Two common mistakes UK tourists make can prevent you from paying in shops and restaurants in France, Spain and other destinations.
Tourists are being urged to do their homework on using digital payments in Europe this summer to avoid being left unable to pay. The UK is widely regarded as one of the most advanced countries when it comes to using bank cards or mobile payments for goods and services, and many citizens no longer carry cash.
But Britons traveling to the continent this summer are urged to plan ahead as the use of digital payments in some popular destinations is not as common. Saurabh Chawande of payment solutions expert myPOS said: “Many of us use our cards and mobile phones as an integral part of everyday life, paying for everything from half a liter of milk at the supermarket to booking a holiday. summer.
“In the UK, it is rare to find a restaurant or shop that does not accept digital payments, but it is not so simple in Europe. In some European countries, such as Austria, Germany and France, digital payments are not used as widely as in the UK and may not be accepted by some businesses.
“Therefore, it is highly recommended that we plan ahead to avoid disappointment and research our holiday destination and how widespread the use of digital payments is. If you visit a restaurant or retail store, be sure to ask the staff if they accept cards before purchasing something, especially if you don’t carry cash.
“While digital payments have made everyday transactions much more convenient, it is important not to assume that they are always available when traveling abroad.”
Many consumers find card payments to be a fast, convenient and secure way to purchase a variety of goods and services. Meanwhile, they benefit small and large businesses by improving cash flow management, reducing transaction times, and simplifying the transaction process.
The use of card payments is experiencing a sharp increase in countries that use the euro as their main currency, according to data from the European Central Bank. It revealed that the number of card payments soared by 15.6 percent to 36.5 billion in the first six months of 2023, compared to the first six months of 2022.
And while tourists are urged to do their homework on their destinations before traveling, there’s another key step that shouldn’t be forgotten either. Saurabh Chawande added, “Preparing for a vacation involves a lot of planning and tasks to complete before even leaving home.
“And it is important not to forget a simple but very important measure that we must take to be able to use our cards abroad. It may be necessary to inform your bank that you are traveling abroad, as some cards will have automatic anti-fraud blocks if someone tries to use them in a different country.
“It can be as simple as logging into your bank account online or through the official app and authorizing the use of your cards in Europe. This can avoid embarrassing situations where your bank blocks your card because you haven’t told them you’re traveling, which could leave you with a financial headache when you’re supposed to be enjoying a well-deserved break.”
