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 end of memorable sights to see and cuisines to sample. 

When it comes to paying for all the great things you’ve got planned, you’re likely to have a number of options. Here’s what you need to know about paying for purchases in Europe.

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.

Credit cards can be an easy and convenient way to pay in Europe. And if they have security features like fraud alerts and $0 liability for unauthorized charges, they can also help you protect your money.

Travel rewards credit cards in particular can offer benefits that are useful for travelers. For example, eligible Capital One cards, including Venture X and Venture, may offer:

• Travel-related benefits like lost luggage reimbursemen—these benefits can vary, so you may want to check your card’s benefits guide for information on what your card offers

• Complimentary access for Venture X cardholders to airport lounges

• Up to a $120 statement credit when they’re used to pay for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry¹

With a rewards credit card, you can earn rewards on your purchases while you’re seeing the sights in Europe.

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. Some credit cards add foreign transaction fees and currency conversion fees to international transactions. Capital One’s U.S.-issued cards don’t charge these fees. View important rates and disclosures. But other credit card issuers might. 

• 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 so you can be reached, if necessary, while you’re away.

In general, yes. You can present your debit card to any merchant that accepts them or use it to withdraw cash from an ATM.

Debit cards that are linked to Visa® and Mastercard® 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.

Like some credit cards, some debit cards may come with foreign transaction fees, currency conversion fees and ATM fees when you use them abroad. 

Capital One does not charge additional fees for foreign transactions. View important rates and disclosures. But if you use an ATM that isn’t within the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks, you may be charged a fee from that ATM owner.

It’s possible to use a credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash. But that may come with higher interest rates and fees.

You could use a mobile or digital wallet to get the benefits of a credit card without actually carrying one. PayPal®, Apple Pay® and Google Pay™ are examples of digital wallets that are widely accepted in Europe.² 

You may be able to store and access credit cards and debit cards from your smartphone, smartwatch, computer or tablet. 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 whichever national currency you need—at your bank before you leave. According to Bankrate, banks tend to have the best rates and typically won’t charge extra fees.

Traveler’s checks are another option, even though they’re not as common as they used to be. 

Traveler’s checks are generally printed with a unique serial number, which means you may be able to get a refund if your checks are lost or stolen. You can check the terms and conditions to understand any restrictions or fees that might apply.

Keep in mind that there may be fees to purchase, exchange or deposit traveler’s checks.

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 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.

If you want to earn double miles on every purchase—and even more on every trip—check out Capital One’s Venture and Venture X cards.