GGift Card Trading

Does Italy Have Gift Cards? 7 Popular Italian Gift Cards Nigerians Should Know

Popular Italian gift card
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Walk into almost any electronics shop, bookshop, or large supermarket in Italy, and you’ll see a rack of gift cards around. Italians call them carte regalo (or simply “gift card”), and they’re one of the most common presents in the country. Popular Italian gift cards range from global brands like Apple and Amazon to homegrown names like MediaWorld and laFeltrinelli, and nearly all of them are priced in euros.

For Nigerians, Italian cards usually arrive in one of two ways. A relative or friend living in Italy sends one as a present, or a client in Italy pays for work with one. Either way, the card was made for someone shopping in Italy, so it doesn’t always behave the way you’d expect at home. Below, we look at seven popular cards, what they buy, and what your options are when you’re holding one in Nigeria.

Short answer

Yes. Italy has a well-developed gift card market. The seven Italian gift cards covered here are Apple, Amazon.it, Steam, PlayStation, MediaWorld, La Feltrinelli, and Zalando. Each is sold in euros. Global digital cards (Apple, Amazon.it, Steam) have the best chance of finding a buyer in Nigeria, while Italian store cards like MediaWorld and laFeltrinelli are best spent in Italy.

What to know before you read on

  • Every card on this list is priced in euros. Its naira value rises and falls with the euro.
  • “Italian” usually means “Italy only.” The Amazon card works on amazon.it, the Apple card works for Apple purchases in Italy, and the PlayStation card needs an account registered in Italy.
  • Expiry ranges from 12 months to 10 years. MediaWorld cards last a year, while Amazon.it cards last a decade.
  • An unused code is the only thing you can sell. Adding the card to an account uses it up.

Why an Italian card may not work on your account

When a brand sells a gift card in Italy, it builds the card for its Italian store. Prices there include Italian VAT, and the films, apps, and games on sale can differ from what’s offered in Nigeria. So the brand limits the card to that store.

You’ll usually see this limit in one of two forms. Sometimes it’s the website: an Amazon.it card is accepted on amazon.it and rejected everywhere else. Sometimes it’s the account: the terms printed on Italian PlayStation cards say they can only be redeemed on a PlayStation Network account registered in Italy.

If you’ve tried a card and seen an error like “this code can’t be redeemed in your country,” that’s the reason. The card is fine. It’s just in the wrong place.

7 popular Italian gift cards

Here are seven popular Italian gift cards; 

  1. Apple gift card (Italy)

Apple has several of its own stores in Italy, and its gift cards are sold both there and through authorized resellers. An Italian Apple card covers the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud+, Apple TV+, and hardware from Apple’s Italian online store.

Resellers sell it at €15, €25, €50, and €100, plus custom amounts. The terms limit it to Apple transactions in Italy.

This is the Italian card you’re most likely to be able to sell. Apple cards are a staple of Nigeria’s gift card trade, although buyers price each region separately. Start with the sell Apple iTunes gift card page to see whether the Italian version is listed.

  1. Amazon.it gift card

Italian shoppers use amazon.it for almost everything, and an Amazon.it card is a safe present when you don’t know what someone wants. Resellers offer it at €10, €25, €50, and €100, and their terms give it 10 years of validity from purchase.

The thing to watch is the store name. Amazon runs a separate site for each country, and the card only works on the one it was issued for. If you ever trade one, describe it as an Amazon.it or Amazon Italy card, not just “Amazon.” Platforms often list each Amazon store separately, and the Ridima Amazon gift card page shows which ones are available.

  1. Steam gift card (EUR)

PC gaming is big in Italy, and Steam is where most of those games are bought. Euro Steam cards add funds to a Steam Wallet.

For Nigerian traders, the useful thing to understand is that Steam cards come in several currencies, and each currency usually has its own rate. A €20 card isn’t automatically worth the same as a $20 card, even after you convert the face value. Before you agree to anything, compare what the rate calculator shows for euro and dollar versions, and check the Ridima Steam gift card page.

  1. PlayStation Store gift card (Italy)

Italian PlayStation cards top up a PlayStation Network wallet for games, add-ons, and PlayStation Plus. Resellers sell them from €10 upwards, and one reseller’s terms say they stay valid for 10 years.

This card has the strictest rules on the list. The terms say it can only be redeemed by someone aged 18 or over, on a PlayStation Network account registered in Italy. If nobody you know has an Italian PSN account, check whether any trading platform lists Italian PlayStation cards before you count on its value.

  1. MediaWorld gift card

MediaWorld is one of Italy’s biggest electronics retailers, with around 130 stores across the country and an online shop. Its gift card is a popular choice for birthdays and graduations because it covers phones, laptops, TVs, games, and home appliances.

Gift card sellers list MediaWorld cards at €10, €20, €25, €50, and €100. The card works both in-store and online, and you can combine several cards for a bigger purchase. It’s valid for 12 months, so it shouldn’t sit in a drawer for long.

Nigerian trading platforms rarely buy MediaWorld cards. If one comes your way, the realistic options are to spend it on an Italian visit or to pass it to someone who lives in Italy.

  1. laFeltrinelli gift card

laFeltrinelli is Italy’s best-known bookshop chain, and it also sells music, films, games, and stationery. According to laFeltrinelli’s own FAQ, its gift cards range from €5 to €500. You can spend them in any Feltrinelli bookshop or online at lafeltrinelli.it. You can also personalise a digital card and schedule it to arrive on a set date.

There are a few exclusions. You can’t use the card for other gift cards, photo printing, or items sold by marketplace sellers on the website. Feltrinelli also won’t refund or replace a card that expires unused, so check the expiry date when you receive one. Like MediaWorld, this is a card to use in Italy rather than one to sell.

  1. Zalando gift card (Italy)

Zalando is a large European online fashion store, and Italians use it for clothes, shoes, and accessories from hundreds of brands. Resellers sell Italian Zalando cards at €5, €10, €25, €50, and €100, and one reseller’s terms say the code lasts five years and only works in the region it was bought for.

That long validity is helpful. If you have family in Italy, you can send the card on to them without worrying about it expiring soon.

Selling an Italian card: what to check first

The first thing to check is whether the card is still unused. If anyone has added it to an account, there’s nothing left to sell. To check a balance, use the brand’s official website, not a stranger’s “checker” link.

Next, confirm the card really is Italian. Look for “IT,” “Italia,” or “Amazon.it” on the card or in the email. A German or Spanish euro card is a different product, and quoting the wrong one can get a trade rejected.

Then check whether your chosen platform buys that card in euros. Many platforms only list US dollar versions of some brands. On Ridima, open the gift card rate calculator and look for the brand and region. It will also show you the naira value for the day. If you’re wondering why two cards with the same face value pay differently, we cover that in do gift cards have varying rates?

Finally, be careful who you deal with. People offering “fast cash” on social media sometimes ask for the code first and then disappear. A code is as good as cash, so only share it through a platform that verifies the card and pays you.

Steps to sell on Ridima

Follow the steps below if you want to sell on Ridima; 

  1. Install the Ridima app from this download link, or register on the web.
  2. In the rate calculator, find your card’s brand and region and note the naira value.
  3. Open sell gift cards, choose the card and region, enter the amount, and upload the e-code or a sharp photo of the physical card.
  4. When verification is complete, move the naira to your bank account.

Stuck on a step? The Ridima FAQ page covers verification and payouts. You can also reach out to our fast and reliable support to resolve any issue.

Frequently asked questions about Popular Italian gift cards

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about popular Italian gift cards; 

Question 1: Where do Italians buy gift cards?

In electronics chains, bookshops, supermarkets, and brand stores, as well as online from brands and authorized resellers. Many shops keep a gift card rack by the checkout.

Question 2: Why was my Italian gift card rejected?

This is usually because your account isn’t set to Italy. Most Italian cards only work on Italian websites or with accounts registered in Italy. The card itself is most likely still valid.

Question 3: Does an Amazon.it card work on Amazon.com?

No. Each Amazon store accepts only its own cards, so an Amazon.it card only works on amazon.it.

Question 4: How long do Italian gift cards last?

It depends on the brand. MediaWorld cards last 12 months. Zalando cards last five years and Amazon.it cards ten, according to reseller terms. Always check the card itself, because the issuer won’t replace a card that has expired.

Question 5: Which Italian gift card should I avoid selling?

Avoid relying on store cards like MediaWorld, laFeltrinelli, and Zalando for cash. Few Nigerian platforms buy them, so they’re worth more as a gift to someone in Italy.

Conclusion

If an Italian card lands in your inbox, start by asking where it works. Apple, Amazon.it, and Steam cards have a chance of being sold in Nigeria. MediaWorld, laFeltrinelli, and Zalando cards are made for shopping in Italy, so they’re best spent there or passed on. And whichever card you have, keep the code private until you’ve chosen how to use it.

When you’re ready to see a figure, the Ridima rate calculator shows what your card is worth today.

More from the Ridima blog:

Sources

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