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You should have no problems using your credit card in Belgium. Debit and credit cards with Visa and Mastercard are also widely accepted, and you may be able to use your American Express card in some areas.
Several businesses require that you show them a valid ID when you use your credit or debit card, and some might insist on looking at your passport.
If you’re taking along a variety of cards, debit cards and cash, read our full guide on spending money while traveling in Belgium.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Belgium, with American Express and Discover cards lagging behind.
If you own an American Express or a Discover card, look for BNP Paribas Fortis ATMs. Citibank ATMs also accept Discover cards, but not American Express.
| Merchant acceptance | ATM acceptance | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa |  High | High |
| Mastercard | High | High |
| American Express |  Medium | Medium |
| Discover | Medium |  Low |
Using your credit card in Belgium can incur fees such as:
Yes. Avoid this by getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and declining DCC if offered.
If you’re traveling to Europe, or frequently travel abroad, consider an airline credit card with no foreign transaction fees that could save you money on both flights and extra fees.
Aside from saving money on foreign transaction fees, these two cards let you earn and redeem miles on Brussels Airlines flights between the US and Belgium.
Using your credit card in Belgium is generally safe. However, you should still exercise caution and make sure you:
If paying your bill with a credit card isn’t an option, consider making an ATM cash withdrawal. However, cash withdrawals often come with cash advance fees and cash advance APR — which is usually higher than the standard APR on purchases.
One way to avoid this is to get a debit card for cash withdrawals and a credit card for payments.
You can learn more about spending in Belgium with our travel money guide.
Some do, but not all of them. Make sure you ask the driver before you take the trip.
Alternatively, you could consider using a rideshare app such as Uber, and pay with your card.
Chip and PIN cards are widely accepted in Belgium. You should consider calling your bank to ask for a four-number PIN before making your travel arrangements. This can help you avoid unpleasant situations, especially where the payment terminal is unmanned and you need to enter your PIN.
You can use your credit card in most of Belgium, especially if it’s Visa or Mastercard. ATM cash withdrawals could be your solution for places that won’t accept foreign credit cards. Make sure you use a debit card to avoid incurring high cash advance APR.
Travel credit cards without foreign transaction fees can save you money on all of your purchases.
See more guides on using a credit card in other countries.
A youth savings account with a whopping 7% APY on account balances up to $1,000.
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A checking account that earns up to 1.75% APY and up to $25 in ATM reimbursements.
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