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Once more on using a US debit card in Europe

Posted by (northeast corner, CT, USA) on

(Sorry, I'm sure this has been answered before, but I couldn't dig it out of the message archive.)

A manager at my local bank -- which does not charge a fee for out-of-system ATM use -- advised me to use that same Visa-branded ATM/debit card for purchases in Europe in lieu of cash, to keep ATM fees down. (That would be whatever fees the other banks charged.)

However, I have the idea that a US debit card doesn't work the same way in Europe that it does here. Maybe it doesn't work at all?

(Normally we use credit cards for purchasing goods, and hope to have a no-fee one in hand before leaving.)

Thanks in advance for bringing me up to speed.

Posted by
9109 posts

European ATM machines (which are owned by banks) don't charge any ATM fees. You can use US debit cards to make purchases just like you do here in the US. If you do need to use plastic it's better to use a credit card instead of an debit card...at least for large purchases like paying hotel bills.

Posted by
23557 posts

Just to reinforce what Michael posted. Use you debit card to obtain local currency from an ATM and a credit card if you want to charge anything. Using a debit card for purchase does not provide the same level of protection that a credit does. Second, Europe is more cash oriented than the US. On our last trip of 33 days we only charged two items. All the rest were cash. And bring a second debit card tied to a different account as back up.

Posted by
10548 posts

To reinforce Frank's suggestion to bring two different debit cards tied to different accounts - I have two accounts at my credit union and have debit cards for both. If needed I can transfer money between the two accounts.

I have used my debit card to purchase goods in Europe with no problems. It probably is better to use a credit card though. I try to pay cash for everything.

Posted by
2953 posts

Hi AnnB,

Same as the rest... we use our debit card to get cash from bank ATM's just as we would do at home. No difference at all, except I don't believe we've ever recieved a reciept for a transaction. We do jot down how much we withdrew, the date, time, where and what bank we used. Not while we're standing there of course.

We use two checking accounts (from the same bank) with seperate debit cards just in case. We always bring 2 credit cards's but rarely use them.

Paul

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