Currency and Credit Card Information for Your Trip to Europe

Euro Currency:

The following members of the European Union use the Euro currency: Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The independent states of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City, although not members of the union, use the Euro as their sole currency as well. The Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom have retained their unique monetary units for use within their borders. If traveling to one of these countries, keep in mind that the Euro cannot be used and you must obtain local currency for any purchases within these countries.

Credit Cards:

We suggest bringing at least two working credit cards. Visa® and MasterCard® are accepted most places in Europe. American Express® and Discover® are not commonly accepted. European credit cards all have an added security ‘chip’. With this in mind, bring at least one Visa® or MasterCard® that has a chip. If your Visa® or MasterCard® is not working in a shop where they display the Visa® or MasterCard® logo, explain that the shop must slide the card through the magnetic reader.

ATM Banks Cards:

We recommend the use of an ATM Bank Card for obtaining foreign currency while in Europe as this method typically offers the best exchange rates. Automatic teller machines (ATM's) are common and conveniently located in Europe. Many ATM cards can also be used as a credit card to make purchases.

Cash:

You will always want to carry a little cash, in the local currency, as many places will not accept credit cards for small purchases of less than the local equivalent of $25.

• Do not exchange or withdraw more cash than you need for a day or two as cash cannot be replaced or insured in the case of loss or theft!
• Do not use your ATM card for cash withdrawals more than twice in one day, as your card may not be returned after the third insert.
• Personal checks are not accepted in Europe.
• Hotels and services can only provide change in their local currency.

Traveler's Checks:

We do not recommend using Traveler's Checks. Due to the ease & availability of ATM machines and the increased fees to cash traveler's checks they are no longer as common or as readily accepted.