Talk to me as if I’m an idiot - holiday money / Spain

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I’m going on my first foreign holiday in nearly 20 years in June. This alone is a huge deal for me because I’m disabled, my son is disabled and so until now we’ve never really felt confident enough to go for it but with some inheritance and a bit of a “let’s do it” attitude we’ve booked a break in Ibiza, the quiet part of the island, in a nice resort. I’ve organised special assistance etc, private transfers as we both have blue badges etc. But - what I’m struggling with is spending money. What do people do nowadays? Should I get actual cash / euros to spend? Just use my debit card - how much is this going to cost me? Pre paid card?! I’m so confused. The last time I went anywhere was to Greece when I was 20 and we took travellers cheques 😆😳🙈

Help me out.

I opened a Starling account last year summer and used it in Spain last year - was accepted everywhere as it's a MasterCard - even the tiny little local bar we went to took it .

I looked on Martin Lewis money saving website first before opening - did from home in about 10 mins

Fo not use your normal credit card, it's horrendously expensive. We use a Currensea card, it links to our bank account.

Look on mse: [] https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/]]

Also always pay in local currency.

Hope you have a fantastic time!

Take some cash in Euros.

Use a travel card you can top up on line from your bank account. That means that when using the card, your bank account is never exposed to any theft or fraudsters; you're not running up charges on your debit /credit cards, and your bank won't stop an unusual furrin payment .

Remember to apply for your free GHIC cards (replaces EHIC; still worth having post brexit) and also get travel health insurance.

I just use my debit card and occasionally get money out of an atm or cash back in a supermarket if I need currency. I have a few euros in cash usually at home as I keep from one trip to another. It's not the cheapest way necessarily but it's the most convenient,

On a week long holiday the convenience of my normal bank cards works out at about £10 for comparison

Hey.

Revolut offers £60 to open a bank account. You can get a euro bank card for withdrawing cash or paying via Apple Pay etc.

Maybe your friend can give you a referral code?

You don't need to close your usual van account

@Usernamen Yes, just the regular account. For the first 12 months of using the account you'll get 1% cash back on card purchases, there are some exemptions.

I never take cash, just use Monzo. If I was going to the US I'd take cash for tipping m.

Went to Ibiza last summer, didn't use cash for anything. Even the bloke on the beach took card when the kids wanted to buy the fake toot

This is all so, so helpful! Thank you all so much. I’m learning lots reading your replies.

Could you bring along a friend or family member Op?

Get revolut app, they send you a card, you can top it up with euros check balance etc on the app. So easy, take some cash too but I would 90% use my revolut card every where

My dh - not disabled 😁- is also coming, and my adult dd so we won’t be on our own. Just feels like a big deal, I’m very nervous and just hope both our issues don’t flare up (more mine really, Ds has autism so his needs are fairly consistent, I have lupus and other chronic conditions- I’ve got very good travel insurance in place). 🤞🤞

I go to Spain frequently . I use my Uk debit card and select euros on a card machine. I take a small amount of euros and hardly use them .

Have a lovely time OP, how exciting for you!

Get a Starling account. No transaction fees and if anything happens, you can deal with it instantly on the app. I usually withdraw a couple of hundred € for incidentals and then everything else goes through Starling. It's a great, all round bank account.

your best option is to get a amount of euros to give in tips or whatever then pay everything on a 0% credit card that can be used abroad, Halifax seems to be a good option, just remember to pay it off in full as soon as you get home.

If you get a Monzo card and need some euros when you are there you can get them from an ATM whilst you are there with no charges. So no need to take euros with you.

I use Revolut overseas, and take a few Euros for cabs etc. I think you get 200 of whatever the local currency free when you take cash from the ATM. It's only a small fee if you go over that amount.

I also have an Halifax Clarity credit card, this one is specific for spending overseas. As others have said, always choose the local currency when paying by card.

Whatever you do, do NOT use an ordinary debit/credit card, eye wateringly expensive charges!

Enjoy your holiday

We take a small amount in euros and get a travel card. There is a nominal fee per withdrawall (about £2) so better to take out in chunks. But your credit debit card is fine to use too.

@maddy68

how in earth is it a fallacy?!

Those are the requirements and they are being more rigorously enforced with British passport holders.

you say in reality they don’t ask, but I have experience that they have done 🤷‍♀️

They only ask if they have reason to believe you may be looking to work or live there illegally.
No one I know has ever been asked (and us neither)

It isn't even a new thing. They have always taken those they suspect of ulterior motives aside and interviewed them to ascertain reason of stay, anything booked, what finances etc..

It isn't even a new thing. They have always taken those they suspect of ulterior motives aside and interviewed them to ascertain reason of stay

I know the rule has been in place for some time.

DD (18) was asked last year when flying into Marbella. They were satisfied quickly when she showed them her hotel booking and her credit card but they did ask.

Sometimes when you use a card (we use fee free Halifax Clarity) the machine gives you the option of paying in the local currency or GBP. Always select Euros or you’ll get an unfavourable exchange rate despite using a fee free card.

Following this as we are also going abroad for the first time in 18 years, I also have a DS with autism and am also going to Ibiza, Santa Eulalia for us. Did lots of research before deciding on this area, so excited but v nervous! I am going to take some Euros and use my Mastercard but will have a read through all the advice you have received. I hope you have a wonderful time!

spain require visitors to have a minimum of €90 pp per day and a minimum of €890, regardless of length of stay.

they seem to have got more rigorous at asking. My DC was asked about her financial means when entering recently.

We go to Spain frequently and have never been asked?

And we just take Euros with us.