Chip Cards in Europe

“Smart cards,” also known as “chip and PIN cards,” are increasingly commonplace in Europe. Such cards incorporate microchips that are programmed with user information and security data. Normally, you’ll need to enter a four-digit Personal Identification Number, or PIN, when you make a purchase. This makes it tougher for thieves to use stolen cards or card numbers.

Most European merchants can swipe older, cheaper magnetic-stripe cards, such as Visa and MasterCards from the U.S. and Canada, but such cards may not work everywhere. In France, for example, magnetic-stripe cards aren’t recognized by newer railroad ticket machines and self-service gasoline pumps.

We switched our Visa, MasterCard and Bank cards over to the new chip version before we left Canada and so far every merchant that we’ve used plastic at has been via the chip and not the mag strip. On the one occasion where we tried to use an Amex (with no chip) the transaction got declined. Apparently with Amex, you are supposed to wait for the pin to time out or request the merchant to specify no pin when entering the transaction. Save yourself the frustration and bring at least 1 chip card before leaving North America.