Chip-enabled North American signature debit/ATM card -- can it be set up for European/EMV chip and PIN?
I am the proud recipient of a brand new, EMV-equipped Visa Debit card through my financial institution -- this card is capable of being used for PIN debit/EFTPOS, signature debit, and ATM transactions, at least in the North American senses of the terms. However, can such a card support EMV chip-and-PIN debit transactions for use overseas in areas where magnetic stripe PIN debit/EFTPOS is no longer supported, or is it limited to chip-and-signature for chip transactions?
Note: our question about credit cards is different because it covers North American EMV credit card products -- which do not support PIN debit/EFTPOS or the full panoply of ATM transactions. A Visa signature debit (Check Card) product supports not only signature debit (i.e. credit card like), but PIN debit/EFTPOS and ATM (bank card like) transactions as well. I'm concerned about all usage contexts (such as foreign ATMs and automated kiosks that do not have the ability to accept a chip and signature transaction), not just a card-present/manned environment where chip-and-signature fallback is an option, as well.
Best Answer
USA issued Visa /MasterCard debit cards / check cards, as well as USA issued credit cards are almost exclusively chip & signature cards. Some banks issue a chip & pin credit card for their business customers that travel abroad, but these are the rare exception not the rule.
Your debit / check card comes with a PIN, but that PIN is for use in ATMs and USA based pin-debit systems (such as what your local grocery store has). It will not work in foreign pin based debit systems.
When you travel overseas, your debit / check card should be used as a credit card not debit card. This determination is normally automatic by the system, but occasionally a clerk will ask you "debit or credit" and you should always choose credit.
Your debit / check card will work in 95%+ of card terminals around the world, be they swipe, chip & signature or chip & pin. Some notable exceptions to this are automated bus / tram ticket kiosks in Europe, where for some reason the designers did not consider that foreigners might be using them and set them up to work exclusively with European style chip & pin cards. But I have found that you can usually find someone willing to take your cash and buy a ticket for you with their card, so no need to stress about it.
So yes, your chip & signature debit / check card will work in most situations outside the USA, but No, it can not be converted to a chip & pin, it will always operate as a chip & signature.
Pictures about "Chip-enabled North American signature debit/ATM card -- can it be set up for European/EMV chip and PIN?"
Will my Bank of America debit card work in Europe?
Using a Bank of America debit card in Europe will cost you $5 fee for ATM cash withdrawals made outside the United States plus an International Transaction fee of 3% of the withdrawal amount. If you use your Bank of America debit card to purchase goods in Europe it will cost you 3% of the purchase amount.Do us cards work in Europe?
Despite some differences between European and US cards, there's little to worry about: US credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) generally work fine in Europe.Is Chip and PIN required in Europe?
Much of Europe has already implemented a chip-and-PIN system. That means that using credit cards and debit cards embedded with a microchip and require a Personal Identification Number (PIN code) for transactions.How do I know if my debit card is EMV chip?
You can find out if you already have an EMV card by examining the left corner of your card where the EMV chip is usually embedded. If you own a mag-stripe card, your bank should have replaced your card by now. If it hasn't, do follow up to get a replacement.How to Use Your First Tech Chip and PIN Enabled Card by First Tech Credit Union
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