Is it better to use card or cash abroad?

The main advantage of using a debit or credit card overseas is that you won't pay foreign transaction fees every time you spend. While many also won't charge fees for cash withdrawals, you will still usually be charged interest from the date of the transaction if you use a credit card.



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If your spending discipline breaks down when you use credit cards, cash may be a better choice while you let loose on vacation. No foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards charge an extra fee of up to 3% on purchases made outside the country, although you can find cards that don't.

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You might also notice that some small shops accept cards only for purchases above a certain amount, normally 10 euros. Also taxis usually take cards, but some do not or simply do not want to take anything other than cash. For these reasons, it is advisable to always carry a little bit of cash with you.

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European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

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Cash is usually withdrawn from automatic teller machines at bank branches. In addition, in Spain it is easy to find ATMs to withdraw cash in shopping centres and shopping areas, large urban centres and historic centres in small towns.

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While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors. It's also wise to carry an emergency fund with enough cash for a few days, just in case your card gets lost or stolen.

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So always keep some cash on hand in foreign currency, even if you plan to rely mostly on cards. Some European countries also accept US dollars as a second currency, so stuffing some green bucks into your wallet before heading out can prove useful.

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These fees can be avoided by choosing a bank account that doesn't charge fees and reimburses out-of-network ATM fees and by always withdrawing local currency from ATMs. Account holders can also ask their home bank if there are partner branches or in-network ATMs in the destination country or countries.

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Under post-Brexit rules, Spanish border officials can ask travellers to show that they have 'economic resources' to cover the cost of their trip. This amounts to €100 for each day of their trip. They must also possess a minimum of €900 for their whole stay.

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Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

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Deutsche Bank is the only major bank we found that charges no ATM fees in Spain. With regional banks, Bankinter will charge €0.50 while Banco Popular, Banco Pastor, Targobank and Caja Rural will charge €0.80. In contrast, BBVA charges the highest at €6 per withdrawal while ING's 12% fee can pile up very quickly.

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Wise is our best value travel money debit card for Spain. There's no fee to open a Wise account, and just a small delivery fee for your Wise card, with no minimum balance and no monthly charge.

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