by jlcota · Published 07/08/22 · Updated 07/08/22It is often said that in Europe one can get around paying for everything with a card and that it is not necessary to carry cash.We would say that this statement is generally correct, but traveling in real life we ​​find situations where the only way to make certain payments was in cash.For example, in Italy, on the island of Sardinia, we wanted to pay for admission to a spa with a credit card and the answer was “only cash”.Then, on another island on the same island, we wanted to pay for an umbrella rental with a card and we had to walk a couple of blocks and go to the administration of the place to be able to do it.In Spain, on the island of Mallorca, in Puerto Pollença, we saw a sign that said “NO CREDIT CARD” in a place that sold mini donuts.Also in Mallorca, in the beautiful town of Valldemosa, they only accepted euro coins to pay for parking.In Germany, in Berlin we find a surprising love for cash and aversion to cards in various shops.At first we found it in areas with more alternative proposals and we thought it would only be there, but no, we also saw "only cash" in Alexanderplatz shopping centers.Again, credit and debit cards are generally widely accepted in Europe, but there are several exceptions, such as those listed as an example above.This also changes from country to country and even in areas or cities within the same country.For what we mentioned in this post, it may be that you need to have a little cash when you are traveling through Europe, so let's see some options for it:While we are here, we take the opportunity to suggest that you do not rely on a single alternative when thinking about operating with debit, credit or prepaid cards, there are often failures in the different payment networks.And you, how have you been when it comes to paying for things in Europe, did you find yourself needing to have some cash?Note: This publication may contain affiliate links for which we receive an economic compensation in case you make a purchase or contract, without this implying an extra expense for you.More information.Goodbye!In short, "silver in hand ass on terra" 💪Good power of synthesis.Hello guys!I have a query, to withdraw cash abroad, does the cap of US$ 200 apply?Thanks greetingsHello, the limit for cash advances that you have defined on your card applies.to WITHDRAW AT THE ATM you can only withdraw dollars from your account, you cannot withdraw from your deposited pesos, (this is only possible in purchases), therefore no caps apply except for the withdrawal of your debit card (the equivalent of pesos that you have in Argentina, although you should ask your bank since there were some that had a separate limit for withdrawals abroad)In Europe I was able to make credit card payments from a few euros, they accept it in general.But you need cash to pay for a small museum, a bus ticket for the driver, 1 euro coins to leave your backpack in a museum locker, to use some public toilets.You always have to take a little cash from the place, or get it from the ATM.And save the coins that they give us back.Some eurillo cash is never too much.In the 3 weeks in Europe at no time did I need to pay in cash, if I did it was of my own free will and not necessity.You have had bad luck.I live in Europe and I have had the same 20 euros in my wallet for 6 months.We don't even use cash to buy bread.Real.In February we went to visit my son, we toured Hamburg (where he lived), Florence, Lisbon and the Costa del Sol, going as far as Seville one day, and only spent cash when we did the red umbrella tours.Everything else card it.False, it all depends on the expenses that you can justify 🙂Heh, that's another topicIn London, barring something that requires coins to operate, it's rare to find places that only accept cash.But there are also places that do not accept cash, for example some restaurants have signs that warn that they are cashierless (without cashiers) or in the Amazon fresh supermarket you cannot use cash either.It happened to me in Madrid in a family store near the hostel where I went to buy water and some things before going out for a walk.Everything was almost 4 euros and when I gave him the card he showed me a sign (which I had not seen) that said minimum 5 euros so I ended up paying in cash.And I also have a habit of changing 100 dollars when I travel abroad and I always end up with leftovers, I calculate that I would have about 300 dollars if I put everything together.True, I forgot to mention those that ask for a minimum expense to be able to pay with a card.In Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) you pay absolutely everything with a card, even to use public toilets.I was in Spain for a month, I took 300 euros in 50 bills and came back with 200. Everything else, by card.I happen to go into one of those markets run by Pakistanis in Barcelona, ​​wanting to buy a bottle of water and if you pay them with a card they either look at you badly or directly say no.The same in some other street stall.I saw in some places in Galicia, minimum to pay by card.Also in Mallorca I had to pay for beach parking lots in cash.I did several free tours and the tip to the guide was cash.Always some other ticket you have to have on you.Luckily I had 50, which is a more or less "small" bill.If you try to pay a few euros with a 100, they can also say no.Good report, Ale, thanks for sharing.Good morning: there is everything.In Sardinia, even parking was paid with debit/credit.In Piazza Navona, in a restaurant, I couldn't pay by card, because the posnet wasn't working.(I saw other clients that the same thing happened to them).It is always advisable to carry cash.I was also able to withdraw cash with credit cards.CheersJust in case, a little cash.Hi, we traveled as a family to London, Apulia and Valencia last month.Only in London fie where in 2 places they asked us for Cash or £.In a place where you buy souvenirs from the city and the minimum was £5 and in a Chinese food place.So both in Italy and in Spain we don't need Cash.Obviously bring cash in case some blessed new measure came out in our country that would restrict the use of cards.Argentines must always go prepared.I have a trip to Europe next month, that's why my question about cash, are there many places where they don't accept payment in cash, and only card?I'm talking about in major cities.Thank youIt depends on the city, in general the cards are widely accepted.It is so in Europe.In Malaga pay even the bus to the collective with a card.I have just been to Morocco and Jordan.90% must be paid in cash.I ask, within this query about the widespread use of cards, since I have not yet traveled to Europe and it will soon be the first time, are all cards accepted without inconvenience?Because I have heard that Amex (the one I use the most) has little acceptance, is it so?Visa and Master are more widespread, but Amex is widely accepted as well.I would say that Amex accepts it at 50%.You don't have to trustHardly anyone accepts Amex.They say that for the commissions.I travel in July and take 200 euros.I came back with 20. There are many services that ask for coins. car wash.A data.I do not know forget to declare Andorra if you go by car.The toll does not accept a card if you did not declare it as part of your trip. There I was able to pay with cash and the 70 euros that came out for the section of the trip is not a small thing.Tips are cash.If you take the bus, use the passes that can be obtained online or carry coins.Leave a few dollars in your savings account and withdraw cash with your debit account.Impossible to withdraw cash with credit cards despite having declared and having a balance.Also the commissions are high.In short, it is always good to have a few euros in your pocket.Have a good trip.Good day, In our case we take euros in cash to spend... we don't whitewash as much and they are from the year of the jopo haha ​​since I collected them before the pandemic for that purpose.Now in Argentina, there is no change…everything is dollar.So I think it's convenient to spend them there, instead of using a card...and I manage myself better.I understand, there is no single recipe, everyone knows their reality and what they want to declare.It's more… please get me out of doubt.We have a car rental in Malaga, directly through Alamo, and we want to pay the rent in cash. Except for the guarantee block, which is done on a card... can we?on the page it seems so.Could someone do that?I got it online directly with them, payment on arrival.Thanks.We have not tried, Ake, I leave you with a recent experience: Good experience picking up a rented car in SpainI've been in Spain for 2 weeks, precisely I walked through Madrid, Alicante and Mallorca.I only spent 20 euros in cash when I ordered a pizza through an app, and the Argentine card did not work.The rest, EVERYTHING with a card, from the most absurd like paying €1.50 for a bottle of water in an Indian/Pakistani supermarket, to hotels.No one looked at me badly or told me no.It would be good to consult the reasons why they did not accept a card.Because if it is due to a non-functioning of the posnet Ok, but on a whim?No sir… XXI century, the cash only for trifles.It is interesting, in some cases we perceive a love for privacy that cash givesFalse, I am in Germany and while cards are generally accepted, I saw that people pay a lot in cash.In Heidelberg, for example, a confectionery had a sign that indicated cash only, and invited customers to withdraw cash at the ATM located around the corner.In several places in Munich and Nuremberg they did not accept cash.My personal case, I make a mix when paying.Possible then to pay all card expenses in pesosGermany, Italy and Spain, contrary to what one might think, have the highest cash usage rates in the world.It is not because they have an informal economy like Argentina, but because of habit and this is also taken by some businesses.This is why in those countries it can happen that they only accept cash!Also be careful with the “vivillos” in Europe.In Paris, I disarmed his posnet at the Café de la Comedia, near the Louvre, because he said he had no signal….When we entered, they were telling the story of “the posnet doesn't work for me”, to some American girls.When it was my turn to pay, I was already waiting for him….I called the manager, I opened the posnet for him, I had him reset it and I asked him to go outside so that I have the “lost signal”… The guy’s stunned face…haha….He ran into an Argentine (prepared for the apocalypse), and a Telecommunications technician...😃... ohh la la!!hahaha great!!I didn't know who I was messing with hahahahaHi Jorge, thanks for the link.I looked at bookingcars and it costs me double.For this reason, since I contracted directly with the Alamo company, I imagine that they will not want to sell me another insurance, and I think it is good.And what I want is to pay there in cash, euros.On the other hand… can you confirm that they DO NOT ask for the international license?because we rent a car in OLBIA and in MALAGA.Thank you!Sds.That's where I read...we're going to get the international permit YES or YES...just in case.😁 Sorry I sent msg and didn't finish reading that detail.I'm not surprised by what they say about Italy, but about Germany, especially in a place like Alexanderplatz.In my case I would say that in the only country that you can afford not to carry a single ticket is in the USA, then in places like Europe or Asia it is variable (for me)The tourist tax charged by lodgings in Italy per passenger and per night, many times only in cash and a few times they did not charge meIn March I arrived in Tenerife and I couldn't get money from the ATM with any card... I only needed it for tips... I was stingy... in Norway you could include tips on the card... 10!In Istanbul there were few transport card loading machines that had a card... I remember changing from 20 dollars and I did it several times, I don't remember now when I used the efvo.In Egypt… credit card?What's that???Hahaha hotels and some restaurants…I am in Italy touring Puglia.All Perfect with cards.Just for convenience I paid the bus to the driver to go around Salento.They don't have posnet but if you buy the tickets at a point of sale you can pay by card.Today in Polignano I paid with cash in a souvenir shop but because "the posnet rejected the cards" with which I am paying everything, so it was surely something of the business.It is always essential for me to have cash in my wallet.But I took 400 euros in cash and came back with 300 🙂I am in Spain and very few things I had to pay in cash.Tips (in Spain tips are very voluntary) and you give them if you think the waiter deserves it.Free tour tips.Buy girls who sometimes have a minimum and sometimes you're embarrassed to pay with a card 😒😒 Umbrella on the beach.Some car park that only accepts coins.Public transport in a small city.Some market stalls, although if you tell them that you don't have cash from somewhere, a posnet magically appears or they go to another stall so as not to lose the sale.Speaking with people in restaurants, they commented that before the pandemic cash circulated much more, but then everyone had to ask for a posnet (some reluctantly) and in no case did they touch your card.All posnets are wireless and contactless even in the most remote town.In general they do not ask for the pin if the card is not European but it is convenient to take it.Thanks for the report, Nestor.I made in the last trips of 2019 and 2021 London and surroundings, Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, Greece with Santorini etc, Spain for several places, Belgium several cities, Munich, Vienna, several cities in Italy and only use cash for the free tours and some tipThe rest 99% card.99% of the trips only card I do not use cash and if a place asks I go to another place.In the last 10 years I travel for work and pleasure about 10 times a year and I have never found a place that does not accept cards, even magnets, I buy with a card, cash is not used, it is only for emergenciesI spent 3 weeks in Europe this year.In 3 days in London, I was surprised because I didn't have to change Euros x Pounds, all by card.But yes, in some places in Europe we need cash, for example for the tips of the free walking tours, occasional purchases in some itinerant markets in the towns.In some cases we even got on buses where the posnet was not, and they let us get on without paying because of this.Surprises that I got regarding places where they already receive cards: Donations in Churches (for example, the Cologne Cathedral, Germany), and we even saw (I don't remember the country) a musician in the corridor of a subway with a posnet to receive alms !In Prague a few years ago it was ALL cash.You had stores with ATMs inside but to always pay with the Only Cash sign.I was quite surprised at the time because I was coming from Budapest and a couple of other places that I didn't touch the efvo.I don't know if it will have changed.Enter your email addressIf you like it, you can help us with a coffee with MercadoPagos or BitcoinsYou can invite us for a coffee with MercadoPago or Bitcoin