Debit Cards not working abroad

searcher30

I have a few credit or debit cards and am in France at the moment. Sometimes they work at the retailers and sometimes they don't. Any idea what they might be doing this?
I have ordered a new Delta card (with Abbey) to see if getting a new one with them would help but my Nationwide card (best way for withdrawal abroad as no fees is now playing up).
Any recommendations? has anyone had any similar experience?
Thanks in advance

vwman_3

My Halifax debit card worked fine in Canada and the USA a couple of weeks back.......

MPH80

The original french C&P system was older than ours and thus works to a slightly different specification.

They are upgrading to the EMV spec - but that doesn't mean all terminals will work with the new EMV chips.

To give an example - when I got my first C&P card in 2004 - I went to France under the impression (from the C&P website) that NO French terminals would yet accept my PIN.

However, the hotel I stayed in happily utilised it with the PIN - apparently they were among the first to be upgraded.

So that's probably the reason. But I would have expected it to accept you as a signature card instead - so I am surprised you're having trouble.

M.

SamC_4

I've had intermittent problems with Nationwide debit card in ATMs recently, in Greece, France, and New Zealand. It seems to be machines from a particular bank that fail, e.g. Piraeus Bank in Greece never worked, even though it displayed the Cirrus logo and worked with a different debit card.

heppy23

I have found things a bit hit and miss in cyprus.
Had to try my visa electron and link card in different machines to get money.
Could never remember which worked where though.