Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.
A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.
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Are you planning a trip to Austria and wondering if your credit card will be accepted there? Indeed, whether or not your credit card will be accepted overseas can be a central concern for many travellers about to embark on an international trip. After all, not all countries have the same level of credit card acceptance, so it's very helpful to understand credit card acceptance policies and trends before you travel.
But what about Austria? Can you use your credit card there? The short answer is yes , you can use your credit card in Austria. Credit cards are widely-used across Austria and are a popular means of payment in shops, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.
Wise is a great alternative to credit cards when travelling to Austria, offering competitive exchange rates, low fees, and real-time spending notifications.
Whether you're planning a trip to Austria or simply curious about credit card acceptance policies in different parts of the world, this article is for you. We'll look at credit card acceptance in Austria and cover the payment methods that are commonly accepted, as well as any fees that you may incur for each.
Yes, almost everywhere
Heading to Austria soon? Don't forget to check the following list before you travel:
Wise is usually a far cheaper alternative to using your credit card in Austria. Fair use limits and weekend surcharges may apply.
Yes, pretty much all shops, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial establishments in Austria will readily accept credit card payments — making it a great way to spend your money in Austria.
Although cash is also very common in Austria, credit and debit cards issued by major global providers like VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted thoughout the country. If your card is issued by American Express, Diner's Club, Discovery, or another card company, there's a good chance they'll also be accepted in Austria, but we recommend checking with your bank or card provider directly to make sure that euro currency conversion is indeed supported, and that card machines and ATMs in Austria commonly support cards of this type.
Using your credit card in Austria works just like it does in your home country. In general, you'll simply need to do the following to use your card to make a payment:
In general, we recommend keeping your receipt for your records and reconciling your credit card statement. It can sometimes be interesting to see how much you paid in a foreign currency versus the amount that was debited in your home currency. As we'll see in the next section, the percentage difference can sometimes be very high!
Every time you pay with your credit card in a foreign currency like the euro, you'll be charged several fees before the final amount is reflected on your card statement. These fees are charged by the following parties:
Here are the average ranges of these various fees when making euro credit card payments in Austria:
FX Margin (Credit Card)
FX Margin (Bank/Provider)
Foreign Exchange Fee
Foreign ATM Fee
Overall, unless your credit card is specially geared towards international spending and doesn't charge foreign currency exchange fees, using credit cards to pay in Austria is normally rather pricey due to the multiple fees and charges racked up along the way. As always, though, we recommend checking with your individual card provider or bank to see for yourself which fees you'll be charged for spending in Austria.
A cheaper alternative to using a credit card for travelling to Austria is a prepaid travel debit card.
Just like credit cards, prepaid debit cards (which are also normally issued by VISA or Mastercard) provide an excellent way to pay while visiting Austria, the main difference being that you normally pay lower fees and exchange rates . Depending on where you live, you'll probably have options from your bank or a third-party provider to use a commission-free debit card or a multi-currency card which can help you dodge high euro conversion costs, including DCCs.
According to our analysis of dozens of providers, the top two options for travelling to Austria, in general, are the following:
The Wise Account is another great option for paying in euro. It gives you the lowest possible currency exchange rates with complete transparency and no hidden fees. It also allows you to hold and manage over 50 currencies in one account and provides fast and secure cross-border money transfers at a fraction of the cost of traditional banks.
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Revolut is an excellent option for paying in Austria. Its mobile banking app and debit card give you competitive exchange rates to the euro and low fees, all while you can easily manage your money through Revolut's user-friendly app.
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Yes, pretty much all shops, restaurants, businesses, and commercial establishments in Austria do accept credit cards. However, we recommend checking with the vendor beforehand to ensure that they accept your specific type of credit card.
Credit cards from major card companies like VISA, Mastercard, and American Express are generally always accepted in Austria. However, it's important to remember that acceptance may vary depending on the individual business, so checking in advance is a good idea.
Unless your credit card is designed for international spending, it's likely that you'll incur exchange rate margins and currency conversion fees when using your credit card in Austria. In general, these fees range from 2.5% to 5% per transaction, so it's not negligible! To save money, we recommend using a travel debit card like Wise to avoid hidden fees altogether.
Both are commonly-accepted forms of payment in Austria, so it depends on your preference and the specific circumstances. Credit cards can be a convenient and safe way to make purchases, but having cash on hand is always a good idea, especially if you plan to visit less touristy areas. Moreover, some businesses prefer that customers pay with cash to avoid the processing fees of card transactions.
You must report your lost or stolen credit card to your bank or credit card provider immediately. They can help you cancel the card and issue a replacement. Additionally, having a backup credit card or cash in emergencies is also a good idea for moments like these.
