PIN with credit cards in Europe?

[fredandkell]

Am unsure if I need a PIN number with credit (not debit or ATM) cards in Europe as I’ve read conflicting reports. Can anyone who’s been recently comment on this? Thanks!

 

[Thorb73]

Hi, living in Germany I can tell you that quite often you will need your pin - depends highly on the shop. Sometimes you need to sign, sometimes you need pin and sometimes for small amounts you will need neither.

 

[LeslieG]

I specifically got a credit card with a PIN to use in Europe earlier this year, but I found that in all cases I used it, it automatically printed out a receipt for me to sign. I've since read that it might automatically trigger the signature because it's a US card, but I'm not certain. I did not end up using it in unattended machines, such as the train station. I assume my PIN would have worked in that scenario.

 

[PiperPilot]

Our recent experience is that we did not need to use a PIN for credit card charges. Typically at a store, when we pulled out the credit card, they would ask "Pin?" and we would say no. They pressed a button and the charge went through. We did this in Spain, France, and Italy. We used both Visa and AmEx credit cards (20 to 30 times). YMMV.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Also, double check with your bank/card provider. US cards can be treated differently than European other cards, just because the rules are different. As PP said, you might still just get the signature panel. It's still best to know your PIN, no matter what, though.

 

[OKW Lover]

We have traveled to Europe frequently over the past few years and never needed a pin for credit card purchases.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Our recent experience is that we did not need to use a PIN for credit card charges. Typically at a store, when we pulled out the credit card, they would ask "Pin?" and we would say no. They pressed a button and the charge went through. We did this in Spain, France, and Italy. We used both Visa and AmEx credit cards (20 to 30 times). YMMV.

I’m in Greece right now and have traveled throughout the country for the past three weeks. This has been exactly our experience. We’ve occasionally been asked “pin?. I say no and they’ve printed out a receipt for me to sign. I’m using a Chase Sapphire Visa.

 

[starvenger]

FYI, we use chip and pin in Canada as well so I would imagine that the process is the same as it is in Europe for those used to signing a slip.

 

[xiphoid76]

Most cards now in the USA have chip technology. There is a difference though between those cards in Europe - they are default chip/pin and the USA ones are chip/signature. Some have both capabilities. If you have both, your card will default to a chip/signature in USA and Europe where if a receipt can be printed out it will, and you will have to sign for your goods. If no receipt is available - such as a ticket machine at the train station then it will go to chip/pin and you will enter your pin number.

This can be tricky at times though because if a receipt can be printed it will - such as self-checkouts at the grocery stores in Europe where you will have to wait for someone to come over to print off a receipt.

Remember your card must have both chip/signature and chip/pin technology which not all USA cards have - ask your credit card provider.

 

[swimfin]

Am unsure if I need a PIN number with credit (not debit or ATM) cards in Europe as I’ve read conflicting reports. Can anyone who’s been recently comment on this? Thanks!

Hi! I just returned from France and Brussels ... no PIN needed. Germany is a bit different and you would probably need a PIN there. Cheers!

 

[rcchello]

I have recently been to Copenhagen, Berlin, and Vienna and my chip and signature card worked fine. In Germany there are many smaller establishments that will not take credit cards at all, so getting money at an ATM is best.

If possible stick to cards with no foreign transaction fee, on small purchases the fee can be a significant percent of the purchase.

 

[DahliaRW]

The only place we've ever had issues with our chip and pin card not working was for the subway in Sweden at a machine. Other than that, it defaulted to chip and signature every time.

 

[Van Houten]

The only place we've ever had issues with our chip and pin card not working was for the subway in Sweden at a machine. Other than that, it defaulted to chip and signature every time.

I've had similar experience. Whenever there is no human to collect the signature, US cards will not work. The best way around it is to use something like ApplePay (assuming that the subway system was enabled for it). It also avoids the hassle of dealing with slips and signatures at any other merchants.

 

[dvcdisney]

Our one and only experience during our trip to UK for our British Isle cruise, so take it as you will. We spend 2 days before and 2 days after the cruise in London.

When we didn't pay in cash, we used our cc+pin (we haven't had a cc without a pin in a long time so I didn't even think about it) and I don't recall signing anything. However, I will admit that they didn't always ask for a pin.

There was one location that was simply tap...I was somewhat surprised since no other place had it....but it could have been available in other locations and we just didn't notice.

 

[fredandkell]

Thanks, all, this has been very helpful. We were planning on using Euros/cash for most of our transactions, but I wanted to have a credit card as a backup. I was able to access my AMEX pin online but had to order one from Chase. Hopefully I won't need it but better safe than sorry!

 

[Van Houten]

I was able to access my AMEX pin online but had to order one from Chase.

Not sure if my information is completely up to date, but the majority of Chase-issued credit cards do not support EMV "chip and PIN". You may want to confirm with them what that PIN you are receiving is intended for.

 

[Girl of the South]

I have used a credit card in Europe and never been asked for a PIN. I don't have one . .

HOWEVER if you are asked if you want to pay in US Dollars SAY NO! It's better to have the charge in the local currency due to the fluctuation in exchange rates. Something called Dynamic Currency Conversion.

See this article in Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2014/07/30/pay-in-local-or-home-currency/#7f64fc2c3307