How much cash can you take with you on a trip?
It is of course very smart to take cash with you when traveling. This way you don’t have to pay by debit card abroad, you can do that at home in advance. According to the tax authorities you only need to file a tax return if you take € 10,000 or more abroad. We assume that you do not need that much money on holiday. Of course it is smart to ask yourself whether you think it is safe to travel with a lot of cash. To make this assessment, you can, for example, inquire whether you have a safe at your accommodation.
Can I pay by debit card abroad?
You don’t want to take that much cash with you, do you? In more and more countries it is possible to withdraw and pay with a Dutch debit card. However, it is good to keep in mind that this is not always and everywhere possible. When you eat at a small, local restaurant in the evening, the restaurant owner can inform you afterwards that he can’t do anything with your debit card. Or that he only accepts cash at all. What are you doing then?
First of all, it is therefore smart to take a cash amount with you when you go out for dinner. It is also wise to take a credit card with you when traveling. This is often accepted. If you don’t have a credit card, you can go for a prepaid credit card with a fixed amount on it.
Pin in a euro country
Withdrawing money in euro countries is free, unless the bank also charges extra costs from residents of the country. This is happening in Germany, Greece, Austria and Spain. The costs are often notified in advance on the device.
Destinations without euros
When you go on holiday to a country with a currency other than the euro, there are still a few things to take into account. It can happen that you pay unnecessarily too much.
If you are going to pay by card, it is important to choose to pay in the local currency. Your own bank then calculates the exchange rate. This is a lot cheaper.
Withdrawing money in a country with a different currency can sometimes cost extra money. You then pay a small amount extra per transaction. It is therefore not smart to always withdraw small amounts. It is cheaper to withdraw a larger amount in one go.
Some more quick tips:
- Do you want to order foreign currency in advance? Then compare exchange rates and costs at different money exchange offices. This can save a lot of money.
- Do you lose your debit card on vacation? Have it blocked immediately. If you think it’s stolen, have it blocked and report it.
- Check in advance whether your bank has payment limits for your destination.
- Are you traveling outside Europe? Check in advance whether you need to activate your debit card for worldwide coverage.
- When withdrawing money abroad, always make sure that you have received the entire amount before you walk away.
Do you get lost on holiday and do you not have internet on your phone? This trick offers a solution:
Source: Well-informed circles