How should I pay when traveling in Europe?

You’re traveling to Europe for the trip of a lifetime. Wherever you’re headed, you’ll have no shortage of memorable sights to see and cuisines to sample. 

When paying for all the great things you’ve got planned, you’re likely to have a number of options.

What you’ll learn:

• You’ll likely be able to use multiple forms of payment in Europe. 

• Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe and are an easy, convenient way to pay.

• Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees for purchases abroad. Capital One doesn’t. View important rates and disclosures.

• Debit cards, digital wallets and cash are among the other ways to pay in Europe.

In general, you should be able to use your credit card in Europe as long as the merchant accepts your card’s payment network. Having other forms of payment, like cash or a debit card, could provide a backup in case your credit card isn’t an option. Just keep in mind that debit card acceptance is also network-dependent.

Using your credit card in Europe could be an easy and convenient way to pay. And if it has security features like fraud alerts and $0 liability for unauthorized charges, using it can also help you protect your money.

Travel rewards credit cards, in particular, can offer benefits that are useful for travelers. You could earn rewards while you’re seeing the sights in Europe. And some travel cards also offer extra benefits, such as:

• Access to airport lounges

• Statement credits for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fees

• Lost luggage reimbursement

Knowing how credit cards work in Europe can help you prepare for your trip. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The technology may be slightly different. It may help to understand that European cards are usually issued with chip-and-PIN technology. That’s how cardholders authenticate their transactions—with a personal identification number (PIN) at checkout. Your U.S. credit card likely comes with chip-and-signature technology. But you typically don’t need to worry about the difference since most payment terminals now accept both types of cards. 

• There may be fees. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but other card issuers might. View important rates and disclosures.

• Your card issuer may need to be informed of your travels. It’s generally not necessary these days, but you can check whether your card issuer needs a travel notice from you. Capital One doesn’t require one. But it does recommend updating your contact information.

In general, yes. You can use your debit card at merchants that accept cards on your network or use it to withdraw cash from an ATM.

Debit cards that are linked to major payment networks are widely accepted and will work throughout Europe. Unlike credit cards, debit cards are linked to money you already have in your checking account.

Bringing your debit card on a European trip can be especially helpful if you keep it in a separate place from your credit card. If the credit card is lost, stolen or declined, you have an immediate backup. 

Keep in mind that if your debit card is lost or stolen, your liability for unauthorized charges may depend on when you report the loss. You can read up on your card’s terms and conditions to learn what this means for you.

If merchants accept your digital wallet, you could use it to get the benefits of a credit card without actually carrying one. Digital wallets might also be used to store plane and event tickets.

Keep in mind that any potential fees associated with the cards in your digital wallet could still apply.

Here are other payment methods you could consider when you’re planning a trip to Europe.

There may be times when you’ll want to have some cash on hand. For example, cash may be useful for paying at local markets or tipping after a meal. It can also act as a temporary safety net if your credit card gets lost or stolen.

You may want to exchange dollars for euros or local currency at your bank before you leave.

Travel money cards are specifically for travel-related spending. Think of them as prepaid cards. When you load the currency onto your card, you lock in the exchange rate for that date. 

Travel money cards might be used to make purchases or withdraw cash from ATMs.

If you want to know more about payment methods to use in Europe, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Credit, debit, cash, digital: Your payment choices when traveling to Europe are almost as plentiful as places to visit. It might help to think about the different situations you’ll find yourself in and plan accordingly.

Ready to turn everyday purchases into your next adventure? Explore the Venture and Venture X travel rewards credit cards from Capital One and start earning unlimited miles you can use toward flights, hotels and more.