mobile stores.
Guide 06How premium currencies, battle passes and paid random items work across the online games we rate, with a calculator for the real cost of an item.
Our ten games
| Game | How you start | Premium currency | Pass | Paid random items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | One-off purchase | Minecoins (Bedrock Marketplace) | No battle pass | No paid random items |
| Helldivers 2 | One-off purchase | Super Credits (also found in missions) | Warbonds that never expire | No paid random items |
| Final Fantasy XIV | Free trial, then subscription | Subscription; optional Mog Station items | No battle pass | No paid random items |
| Warframe | Free to play | Platinum (tradeable between players) | Nightwave (free) | Random packs: a few packs |
| Fortnite | Free to play | V-Bucks | Seasonal battle pass; Fortnite Crew subscription | No paid random items |
| VALORANT | Free to play | VALORANT Points; Radianite for skin upgrades | Battle pass each act | No paid random items |
| Path of Exile 2 | Paid early access; free from 11 Dec 2026 | Points (shop) | No battle pass | Random packs: check listings |
| Overwatch | Free to play | Overwatch Coins; Mythic Prisms | Seasonal battle pass | No paid random items |
| Marvel Rivals | Free to play | Lattice; Units; Chrono Tokens | Battle passes that never expire | No paid random items |
| Apex Legends | Free to play | Apex Coins; Crafting Metals | Seasonal battle pass | Sells random packs |
Questions
Yes. Steam accepts PayPal, debit and credit cards, Paysafecard and Steam gift cards for UK accounts.
Usually not. Most platforms lock gift cards to the region the account was created in, so buy UK cards for UK accounts.
Both are safe on official stores. A credit card used directly with the store adds Section 75 protection on single items over £100. Paying through PayPal usually removes Section 75, but keeps your card number off the store and has its own buyer protection.
Spent currency usually can't be refunded. Unspent currency sometimes can within a short window, depending on the store. See our refunds guide.