What types of gift cards can I buy online in Ireland and the UK?

You can purchase digital gift cards (including virtual cards) that are sent via email, as well as physical cards if needed. However, digital gift cards are the easiest and most scalable option for rewarding employees in both Ireland and the UK.

Why should I consider digital gift cards instead of physical ones?

Digital gift cards offer several advantages: instant delivery, no shipping delays, easy bulk distribution, reduced risk of loss or damage, and seamless suitability for remote or hybrid teams

Can I purchase gift cards in Irish Euro (EUR) and British Pound (GBP)?

Yes. When ordering through CleverCards, you can choose your preferred currency, Euro (EUR) for Ireland or Pound Sterling (GBP) for the UK, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions for your team.

How does the bulk ordering process work for companies?

The bulk ordering process on CleverCards is simple and fully digital. Start by clicking the “Order Now” button on the CleverCards website and create your business account. Then choose the total number and value of cards you’d like to send. For multiple recipients, you can upload a CSV file with employee names and email addresses, making it easy to send hundreds of cards at once. After reviewing your order, you can either send the cards instantly or schedule delivery for a later date. Each recipient will receive their digital Visa card via email, ready to add to Apple Pay or Google Pay and spend anywhere online or in-store

Are these gift cards usable anywhere (online and in-store)?

Yes. CleverCards digital gift cards are powered by Mastercard, making them universally accepted at millions of merchants worldwide, both online and in-store via contactless, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Do these gift cards expire or have restrictions on where they can be spent?

CleverCards recommends choosing cards with no restrictive expiry dates or merchant limitations. Their cards are designed for flexibility and usability wherever Visa is accepted

Is there a tax benefit for companies when giving these gift cards in Ireland?

Yes. Under Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, employers can give non-cash rewards like gift cards tax-free up to €1,500 per employee per year

How quickly will employees receive their gift cards?

With digital distribution, employees receive their cards instantly via email once the order is completed, or at your chosen scheduled time, much faster than traditional delivery methods.

What should we look for when choosing a gift card provider for employees?

Choose a provider that offers flexibility of use, clear visibility of balance and spending, minimal or no expiry date, and secure, scalable distribution for individuals or teams

How do I get started with ordering gift cards for our team?

To get started, simply create a free CleverCards business account. Choose your preferred currency (EUR or GBP), select how many cards you want to send, and set the value for each. You can then upload your team’s details individually or via a bulk CSV file for larger groups. Once your order is ready, schedule delivery or send instantly, each recipient will receive a digital Visa card by email that can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used anywhere online or in-store.

Where to Buy Gift Cards Online in Ireland & UK?

~7min reading time Published 7 August 2025 Updated 29 October 2026

Buying gift cards online is the easiest and most impactful way to appreciate staff in Ireland and the UK. Learn the best place to buy gift cards online, how to order cards in bulk, and what to look for.

Gift cards online have changed how businesses appreciate their employees. A few years ago, employee gifting meant hampers, store vouchers, mugs, or office parties. These options may have felt thoughtful at the time, but today they are inflexible options, limited to scale.

Back then, both employers and employees were comfortable with manual processes simply because there were no better alternatives. Today, however, the situation has changed. With hybrid and remote-first work, growing teams, and the need for instant, flexible solutions, efficiency now drives business. This is why more organisations are choosing to buy gift cards online for staff, because they are easy to source, digital, and scalable.

The numbers tell the same story. The gift card market in the United Kingdom alone is projected to grow to USD 15.74 billion by 2029, up from USD 10.96 billion in 2024. The surge reflects a clear shift; both businesses and employees prefer online gift cards for their convenience. But where should you buy gift cards online? Let's explore.

What To Look For When Buying Gift Cards For Staff?

When choosing an appreciation gift for staff, it is important to think from your employees' point of view. What is easy, useful, and enjoyable for them? Here is what a good gift card should offer:

Ensure that the gift card works anywhere, not just with a single retailer.
Employees should be able to see how much they have spent and what's left.
The cards should have longer or no expiry dates so they can use them at their convenience.

Best Place to Buy Gift Cards Online For Employees In Ireland & UK?

When it comes to rewarding staff with gift cards online, there is no better place to start than CleverCards. CleverCards offer a clever, more efficient way for modern businesses to reward employees at scale.

What sets CleverCards apart is that it does not just offer generic vouchers. Instead, it provides Employee Gift Cards in the form of digital Visa, designed to create a unique and personalised gifting experience.

Whether you are gifting for year-end festivities, rewarding staff throughout the year, or recognising employees for a major milestone, here's what you get when you buy gift cards online for your staff through CleverCards:

1. Instant Digital Delivery

With traditional gift vouchers or physical cards, employees often wait days, sometimes weeks, to receive their reward. The manual logistics and time-consuming process are frustrating for both the employee and HR.

With CleverCards, you can send gift cards instantly online via email. You’re in control and this means as soon as you order gift cards online through CleverCards, your team receives their individual digital Visa, ready to use, straight to their inbox.

2. Tax Free Up to €1,500 in Ireland

With Ireland's Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, you can give employees non-cash rewards of up to €1,500 every year. This means CleverCards are tax-free up to €1,500 per employee, per year.

Cash bonus is added to the employee's payroll, which means higher taxes for both the employee and the employer. CleverCards employee gift cards ensure that these rewards are not only thoughtful but also a wise financial move for the business.

3. Accepted Worldwide

CleverCards are powered by Visa, making them usable across the world online or in-store using contactless at over 50 million merchants worldwide.

Unlike store-specific vouchers, which limit choice. Employees can add their CleverCards gift cards to Google Pay or Apple Pay and spend their reward anywhere, anytime. It's a perfect fit for today's growing workforce in Ireland and the UK.

4. Easy Bulk Gifting

Whether you are rewarding 10 or 10,000 employees, CleverCards makes it effortless to send digital gift cards in bulk with just a few clicks.

If you were to procure physical gift cards for 10,000 employees, it would mean resource-intensive coordination and distribution of cards. By ordering gift cards online through CleverCards, you ensure there are no shipping delays or manual follow-ups.

5. Safe & Secure

Physical gift cards and vouchers carry the risk of getting lost, damaged, or misused, often without the possibility of replacement. This not only creates inconvenience but also increases the chances of fraud or budget leakage.

CleverCards eliminates these concerns by offering a 100% digital solution. Businesses can securely distribute gift cards through a centralised business portal, and employees can track their spending via the CleverCards app.

How To Order Gift Cards Online In Ireland & The UK?

Ordering gift cards online for staff in Ireland and the UK is now simpler and more efficient than ever before. Here is how you can place your order with CleverCards in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Visit 'Order Now' and begin by creating your CleverCards account.

Step 2: Select your preferred currency (EUR or GBP), choose between a small order or a bulk order, and enter the quantity and value for each card.

Step 3: Enter the name and email of recipients. For bulk gift cards, upload a CSV file with all employee details.

Step 4: Choose when you would like to send the gift cards, either immediately or at a scheduled date and time.

Once completed, your employee will receive their digital gift cards in their email along with a personalised message. They can then activate their card by adding it to their Google Pay or Apple Pay so they can spend anywhere in-store or online.

Why CleverCards Make The Best Appreciation Gift For Staff?

CleverCards offers a digital-first solution for employee gifting. No matter what occasion you are gifting for, CleverCards removes all operational complexities and delivers a rewarding experience for both employees and employers.

The fact that there is no stress of handling and distributing physical gift cards, moreover, the added tax benefit ensures a seamless experience. For employees, CleverCards offers the flexibility to use it anywhere across the world.

Looking for a meaningful appreciation gift for staff? Look no more! Fill out the form below, and someone from the CleverCards team will reach out to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

: You can purchase digital gift cards (including virtual cards) that are sent via email, as well as physical cards if needed. However, digital gift cards are the easiest and most scalable option for rewarding employees in both Ireland and the UK.
: Digital gift cards offer several advantages: instant delivery, no shipping delays, easy bulk distribution, reduced risk of loss or damage, and seamless suitability for remote or hybrid teams
: Yes. When ordering through CleverCards, you can choose your preferred currency, Euro (EUR) for Ireland or Pound Sterling (GBP) for the UK, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions for your team.
: The bulk ordering process on CleverCards is simple and fully digital. Start by clicking the “Order Now” button on the CleverCards website and create your business account. Then choose the total number and value of cards you’d like to send. For multiple recipients, you can upload a CSV file with employee names and email addresses, making it easy to send hundreds of cards at once. After reviewing your order, you can either send the cards instantly or schedule delivery for a later date. Each recipient will receive their digital Visa card via email, ready to add to Apple Pay or Google Pay and spend anywhere online or in-store
: Yes. CleverCards digital gift cards are powered by Mastercard, making them universally accepted at millions of merchants worldwide, both online and in-store via contactless, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
: CleverCards recommends choosing cards with no restrictive expiry dates or merchant limitations. Their cards are designed for flexibility and usability wherever Visa is accepted
: Yes. Under Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, employers can give non-cash rewards like gift cards tax-free up to €1,500 per employee per year
: With digital distribution, employees receive their cards instantly via email once the order is completed, or at your chosen scheduled time, much faster than traditional delivery methods.
: Choose a provider that offers flexibility of use, clear visibility of balance and spending, minimal or no expiry date, and secure, scalable distribution for individuals or teams
: To get started, simply create a free CleverCards business account. Choose your preferred currency (EUR or GBP), select how many cards you want to send, and set the value for each. You can then upload your team’s details individually or via a bulk CSV file for larger groups. Once your order is ready, schedule delivery or send instantly, each recipient will receive a digital Visa card by email that can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used anywhere online or in-store.

Employee receiving CleverCard digital Christmas gift cards on her phone