Do shops in Spain use chip & pin?

missile

capewell38 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I am going to Girona and was planning to use the wife's credit card (Santanda Zero) - hence using chip & PIN, but if I also need to shoe my passport it won't match. I'll probably take cash. Anyone know if sterling or Euros are best in Girona?

They are a little more careful when checking cards in spain than in UK. It unlikely they will allow you to use your wife's card. Best to use euros.

mnomis

Chip and Pin in Benidorm for all transactions that I made.

Even used the wifes prepaid card (with her name on it) and they didn't bat an eyelid as I put her pin in.

Gordon_Hose

luci wrote: »

Why are you concerned about showing a passport?

Because he would have been using his wife's credit card to make purchases.

Curt.

capewell38 wrote: »

I am going over and plan to buy some cigarettes (personal use only) from the Tobaccos shops.

Any particular reason, only it'd be cheaper duty free wouldn't it?

I buy certain types of flavored cigars from stores but only as you can't buy them elsewhere...

Do they use chip & pin or is it better to use cash - Euros or Sterling?

They have signature and chip and pin but it varies, higher end stores may not require either actually as they process it through a terminal from a wharehouse for things like tobacco and alcohol depending on where you go.

But rather than cash use TC's.

Cash for anonimity of course.

(Personal use, haaaaaaa....:rotfl:)

luci

Curt. wrote: »

Any particular reason, only it'd be cheaper duty free wouldn't it?


(Personal use, haaaaaaa....:rotfl:)

The is no such thing as Duty Free in the EU. It has been Duty Paid since around 1999 and is cheaper to buy locally in a shop than at the airport.

Why would it not be for Personal use?

Sharmaine

luci wrote: »

Why are you concerned about showing a passport?

As I said, I came back from Girona at the weekend, used my credit card for cigs 3 times and was never asked to show a passport.

Girona is in the EU, sterling is no use there, the local currency is euros.

It's popularly supposed that when 'tourists' use credit/debit card in Spain they need to show a passport. but in actual fact it's rare you're asked. You're more likely to be asked to show official ID if you're spanish citizen/resident as it's actually the law in that country to have official ID with you at all times. Anyway, back to the point, just any ID (driving licence) will do in case u are asked.

Saying that, I too have just arrived back from Girona, and used my debit card loads of times - wasn't asked for ID at all.

thecableguy12

wish the uk was as careful!