[contidrift]

On top of all that, most banks here allow you to create an unlimited number of free virtual credit cards which draw funds from your real credit card or a debit account.

Cards can be created to suit most cases such as one-time transactions, monthly subscriptions and "pre-paid" type cards with a defined total which are tied to one merchant. All multiple use cards are valid for a max of 12 months.

[BrandoElFollito]

I am not sure that this is "most", more probably "some".

Out of 6 banks across 2 EU countries, only two allowed for that.

Another one had dynamic CVV.

[contidrift]

Weird, just about every bank here in Portugal allows for that. The virtual "visa" card creation/management is handled through SIBS, the company that does all national card transactions.

I assumed due to convenience and safety that virtual cards were more widespread in Europe, not least because of the requirements such as 3DS for card payments.

At least fintech companies like Revolut and N26 should be available for most Europeans and they offer virtual cards, though with other limitations/costs.

[BrandoElFollito]

Ah, this is interesting - you have a centralized entity that handles the transactions? This is indeed what must be the reason for the widespread of the availability.

In France I know that Fortuneo gives that possibility, but for instance Boursorama or Credit Mutuel do not.

It is funny how the banking is different between countries in the EU. France is slowly making its way though the 90's while Poland uses a phone based transaction system (BLIK). I always saw Portugal as bing very modern in that way (you had chips on your identity cards for years, we just got them this year, with the new credit-card format of id cards)