Apple Pay in Germany
Mar 17, 2025 | 9:04 pm
#1
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Apple Pay in Germany
My teenage child is going to Germany with a school group. I'd prefer him not to walk around with too much cash. He does have Apple Pay on his phone. Can he get away with using that for most his meals?
Last edited by mlbcard; Mar 17, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Mar 18, 2025 | 3:21 am
#2
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As long as he eats in places that accepts it
Many places in Germany are still heavily cash based. But more are becoming card only. Problem is you don't always know until you walk in and ask.
Many places in Germany are still heavily cash based. But more are becoming card only. Problem is you don't always know until you walk in and ask.
Mar 18, 2025 | 3:42 am
#3
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A lot depends on where they are traveling to. The bigger the city, the less problems using cards / NFC payments.
Most places will have a sign outside. I guess their main problem will be if they themselves are not choosing the restaurant / cafe / etc.etc, when it's a group decision or decided by their teachers / leaders.
Most places will have a sign outside. I guess their main problem will be if they themselves are not choosing the restaurant / cafe / etc.etc, when it's a group decision or decided by their teachers / leaders.
Mar 18, 2025 | 4:28 am
#4
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I do not know the reason why he should not have too much cash on him and what your definition of "too much" is but I recommend that he should have around 100€ in cash with him. In my opiniion this is not "too much" and should last at least a whole week if used as a backup. A lot of places accept credit/debit cards or Apple Pay / Google Pay but no all so having cash available is recommended.
Mar 18, 2025 | 6:42 am
#5
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German-speaking countries/rgions are still very cash based, and even though I live in the suburbs of Frankfurt/Main, a lot of places and restos will only take cash.
Fast food chains will accept card though (MC/Visa, forget about Amex).
Fast food chains will accept card though (MC/Visa, forget about Amex).
Mar 18, 2025 | 2:06 pm
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Mar 18, 2025 | 6:02 pm
#10
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50 for what? Are meals, museum tickets, transportation etc. covered by the group or is everything individual pay? How long is the trip?
I assume thats for safety (pick pockets) or simply risk of losing it? Whats the backup plan if the teen loses or damages the phone? I guess there is still the ATM card, but I would consider giving them an AU Visa or Mastercard, preferably from a different bank than the one that Apple Pay is using. And then teach them to not keep all eggs (cards, money) in one basket.
I assume thats for safety (pick pockets) or simply risk of losing it? Whats the backup plan if the teen loses or damages the phone? I guess there is still the ATM card, but I would consider giving them an AU Visa or Mastercard, preferably from a different bank than the one that Apple Pay is using. And then teach them to not keep all eggs (cards, money) in one basket.
Mar 18, 2025 | 6:57 pm
#11
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notquiteaff - they're on their own for lunch and snacks each day (one week trip), the rest is all paid for. Yeah, he's got back ups (even if he loses everything, he's got his teacher and we could forward funds to him) and he knows not to keep everything together. Since I only had a few Euros with me right now, my question was primarily so I could estimate how much he would need to take out from an ATM when he gets there.
Last edited by mlbcard; Mar 18, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Mar 18, 2025 | 7:02 pm
#12
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Mar 19, 2025 | 1:03 am
#13
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I don't think teenagers are going to places which cost 25 for a meal. More likely to go to McDonalds or get a kebab etc
When I was a teenager I probably carried the equivalent of 1000 in cash on our international school trips. That had to last the whole trip as we had no bank cards.
When I was a teenager I probably carried the equivalent of 1000 in cash on our international school trips. That had to last the whole trip as we had no bank cards.
Mar 19, 2025 | 8:09 am
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The cheaper the place, the less likely to take cards. Those buisnesses like to be "cash only" for a whole lot of (freshly laundered) reasons.