Some basic things to know before using your credit card in Italy

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

With the introduction of chip cards, you might encounter some problems when using your credit card in Italy. While in the States a signature is required, in Europe they prefer a PIN number instead. To be on the safe side, contact your bank and ask if your card has a PIN number, and if it doesn’t, ask how you can get one. Also, don’t take it for granted that your credit card will be accepted everywhere. In Italy, the most popular credit cards are Visa and MasterCard, more than AmEx. Italians still use cash as their main form of payment, followed by debit cards. Major establishments do accept credit cards, but you better double check before making any purchase. Usually, a sticker on the door or window of the store will tell you if and which cards can be used, although you can always just ask someone who works there.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 11 “Banks and currency information” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}