Things to Know About Using Chip Cards in Europe

The United States is finally catching on and slowly but surely chip-enabled credit and debit cards are making their way into wallets around the country.

But it’s not universal yet, and the process of using your chip-less card in Europe, where chip readers are universal, can be confusing and complicated.

First, there are two types of chip cards: “Chip-and-PIN, which require users to enter a four-digit PIN for verification, and chip-and-signature, which require you to sign, no PIN necessary,” according to a Discover website on the topic. Europe’s default is chip-and-pin, while most U.S. cards are chip-and-signature.

That presents a bit of a problem. You’ll be fine using your chip-and-signature card in card readers in Europe as long as there’s a cashier or attendant present on the other end so they can present you with a receipt to sign. If not, your card may not work. Discover has some tips for working around this, which you can brush up on before you go. For example, you should call your credit card company and be fully aware of your card’s functionality, including whether there is a pin option in case you run into an unmanned payment kiosk.

If you don’t have a chip card at all, the magnetic strip on your card will get you pretty far, still. You can use it as long as you’re in major areas where there is a cashier present. Otherwise, be prepared by carrying enough cash to get you through your trip.

And the good news is chip-and-pin cards are becoming more and more available in the United States, so you may already have one or be able to acquire one before you travel.