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Hi All,
We are visiting the area from Jan to March next year and we are wondering which is the best way to bring money with us.
I am looking at pre-paid debit cards for using in the local supermarkets, restaurants & bars. Does anyone know if these are widely accepted in the area? I don't want to be visiting the ATM every few days if possible to avoid exchange rate fees.
Any help/suggestions gratefully received!
Thank you,
Helen.
Posted: Wed Dec 4, 2024 11:39pm
Legendary helpful member
You could use Revolut or Wise - both give physical cards which are recognized and useable in virtually all shops
DarioMartin wrote on Wed Dec 4, 2024 11:39pm:
You could use Revolut or Wise - both give physical cards which are recognized and useable in virtually all shops
Revolut also can be installed on a smartphone and used by taping the phone at the pay point. This works everywhere that accepts Debit cards, including ATM's.
Depending on your account there are usually no fees charged by Revolut, but a lot of banks ATM's will charge anything up to 2.90€ for cash withdrawals. I have on occasion used the card for small purchases as low as 1.90€ and not been charged for using the card.
A transfer of funds from your bank account can be done all on a smartphone, if you have a banking app installed.
It can usually take 24 hours to see the transfer, on weekends it could take up to 48
For Security, you can use the biometric settings, which will require facial recognition or thumb print.
Never used Wise, so I do not know how it works, I'm guessing it similar.
Posted: Thu Dec 5, 2024 8:24pm
I think pretty much everyone has contactless now, not sure I used cash at all last time I visited.
Posted: Fri Dec 6, 2024 11:58am
DarioMartin wrote on Wed Dec 4, 2024 11:39pm:
You could use Revolut or Wise - both give physical cards which are recognized and useable in virtually all shops
Thank you.
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Posted: Fri Dec 6, 2024 11:59am
Airtaine wrote on Thu Dec 5, 2024 9:09am:
Revolut also can be installed on a smartphone and used by taping the phone at the pay point. This works everywhere that accepts Debit cards, including ATM's.
Depending on your account there are usually no fees charged by Revolut, but a lot of banks ATM's will charge anything up to 2.90€ for cash withdrawals. I have on occasion used the card for small purc...
Read more...
...hases as low as 1.90€ and not been charged for using the card.
A transfer of funds from your bank account can be done all on a smartphone, if you have a banking app installed.
It can usually take 24 hours to see the transfer, on weekends it could take up to 48
For Security, you can use the biometric settings, which will require facial recognition or thumb print.
Never used Wise, so I do not know how it works, I'm guessing it similar.
Thank you for you comprehensive reply.
Posted: Fri Dec 6, 2024 11:59am
Aaron wrote on Thu Dec 5, 2024 8:24pm:
I think pretty much everyone has contactless now, not sure I used cash at all last time I visited.
Thank you.
Posted: Mon Dec 9, 2024 8:10am
DarioMartin wrote on Wed Dec 4, 2024 11:39pm:
You could use Revolut or Wise - both give physical cards which are recognized and useable in virtually all shops
Hi Dario,
We are moving over in January and have Monza cards, will they work do you know please?
Thanks Adam
Posted: Mon Dec 9, 2024 8:40am
Legendary helpful member
Adam Zana WHUTD wrote on Mon Dec 9, 2024 8:10am:
Hi Dario,
We are moving over in January and have Monza cards, will they work do you know please?
Read more...
Thanks Adam
It depends on who carries them. If it’s Mastercard / Visa it shouldn’t be a problem. If it’s American Express, forget it.
Not recommended if you like to use cash though as it has very restrictive withdrawal and deposit limits
Have a Spanish bank account with Debit and Credit cards but always use cash unless know place .
Generally use Eurochange in UK so bring out some cash and use Debit card in own Bank in Spain.
Have never put a banking app on phone. Might be old fashioned but consider too risky and having all your eggs in one basket.
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