Is it OK to use debit card in Italy?

In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.



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It's always wise to carry a small amount of cash for smaller cafes and restaurants, some public transport options, and taxis who may not accept credit card payments. We once visited the same restaurant 5 years in a row, only to discover each time that their card machine was out of order!

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In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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You hardly need any cash at all. You can use your credit or debit card wherever there is a PoS (point of sale) machine. Your card needs to be on the Mastercard or VISA international network to function.

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Almost every store and restaurant in Italy accepts credit or debit cards. Throughout Rome there are internationally connected ATMs on almost every street corner (tip: ATMs are popularly called Bancomat). Use them and you'll enjoy the exchange rate of your own bank, which will work in your favor.

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Chime (USA Only) Chime is a good debit card for international travel thanks to its no foreign transaction fees. Unlike multi-currency accounts like Revolut (which let you hold local currency), Chime uses the live exchange rate applied by VISA.

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You don't need to bring any cash. You might want to get 100 Euro from an ATM at the airport when you arrive in Italy and hit ATMs as needed throughout you trip. Consider getting larger sums to avoid the (roughly) $2 ATM fee everytime you use an ATM.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.

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Compared to many other countries in Europe and around the world, Italy remains a predominantly cash-driven society.

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