Europe is not uniform on cash. Scandinavia is effectively cashless. Germany still leans heavily on it. Knowing which camp your destination falls into before you arrive means you're not scrambling for an ATM on Sunday evening when the one nearby is out of service.

Countries Where Card Is King

Netherlands: Card payment is near-universal in Amsterdam. Most cafes, bars, restaurants, and markets accept contactless. You might need small cash for some market stalls or tips, but you can comfortably operate on card alone.

Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway): Copenhagen and Stockholm are among the most cashless cities in the world. Some venues don't accept cash at all. A contactless card is essential here; cash is almost irrelevant.

France: Paris is card-friendly and most mainstream businesses are contactless. Small bakeries and market stalls sometimes prefer cash. Carry €20-30 as a float.

Spain: Barcelona and Madrid have good card acceptance. Smaller tapas bars, local markets, and some transport (particularly small bus operators) still prefer cash. €30-50 in cash is sensible.

Countries Where Cash Matters More

Germany: This is the outlier in Western Europe. Cash culture is deeply embedded. Many restaurants, bars, and shops in Berlin and Munich still prefer or exclusively accept cash. Carry at least €50-80 and replenish regularly.

Austria: Vienna is similar to Germany. Cafes and restaurants often prefer cash for payment. Card acceptance is improving but don't assume it.

Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice are increasingly card-friendly at tourist-oriented businesses, but smaller trattorias, market stalls, and churches (entrance donations) still run on cash. €40-60 is a sensible amount to carry.

Czech Republic (Prague): Not in the euro zone, uses Czech Koruna. Card acceptance is good in tourist areas but cash is widely used. Withdraw koruna from a bank ATM and avoid currency exchange booths which offer poor rates.

General Rules

Always pay in the local currency. Never at the airport exchange desk. Withdraw from bank-affiliated ATMs rather than independent machines in tourist areas. If you use Starling or Monzo, the exchange rate you get at any ATM is competitive and fee-free.

Split your cash across your wallet and a separate pocket or bag. Losing everything to a pickpocket on day one of a city break is entirely preventable.