Which countries do not allow credit card payments? (2024)

FAQs

Why Germans don t use credit cards? ›

According to recent statistics, 76% of Germans opt for debit cards as their primary payment method, while only 24% prefer credit cards. This stark contrast is mainly due to Germany's cultural aversion to credit-based financial systems.

Because merchants pay commissions to credit-card companies, small European businesses (B&Bs, mom-and-pop cafés, gift shops, and more) often prefer that you pay in cash. Vendors might offer you a discount for paying with cash, or they might not accept credit cards at all.

European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

Norways is the most cashless country, with only around 2% of payments being made by cash, and 100% of the population having a bank account.

VISA and Mastercard were among hundreds of Western companies that halted their operations in Russia due to the sanctions precipitated by the war in Ukraine. Their existing cards issued by Russian banks can only be used inside the country until they reach their expiry dates, as they will not be renewed.

According to survey data from the World Bank – which stems from 2021, due to a three-year survey released in the summer of 2022 – Canada, Israel, and Iceland were the only countries with credit card ownership higher than 74 percent.

You can get a credit or debit card that functions on the Visa and Mastercard networks as well as on the “Cartes Bancaires” (CB) network in France. More than 95% of CB cards are Visa or Mastercard co-branded, which makes card processing easier. Learn more about Cartes Bancaires cards.

Not all countries use credit scores to assess a debtor's creditworthiness. Japan, the Netherlands, and Spain rely on factors like one's income, repayment history, and length of employment to determine creditworthiness.

Can I Use My Credit Card Internationally? International merchants with credit card terminals will almost always accept Visa or Mastercard, issuers with strong international payment networks.

In conclusion

Still, some merchants do not want to pay the swipe fees associated with processing the credit card transactions. It's generally a good idea to keep more than one form of payment in your wallet in case you engage with a business that does not accept credit cards.

Is credit card accepted worldwide? ›

Credit cards are widely accepted in most parts of the world, which is great for those who want to maximize rewards on their trips abroad. Not only do many cards offer generous rewards on travel spending, but they also provide convenience and an added layer of protection in case your trip doesn't go as planned.