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’ll likely have several options, including credit and debit cards.

What you’ll learn:

• 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 other ways to pay in Europe.

In general, you can use your credit card in Europe as long as the merchant accepts your card’s payment network. Using your credit card in Europe can be an easy and convenient way to pay. And if your card offers security features, fraud alerts and $0 liability for unauthorized charges, using it can help you protect your money while you’re abroad.

Travel rewards credit cards can offer benefits that are particularly useful for travelers. You could earn rewards while you’re seeing the sights in Europe and enjoy 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 know:

• 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.

• Fees: Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but other issuers might. View important rates and disclosures. Foreign transaction fees are typically 1%-3% of each transaction you make outside the U.S. 

• Dynamic currency conversion (DCC): Some merchants may offer the option to make purchases in your home currency instead of the local currency. But it typically comes with a fee. And you can decline DCC at the point of sale.

You can use your debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM or make purchases at merchants that accept the card’s network. 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 a backup. 

If your debit card is lost or stolen, your liability for unauthorized charges may depend on when you report it.

You can use your debit card to withdraw local currency at ATMs in Europe, but there may be fees. Before your trip, you may want to check your bank’s policies on ATM fees and daily withdrawal limits.

If merchants accept your digital wallet, you could use it to get the benefits of a credit card without carrying your physical card. Contactless payment options like Apple Pay® and Google Wallet™ are widely accepted in Europe. Digital wallets might also be used to store plane and event tickets. Any potential fees associated with the cards in your digital wallet could still apply.

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.

But relying primarily on a credit card for purchases could be a good idea for reasons like these:

• Convenience: Credit cards are an easy and convenient way to pay.

• Rewards: With a rewards credit card, you could earn rewards like cash back or miles when you make purchases.

• Travel-related protections: When you use an eligible credit card to book travel, you could get travel-related benefits like rental car insurance, travel accident insurance and more.

• Security features: Some credit cards, including all Capital One cards, offer helpful security features. They can give you a little extra peace of mind when you’re away from home.

Paying with a debit or credit card may be the easiest option in some European regions. In others, merchants might prefer cash. Before you travel, you may want to do some research to find out what payment methods are preferred in the places you’re visiting.

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 the 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 Capital One Venture and Venture X travel rewards credit cards and start earning unlimited miles you can use toward flights, hotels and more.