How much money should one bring to the EU

I just spent 3 weeks in Paris for the Olympics. Brought €50, came back with the same €50. Every single payment was done by debit/credit card using my IPhone or Apple watch.

This talked about regularly on the various sub-forums so feel free to search the older threads.

FTR, just returned from a couple weeks in the Netherlands (Euro) and Norway (krone). I always have some Euros leftover from prior travel, and just bring that with me on my next trip. This trip, I had ZERO need to spend any cash. ALL done on credit card. No one needed or wanted cash, and some places ONLY took electronic/CC payments.

So, to me, bring some left over Euros or other currencies if you have them, but don't plan on needing local currency in places like Germany, France, or the UK.

My last visits to the UK and Paris, I used no cash at all - 2022 and 2023. Northern Germany in 2023 some spots still preferred cash for purchases, but credit cards were commonly accepted. I'm sure I used less than the US equivalent of $100 even there in a week long stay.

The answer to your question is largely dependent on what you plan to do, where you plan to eat, where you will stay, length of stay, where you will go - city vs isolated and/or rural.

I have about $200 in Euros left from previous trips and don't plan to replenish the stock before departing for 2 weeks in France this fall.

ATMs can be found all over Europe. Some like to arrive in a foreign country with a little bit of currency; amount would depend on personal itineraries.

For Germany and France, once you arrive, get maybe 100 EUR out of an ATM. France, you will not likely need any cash, unless you use some to buy a bottle of water or something small, and feel better using cash. Germany is your wildcard. If you stickt to well worn tourist spots, then you likely will have no problem just using cards, but, if you get away to smaller shops and some restaurants, you probably will run into places that are cash only, or highly prefer cash. The locals tend to use more cash in their daily transactions, even if use of card is available, sort of a quirk in light of the rest of Europe.

In the UK, I would try to avoid getting any GBP, might be nice to have a bit in the pocket, but certainly London, and many other towns, card will cover everything, including purchases, the London Transit System, toilets, and even the buskers on the street corner. I think I have 10 GBP in my travel bag, it went to the UK with me on the last couple trips, didn't use any, will probably just keep for future trips. However, if you are planning a longer trip, maybe renting a car, then you might want some cash. We ran into parking pay points and laundries that were coins only.

Each person should have their own credit card, or one loaded onto an Apple or Android device, if a card, verify it is contactless capable. Of course a no foreign transaction fee card is best, Visa or Mastercard the most versatile.

I'd say it depends on where you are going. Last year we spent a week in a smaller town in Germany and many of the restaurants and small shops did not take credit cards. I always take some cash with me, and if I have too much left towards the end of my trip, I use it for meals or whatever I am doing. It has never bothered me to take cash.

I prefer to pay in cash. I don't like all those receipts and looking at my CC statements after the fact. So what you use CC or cash should be personal to you. I don't bring any Euro cash, but I have enough to $ in account to cover for ATMs. Last trip was Greece 4 weeks. Most all hotels I paid CC. Car rent, CC. But most all else was cash total $2044 for two people. I know that because I am going to Ireland September and wanted to have sufficient similar amount in my Schwab checking account for the ATMs.

Depends on where you go and what you do. Where I stay and eat in Germany only take cash

As already mentioned, Germany has more cash only establishments than France or GB, so you will need some cash. Even if an establishment accepts credit cards there may be a minimum to charge. The highest minimum I saw last year was €15. During the Germany portion of that trip I probably needed €200. For France I don’t think I hardly used any and last December in London I could have used zero cash.

We needed cash Euros a few times on our visit in France last year. We always take a small amount of the local currency for the ‘just in case’ scenarios. It has been needed.

I always carry emergency cash in case my ATM card and credit cards are stolen or taken by a machine.

If taking a tour and you need to tip while on the tour, take extra. I take at least $100 for tips.

I think it depends on what you are planning on doing.. If in EU for Chistmas markets timeframe or festivals, I'd have a solid amount of Euro on hand because many times those events are mostly cash only...

I definitely have followed Rick's advice on looking for real banks to get euro from a bank ATM. That has been a lifesaver for me and with USAA, I get the charge back and no extra fees for conversion.

I don't mind bringing back euro, I just save it for the next trip. I go enough that I have a reserve built up and don't have to worry about getting money the first couple days. Sometimes finding a bank takes a bit of time and research.

Having seen this question interpreted several ways, are you asking how much cash will I need to use? Or are you asking how much to budget?

Also I unterstand if you want to do local farmers market kind of shopping you would need cash?

This depends on your travel style and risk factor. I bring a good amount of cash, ie Euro bills to be used in the course of a trip in Germany. You will see numerous, numerous places in Germany and Austria (you're not going there) showing cash only, even in tourist areas. Munich is one of these sites.

I have no problems carrying cash on my person, having taken the usual perfunctory precautions, hidden pocket, etc. Some the hotels I stay at give me a discount provided I pay in cash for the multi-night stay. No concerns at all regarding getting picked , let alone losing the Euro bills on me.

I saw , this time they were Americans , totally frustrated and pissed because the WC tap function was out of order, ie taped over, which these Americans had not counted on (they didn't have coins or could not get coins which added to their frustration) or expected to encounter thinking you could use the WC by tapping...depends on your luck. That incident was at Berlin Hbf., not at some insignificant place or town. The tap function taped over I saw a few times in Germany and France....what then.