I read recently that France is converting their ATM system to allow only cards with computer chips imbedded in them. They're supposedly phasing out the magnetic strip kind of card. Does anyone know anything about this? We're going to France this coming fall, and always rely heavily on getting all our cash out of the machines.

I've heard this for years, but it hasn't happened yet. The only problem you should have is inability to use self-service gas pumps, as they do require credit cards with microchips. Last summer I asked Citibank if/when they were planning to add the chips and was told that no one was even talking about it...so it will certainly be a while unless something drastic happens.

My wife works for Visa. She says that it is not likely that Visa will allow millions of tourists to go to France and not be able to use their Visa card.

Underhill is correct on using the self-service pumps. But to clarify it more, he is actually talking about self-service punps where you insert your card into the pump. He is not referring to where you pump the gas, and then hand your card to the cashier to process.

Stu Dudley

Stu Dudley

You will continue to be able to use non-chip card to get cash out of ATM and pay for goods in stores. The only place where you may have problems is self-service pump and some ticket machines, where there isn't an operator to swipe your card.
France has had chip cards for over 10 years and their system isn't compatible with the more modern international standard that is being introduced elsewhere. France is slowly updating their terminals and software, but it will be a few years before all service points are converted.

What about in Belgium? I was told the same thing about Belgium and we are headed there in the fall.

Almost 100% of French terminals are now able to take global EVM standard of chip and pin (smart) card. It's very similar in Belgium. So you can use your non-chip card in ATMs and wherever there is an operator to swipe your card. The only place where you can't use it is automatic gas/diesel pump and some ticket machines.

Bank/ATM/Debit cards throughout Europe are slowly converting to using a chip rather than a magnetic strip. It is aimed more at paying in shops than ATMs at the moment. The aim is to stop skimmers.

Eventually Europeans will need to ask for a separate card for visiting the US, and vice versa I suspect. Such is progress.

Yet again, the United States is behind the rest of the world. Most other countries have converted to pin and chip cards. The US seems to consider itself a law unto itself. When are they going to introduce $1 an $2 coins? When are they going to convert to the metric system? When are they going to introduce gun control to stop the 30000 murders by guns that they have to put up with. The list goes on.

I'm from Canada. My new ATM card has a chip, which I have not tried to use in Europe yet. My VISA card also has a chip, which I tried in London and it worked fine.

I'm assuming our ATM machines must also be headed towards chip and pin technology

<i>The US seems to consider itself a law unto itself. When are they going to introduce $1 an $2 coins? When are they going to convert to the metric system? When are they going to introduce gun control to stop the 30000 murders by guns that they have to put up with.</i>

When are you going to pay for your own defense? When are you going to have a stable currency? When are you going to learn how to integrate minorities into your culture? When are you going to stop blaming the U.S. for everything?

As for the ATMs. I travel in France and Belgium often with no problems.

MikeT you may not have problems now but you may well have soon as the European banks switch ATM cards to chip rather than magnetic strip.
ATMs and payment points in shops are gradually be changed to accept only the new chip debit/ATM card.

almcd:

The USA has $1 coins in circulation. Well, at least *available* for circulation. Too many residents claim they confuse the dollar coins with quarters, despite the facts that the dollars are tinted golden, and are larger. Some claim the coins are part of a socialist or communist plot against the very fabric of our society, because they don't have the motto "In God We Trust" on them -- when, in fact, they DO have that motto.

We don't commonly use dollar coins because too many retailers refuse to update their cash registers with tills that have a bin for the coins, and too many vending machines still don't accept them (but do have bill acceptors).

We don't commonly use dollar coins because they might cause our pants to sag from their excessive weight (like many of us are carrying that much change around, anyway). And we don't use dollar coins even though they can circulate for decades, while dollar bills must be replaced every six months on average -- thus costing us more money to produce.

We don't commonly use dollar coins just because we aren't in the habit of using them, and too many of us just aren't interested in changing our habits, even when the change will do us good!

I am among the subversives of our society. I use dollar coins, even when I'm laughed at by cashiers who don't believe they are actually official currency of this country.

" Yet again, the United States is behind the rest of the world. Most other countries have converted to pin and chip cards. The US seems to consider itself a law unto itsef. When are they going to introduce $1 an $2 coins? When are they going to convert to the metric system? When are they going to introduce gun control to stop the 30000 murders by guns that they have to put up with."
Please let me answer a this even though it is off topic. The US does have 1 dollar coins, 2 dollar bills and has tried to adopt the metric system in the 1970's. All were met with resistance. As for gun control, if you break into my house I would rather defend my family with my .45 than with my wooden spoon. ziggypop

Ziggy...
Canada went throught it in the seventies and survived. We also cancelled the $1 bill..then introduced the loonie. Later the $2 bill replaced by toonie, and no problems. Our retailers, vending machines all adjusdted,

I trust the Aemrican people can also.

Statistically...is there a such a wave of break-ins and attacks on home owners that Americans needs guns to defend their homes? Stats?

I guess Canada must be radically different because I know of no one needing to defend their homes here. Yes, I do know two people who had their homes broken into.

I've never had a problem using an ATM card, which is the least expensive way to get cash as long as you withdraw in large amounts. For large purchases, it's usually better to use a credit card, which should work fine.

If you drive, don't try to pay your toll with a U.S. card - it won't work and you'll have an angry line behind you. Look for the cash lanes.

Think you need to have a 4-digit PIN in Europe, so if you have more now you may want to change it.

daboldin, check out CarolM's trip report on France. There is some useful information on getting cash out of a machine. Sorry for going off topic in my last post. I hope you have a wonderful time and that you leave a trip report. ziggypop

ziggypop: Here is the report you <i>meant</i> to link:

fodors.com/community/europe/5-incredible-days-in-paris-with-lots-of-detail.cfm

If you check the date of Daboden's post you'll see he went on his
trip 5 years ago!

immimi: Yes - but we are now helping jck123_123 who topped this a few days ago w/ his own question . . . .

One thing I don't like about the euro is coins for 1 and 2 euro denominations. They do load down the pockets if you end up with a bunch of them for one reason or another, plus the clanking as you walk along.