Are UK debit cards widely acceptable in Iceland?
I have visa debit card linked with UK HSBC account. Are these cards widely acceptable in Iceland?
Best Answer
Whilst I've spent a fair amount of time in Iceland, and have a UK HSBC account, I tended to put most things on my credit card. I'm pretty sure that when I used my VISA debit cards I didn't have any problems. It does help to tell them that you are going abroad to make sure they don't block the card for suspicious transactions.
One thing that surprised me was that some places used chip & PIN, some places sign and some places (for low value transactions) don't bother with either.
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Will my UK debit card work in Iceland?
Credit cards are widely used. Icelandic Kronur are available through banks and cash machines in Iceland although some UK banks require advance notice before allowing debit or credit cards to be used in Iceland.Can you use your debit card in Iceland?
Credit and debit cards are very common forms of payment for people who travel to Iceland. In fact, locals rarely use cash since most merchants accept credit and debit cards even for small purchases. Travellers cheques, though less common, are also accepted at banks and major hotels or tourist centres.What card is best to use in Iceland?
Taking a debit card with no transaction or withdrawal fees is the best option for travelling to Iceland, but it's also worth taking some cash for small payments such as bus journeys or public bathrooms. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, especially within Iceland's city regions.What cards are accepted in Iceland?
Icelanders love credit and debit cards, and will commonly whip one out just to buy an ice cream. Most shops and tourist establishments accept credit cards; you can even charge a taxi ride. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, while American Express and Diner's Club are not nearly as useful.Paying in Iceland - all you need to know!
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Answer 2
I was on Iceland in September 2014.
You ask about Visa linked cards, but for completeness sake: I have used a Dutch 'Meastro' bank card (type debit card) on Iceland and it was accepted wherever cards were accepted. My Mastercard Credit card worked fine as well.
As Phil said, not always a pin was asked for, but mostly it was.
Answer 3
My wife and I were in Iceland in June 2015 and used our UK-issued Metro Bank debit card (MasterCard) everywhere, very successfully, right up until the point that it got cloned in a garage's pay-at-the-pump machine, and the bank rang us to cancel it.
The reason for using it was that Metro don't charge transaction fees inside Europe, so it was mildly annoying to have to start using a credit card halfway through the holiday (added 3.5% to the already non-trivial cost of everything).
In short: my debit card worked fine. I was glad that I had some other usable cards with me, though.
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