Chip and Pin Credit Card Use in Europe

Robert, YES, the "Chip & PIN" credit cards DO require a PIN. This is used in place of a signature. If the C&P portion of the card is used for a transaction, the magnetic stripe is NOT used. I've heard that some of the newer POS Terminals don't have a Reader for magnetic stripe cards. I suspect that once the conversion is complete, the magnetic stripe will be removed from C&P cards. When making purchases, the C&P card is inserrted into the POS terminal, where it remains until the transaction is completed. The C&P cards are technically called EMV cards (Europay/MasterCard/Visa), and have been used in Europe, Canada and most other places in the world for several years. For some reason, U.S. financial institutions have decided not to adopt this technology, although a few are starting to "get with the program". A number of HelpLine posters have reported that the Andrews Federal Credit Union also offers the cards. The degree of use in Europe seems to vary somewhat by country, as the conversion to this new technology is still ongoing in some areas. Most Hotels, restaurants, etc. are still able to process magnetic stripe cards, while some automated devices such as ticket Kiosks and fuel pumps will only accept C&P cards. A good example of this is the ticket Kiosks at Paris / CDG, which will ONLY accept C&P cards or Euro coins. The Netherlands seems to be a bit further ahead with the conversion than some other countries, and I found last year that even the staffed ticket office at Amsterdam Central would ONLY accept C&P cards (or cash). Happy travels!

In Europe currenty. We have the Andrews chip and pin card and use it daily. Though we've memorized the pin, we've never used it. We've signed several times if the transaction is over a certain amount. Love the chip and pin!

Unless something has changed, the Chase cards are actually "chip and signature" rather than "chip and pin". They have the EMV chip embedded which is definitely a step in the right direction. When the card is inserted for payment, the cashier is asked to request a signature. There is a long posting on flyer talk with mixed reviews on the "chip and signature" cards. I don't remember all the details, but the bottom line was that sometimes they worked at unmanned kiosks and sometimes not.

Can I put a slight twist on Ken's comment The Netherlands seems to be a bit further ahead with the conversion than some other countries. As far as I can see, the conversion in Europe for Europeans is complete. No Mastercards or Visa cards, or American Express cards for that matter, as far as I know, are issued in Europe without the chip. All have stripes as well, only for backup and use in North America. Virtually all transactions will be expected to be C&P for Europeans in Europe. Many machines retain swipe ability to help American visitors but many more are steadily becoming C&P only. The reason I have been told is because C&P is much more secure. I do know that businesses are being told, mine and my wife's among many others, that fraudulent transactions done using C&P will be taken by the banks and clearing houses whereas fraudulent transactions where the card has been swiped will be charged back to business even if secondary ID has been taken. I can certainly see how businesses will be persuaded to eliminate both "Chip and Signature" and "Swipe and Signature" from the offered options. Netherlands may be ahead of the curve but the rest of Europe is hot on their heels.

Many thanks to those who gave us such good "overnight" counsel on this emerging technology! All of your thoughts have been saved and we'll proceed with a degree of caution with the "chip and signature" card. Meanwhile, as they say, "cash is king" worldwide.
Thanks, all, once again! It was a great help!