Pin numbers in France and Germany
 

Sorry if this has been asked before. I have a credit card with a six digit pin number. Do French and German ATMs accept 6 digit pins?

There have been reports that 4 digit numbers are better. I hope that you mean your ATM card. It makes no sense to withdraw money with a credit card because of the quick accumulation of interest on the borrowed money.

Do not use a credit card to withdraw money. You will pay a fee, the interest rate will be like that from the mob and the machine may not accept it.

Get a debit card, two is better. If you can join a credit union, do so, as many of these have no fees on foreign ATM withdrawals. Do not get a straight ATM card.

Be certain to inform your financial institution(s) that you will be in Europe and when, otherwise they may block your account. This is for both debit and credit cards.

I agree! Never use a credit card to get money. It's a cash advance and the interest rates are nuts. Get a debit card that uses visa or any of the other large payment processors.

davesl, why are you saying don't get a "straight ATM card"? I have one, it works perfectly fine, including in Europe, what's wrong with it? I don't want a debit card as I never would use one for purchases anyway, and there is less security as it can be used without a PIN.

>I don't want a debit card as I never would use one for purchases anyway, and there is less security as it can be used without a PIN.

What do you mean, a debit card without PIN? How is it supposed to work then?

Christina, please let me borrow YOUR debit card then....I need some new clothes, food, a new car, etc....Thanks.

Hi AD and Du,

In the US debit cards can be used just as if they were CC's. No PIN is needed.

((I))

Hi VB,

I have an ATM only card with a 4 digit PIN.

I have been told by others that the ATM will only record the first 4 digits of your PIN.

It isn't hard to change your PIN for the time that you will be in Europe.

((I))

Even with a 6 didget pin will it work if the first 4 numbers are correct? I ask here because it is so difficult with my finacial institution to get the right person to answer specialized questions.

Sorry this is not a straight answer to the question asked but on Tripadvisor Prague forum, there was a question about PIN. Some local or DE (destination expert) answered 4-digit PIN is the norm in Prage. I posted then saying my 6 digit PIN worked fine in my multiple visits in last 4 years. Somebody else backed it up. He said Prague (or Czech) bank system had changed in last years (he seemed to be in the know.) and accepted 6 digits now. France and Germany are not like that yet?

I always change my 6-digit pin to a 4-digit before I go overseas. It's all so easy to do online/at the ATM now, why risk not being able to get money when you need it the most?

6-PIN is the norm in Switzerland where I live. I have not really paid attention to how it is in other European countries. As I wrote above, 6-digit works fine in Prague. It worked in Spain too. Italy and France, I don't remember as I have not used my debit card often there. My stays there are always like 3 - 4 days and I usually have enough € cash for that duration of stay.

Thanks to everyone. Yes, I did mean an debit card and not a credit card.