Europe and the U.S. without cash: Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and contactless in every situation
Europe and the U.S. without cash: how to use Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and contactless, and when it still pays to carry cash.
In short
- Contactless is the standard in Europe and the U.S.
- Set up your wallet and test it while still in Brazil
- Bring a credit card for hotels and car rentals
- Always pay in the local currency
- Germany and Austria still often require cash
- Cash is only for small exceptions
Contactless is now the default, and cash has become Plan B
Across most of Europe and the U.S., tapping your phone or card is now the standard way to pay. You do it on the London Underground, on buses in Amsterdam, at a café in Rome, at a pharmacy in Lisbon, and even at neighborhood markets in New York. In many places, especially in the UK and the Nordic countries, spending a full day with EUR 0 or USD 0 in your pocket is completely realistic. The friction usually shows up when a traveler arrives with large bills, like EUR 50, and tries to pay for a EUR 1,50 espresso or a EUR 2,80 transit ticket. Small businesses may not have change, or may simply prefer contactless payment. In practice, your phone has replaced your wallet for purchases from EUR 3 to EUR 300 with remarkable ease. On transit systems, charges are almost immediate. In cafés and shops, the terminal is often already turned toward you, ready for you to tap. Even so, traveling 100% cash-free is still not a universal rule. Street markets, temporary stalls, public restrooms, coat checks, and some cash tips are still part of the picture. If you want to understand when it makes sense to bring a global account card, a credit card, and a little cash, it is worth pairing this guide with money, exchange rates, and cards abroad. The safest setup today is simple: wallet on your phone as your first option, a physical card as backup, and cash only for exceptions.
Set everything up in Brazil, test it first, and travel with two active payment methods
The most common mistake is trying to set up Apple Pay or Google Wallet at the airport, with unstable internet and authentication failures. Do it in Brazil, at least 7 days in advance. First add your global account card, such as Wise or Nomad, then add an international credit card. That way, you are covered for everyday purchases and for situations where only credit works. Turn on real-time notifications in your bank app, enable biometric authentication on your phone, and confirm that your bank’s security token is active. Without that, the card may appear in your wallet but fail the first time you use it. Test it with a small purchase, around R$ 10 to R$ 30, at a pharmacy, supermarket, or bakery. If possible, do a second test with the physical card from the same account to confirm both are working. It is also smart to save a second card in your wallet for redundancy. On a 10 to 15 day trip, that small detail can save you hours with customer support. If you are still deciding which card to add to your digital wallet, compare fees, exchange rates, and acceptance in Wise, Nomad, or your bank card abroad. And do not forget the basics: your phone needs battery, internet, and a working screen lock. It sounds obvious, but a wallet without battery is completely useless.
Europe, country by country: where cash has faded, and where it still helps to carry EUR 50 to 100
In the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, cash use has dropped so much that many places operate card-only. Pubs, museums, markets, and transit accept contactless almost universally. In London, you can board the Tube and the bus simply by tapping your card or phone, no physical ticket needed. In France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, acceptance is also very high in restaurants, app-based taxis, supermarkets, pharmacies, and attractions, but markets, food stalls, and small businesses may still ask for coins or set an informal card minimum, such as EUR 5 or EUR 10. The main exception is still Germany and Austria. Berlin has improved a lot, but traditional restaurants, neighborhood bars, and some bakeries still prefer cash. In Vienna, the situation is similar in smaller businesses. That is why it makes sense to carry about EUR 50 to EUR 100 per person for 5 to 7 days in those regions, in small bills like EUR 10 and EUR 20. It is not for constant use, it is so you do not get stuck. If you are finalizing your itinerary and paperwork at the same time, also review the documents you need to travel to Europe, because having payments sorted out does not make up for boarding unprepared.
In the U.S., cards rule, but hotels and rental cars require real credit
In the United States, cards and mobile wallets cover almost everything: a USD 4 coffee, the subway, groceries, pharmacies, museums, Uber, outlets, tickets, and meals. The practical difference compared with Europe is tipping. At sit-down restaurants, a 15% to 20% tip is generally expected and usually added through the terminal or charged to your card. On a USD 80 dinner, that brings the total to somewhere between USD 92 and USD 96 before any local tax, which in many states appears separately on the receipt. At coffee shops and counters, the terminal may also suggest automatic tips of 10%, 15%, or 20%. The real point of attention is different: hotels and rental agencies usually place a hold on your card, a security pre-authorization. In general, this can range from USD 100 to USD 500 at a hotel, or more for a car rental, depending on the category and the number of days. That hold almost always requires a credit card, not debit and not a global account card. For that reason, travel with at least one card that has a solid available limit, in addition to your wallet. If you want to set this up properly, a custom-designed trip helps align your itinerary, bookings, and payment setup with the standards of each destination, so you are not discovering an important rule at check-in.
Smart details that help you avoid unnecessary fees and card terminal declines
Whenever the card terminal asks you to choose between BRL and the local currency, choose the local currency, EUR, GBP, or USD. Dynamic currency conversion, known as DCC, is almost always the worse deal. Instead of letting your bank handle the conversion at settlement or through the normal card processing flow, the terminal applies its own rate, which usually makes the transaction more expensive by a few percentage points. On a 200 euro purchase, that difference can mean R$ 40 to R$ 100 more, depending on the day’s exchange rate and the fee applied. Another golden rule: withdraw cash only in an emergency and, ideally, from a bank ATM, not a generic street or airport ATM, which tends to charge higher local fees. Carry cash only for markets, small businesses, public restrooms, station lockers, and occasional tips. For a 7 to 10 day city trip, around EUR 50 in Western Europe or USD 40 in the U.S. is usually enough as a backup. It is also wise to keep one physical card outside your main wallet, in the hotel safe or in a separate compartment. And before you leave Brazil, check your mobile connection and banking app authentication, because without internet some security verifications become impossible. If that part is still pending, see our guide on internet abroad: eSIM, SIM card, or roaming, since digital payments depend on an entire ecosystem working together.
Frequently asked questions
Do Apple Pay and Google Wallet work everywhere in Europe?
They work across much of Europe, especially on transit, in retail chains, cafés, and supermarkets. The main exceptions are markets, kiosks, and small businesses, especially in Germany and Austria. That is why you should travel with an active wallet, a physical card, and a small amount of euros. If you want to compare other scenarios, read traveling without cash.
Do I need to bring cash to the U.S., or is a card enough?
For most of the trip, a card or your phone is enough. You can pay for transportation, meals, shopping, and tickets without any trouble. Cash works more as a backup for small surprises or occasional tips. What really matters is bringing a credit card with available limit, because hotels and car rentals usually place temporary holds. To organize everything before departure, use this first international trip checklist.
Is it worth withdrawing cash abroad using a global account?
Only in an emergency. In general, cash withdrawals involve an ATM fee, possibly an institution fee, and a less favorable exchange rate than paying directly with your card or wallet. If you do need to withdraw, use bank ATMs during business hours and decline any conversion offered on the screen. To plan the ideal setup of cards, apps, and cash backup, see how a custom-designed trip works, step by step.
Want to travel without planning a thing?
Meet the 3 consultancy plans: from designed itinerary to real-time concierge, with clear pricing.
See the plans
