Will Debit Cards with 6 digit pin work in Europe (Austria/Italy/Swiss). My local bank says yes, I will have no problems, but various postings in this forum say the opposite. What is the reality. Would appreciate some response on this.

They use a 4 digit (number) system in ATMs in Europe, so only 4 digits can be entered.

Hi D,

You will be better off changing your PIN to 4 digits.

If your bank won't let you, get another ATM card with a bank that will.


Did the person who told you it was OK ever use an ATM card with a 6-digit PIN in Europe?

I used to have a 6-digit PIN and likewise was told by a representative at my bank that it would be fine overseas. It wasn't. If it were me, I'd much rather be safe than sorry! ira has given you a good recommendation.

Also, keep in mind that the keypads in Europe will be digits only (no alphabet over the numbers like here in the States), so if you have your PIN memorized as a word, you'll need to memorize its numeric equivalent, too.

Thanks for your response. I was told by the bank's rep that the 6 digit pin would be fine in Europe. Now I will have to think of other alternatives.

At one time, it is quite true that a 4-digit pin was required. It is claiomed that changed a few years ago, at least according to what I've read. Now I've never had a chance to test that theory. So if I could, I would see if I can switch to a 4-digit pin.

I'm xyz123 and I approved this message.

Call the bank back - you may get a better informed agent that will help you.

All the ATM's I've used here in the UK and across Europe allow for a 4 digit pin only. I've never seen one with romm on the screen for 6 digits.

Def 4 digits! Last year my ATM card didn't work in Italy and had to use the very expensive money exchanges.

Is there any place where we can only use cash and not credit cards (Other than purchase of petty items) ?

DennisA - there will be lots of places that only take cash. Many family run businesses, hotels etc will only take cash so you will need to bring some. You may want to confirm with your hotel if you can pay by credit card, there may be an additional fee to use your card.

Unfortunately, people in banks seem to be extremely misinformed about using ATMs, debit cards, and credit cards internationally.

Hi DA,

>Is there any place where we can only use cash...

I've not yet met a person in business who refused cash.

Are you planning on walking around with several thousand Euro in order to avoid getting a different ATM card?

Denis - Does your bank require 6 digit PINs, or can you go with 4? Our banks give you a choice, with 4 as a minimum. The easiest thing to do is just change your PIN to 4 digits.

"Is there any place where we can only use cash and not credit cards?"

Hmmm. I translate that to mean "are there places that ONLY take cash and don't take credit cards?" In other words the poster wants to know if a lot of cash will be necessary, not that they WANT to use cash only. NO, Ira???

NeoP - NeoPatrick, tks for the translation and Ira, sorry for my poor english. And thanks for all the responses.

Eh, everybody else knew what you meant

Four digits certainly isn't a Europe-wide limit...

Some eight years ago now, our Italian bank issued us with ATM cards with FIVE digit pins and both those - and also ones from companies that offer the "preloaded" version - are fine with ATMs in this country... as are UK cards with the 4 numeral PINs most commonly used there!

Peter

Bank says yes, bank says fine, bank says should work. I have heard them all. Bank has no liability but everything to gain by behaving this way.

By saying "fine" the bank avoids spending support time (meaning cost to them) setting up a 4-digit PIN.

1. If the 6-digit PIN does work, the bank comes ahead by not spending time changing to 4 digit PIN.
2. If the 6-digit PIN does NOT work, the bank has no liability. They would say they are sorry (yeah) it happened to you. They managed to postpone doing work. Not only that they have nothing but upside in their favor. If the customer decides not doing anything about the non functional 6-digit PIN, the bank avoided providing service. If the 6-digit PIN worked, the bank again avoided providing service. It is only if it does not work and if the customer complains to the bank with evidence, the bank needs to provide service.

Yes, there are many places in Europe that are cash-only. I encounter it all the time, at least in the UK and Ireland. Not all cultures are as credit-card-reliant as we are. B&Bs, restaurants, pubs - many may not be set up for CC.