Singapore to Europe: Which card should you bring? (2026 Guide)
This article covers:
Key takeaways
- Standard Singapore bank cards incur high foreign transaction fees (2.5% to 3.25%) and poor exchange rates, while relying on cash is risky due to pickpockets and ‘card-only’ policies in modern Europe.
- The Instarem amaze card is the top pick — link your existing Mastercard, spend in EUR at 0% FX fee via wallet, and earn KrisFlyer miles on every eligible transaction.
- Always pay in EUR, not SGD. Choosing SGD triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion — the merchant sets the rate, and it’s almost always worse.
- Cash adoption varies widely; the UK, Netherlands and Scandinavia are almost entirely cashless, whereas countries like Germany and Austria still favour physical cash for daily transactions.
Europe is becoming largely cashless — but your standard Singapore bank card charges 2.5% to 3.25% on every overseas transaction. On a two-week trip with hotels, dining, and shopping, expenses add up fast. This guide covers which card to bring, how to use it, and three practical rules that will save you money from the moment you land.
Your four currency options for Europe — Ranked
When travelling across Europe, you’ll need a way to pay for everything from train tickets and museum admissions to restaurant meals and hotel stays.
To help you protect your holiday budget, here is a breakdown of your four main payment options, ranked from the least efficient to the best travel hack.
Option 1: Standard Singapore bank card
This is the option most travellers use simply because it’s already sitting in their wallet.
You arrive in Europe, tap your regular credit card or debit card at the checkout, and the transaction goes through. The convenience is undeniable. The problem is cost.
Most traditional Singapore bank cards charge foreign currency conversion fees, overseas transaction fees or a combination of both. It applies to virtually every purchase you make overseas. On a two-week European holiday involving hotels, dining, shopping and transport, those charges add hundreds of dollars to your total travel expenses.
Travellers don’t even realise how much they’re paying because the fees are bundled into the final converted amount that appears on their statement.
| Pros | Cons |
| Absolute convenience with zero setup required | High foreign transaction fees (2.5% to 3.25%) |
| Widely accepted across Europe | Poor, uncompetitive internal bank exchange rates |
| Earns standard bank rewards or miles directly | Easy to lose track of hidden costs until the statement arrives |
Option 2: Airport money changer
There is a comforting, old-school habit of visiting a money changer at Changi Airport to stack your wallet with physical Euros. It offers a sense of certainty. You know exactly how much money you’ve exchanged and can manage your spending.
However, relying on cash in modern Europe is not exactly a wise decision.
The major parts of Europe, especially the UK and the Netherlands, prefer cashless payments. Some shops display ‘Card Only’ signs and will flatly refuse physical paper money.
Walking through crowded tourist hotspots like Barcelona or Rome with hundreds of Euros in your pocket also makes you a prime target for pickpockets. If your cash is stolen, it is gone forever.
Only change a small amount—perhaps $100 to $150 worth of Euros—to keep in your bag for coin-operated public restrooms or small market stalls that do not accept digital payments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Useful for small stalls, tips and public restrooms | Highly unfavourable exchange rates at airports |
| Gives a tangible sense of your remaining daily budget | High risk of loss or theft in crowded tourist areas |
| Works even during digital network outages | Some European merchants completely refuse cash payments |
Option 3: YouTrip or Wise
Multi-currency travel wallets like YouTrip and Wise have completely changed how Singaporeans travel. These are digital wallets that lock in excellent exchange rates with zero foreign transaction fees. You download the app, set up an account and top up your wallet before you fly.
Both platforms give you access to better exchange rates, which are close to the actual rates you see on Google.
They can be an excellent, zero-stress choice for the practical traveller who wants to spend exactly what they have without worrying about hidden bank fees.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent, near-wholesale exchange rates | Limited or no miles earning opportunities |
| Low conversion costs | Requires manual top-ups and balance tracking |
| Easy spending controls through mobile apps | An additional step compared with using your existing credit card |
Option 4: amaze card + Linked miles card (Recommended)
If you want the best of both worlds—avoiding high bank fees while still racking up credit card rewards or air miles—the Instarem amaze card (or amaze multi-currency wallet) is the top choice for travel.
Unlike YouTrip or Wise, amaze also offers a linked card option, allowing you to connect your Mastercard directly without needing to top up. You can link up to 5 Singapore-issued Mastercard credit cards to amaze card. When you spend overseas, amaze processes the transaction while your linked card earns rewards as if you were making a normal card purchase.
To make things even sweeter, you can also earn KrisFlyer miles on your amaze wallet spend. The platform lets you convert your InstaPoints into KrisFlyer miles for your next flight redemption or upgrade at a rate of 1,200 InstaPoints = 400 KrisFlyer miles. Also, you can top up via Apple Pay!
For travellers who want to maximise every dollar spent overseas, the amaze card paired with a strong miles card offers one of the most balanced combinations of convenience and rewards potential.
| Pros | Cons |
| Earns credit card rewards/miles on foreign spend | Works exclusively with Mastercard payment methods |
| Convert InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles (1,200 points = 400 miles)s | 2% overseas ATM withdrawal fee. Covered in the ATM strategy section below. |
| Seamlessly links to Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay | Reward eligibility depends on your bank. Check your card’s latest MCC policy before travel. |
| Competitive exchange rates | |
| Supports a wide range of supported currencies and merchant types |
Practical card tips for Europe in 2026
Europe is extremely card-friendly, but the way you use your card can still make a noticeable difference to your overall travel costs.
Here are three practical things every traveller should know before heading over.
The DCC trap (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
One of the mistakes travellers make in Europe is agreeing to pay in Singapore dollars instead of the local currency.
This is known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
At checkout, you may see a prompt like: Pay in EUR or SGD? It might feel safer to choose SGD because it shows a familiar amount. However, this is usually the more expensive option.
When you select SGD, the merchant (not your bank) sets the exchange rate, and it is almost always worse than your card’s rate. On top of that, you may still incur foreign transaction fees from your bank.
Always choose to pay in local currency (EUR), not Singapore dollars.
Card acceptance by country
Europe is going cashless, but card adoption is not the same across the continent. Understanding the habits of your specific destinations will save you from awkward situations.
- UK, Netherlands, Scandinavia: In places like London, Amsterdam or Stockholm, physical cash is rarely used. Everything from city buses to street food stalls requires a card or phone tap, and many shops actively refuse paper money.
- France, Italy, Spain: Cards are the norm for almost everything here. However, it is still smart to keep a few small notes or coins handy for a taxi ride or small market stalls.
- Germany, Austria: Despite being major economic hubs, Germany and Austria still love physical cash. Some establishments remain strictly cash-only.
ATM strategy
You will probably want around €50 to €100 in cash to keep in your pocket for absolute emergencies. Here is how to withdraw it safely without getting burned by fees:
- Never use standalone ATMs found in souvenir shops, convenience stores or major tourist strips. They are famous for charging high flat fees and forcing terrible exchange rates.
- Look for physical ATMs attached to reputable national banks. They are much safer and rarely charge extra operator fees for travel cards.
Setting up amaze for your Europe trip: Step-by-step
Follow this step-by-step timeline to get fully organised before your flight.
4–6 weeks before: Get everything ready early
Do not wait until the week before your trip to apply. Give yourself a comfortable buffer to receive, activate and test the card while you are still in Singapore.
- Download and register. Install the Instarem app on your phone. For the fastest approval, select the MyInfo with Singpass option to auto-fill your details.
- Request the physical card. Once your account is verified, open the app, tap the card icon at the bottom and select ‘Get me amaze.’
- Activate your card. Your virtual card is available for online use instantly, but your physical card will arrive in your letterbox within a few business days. The moment it arrives, open the app, tap ‘Activate Physical Card,’ and set your ATM PIN.
Monitor rates: Optimise your wallet spends
Keep a casual eye on the live exchange rates inside the app during the weeks leading up to your vacation. When you see a favourable dip or a strong SGD-to-EUR rate, top up via Apple Pay or PayNow.
Link your card
Connect your best rewards credit cards in Singapore to your amaze account. This allows your overseas spending to flow through while still earning rewards. You can store up to five separate cards inside the app.
Once linked, do a small test transaction locally (if possible) to ensure everything works.
ETIAS payment
Singaporean passport holders travelling to Europe will be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation before boarding once it becomes mandatory.
Head over to the official EU ETIAS website a few weeks before your departure date to complete your application form. Use your newly set up amaze card to pay the €20 application fee online. It serves as the perfect trial run on how to authorise your amaze transactions digitally.
Top up before you fly
Top up your amaze wallet via PayNow (free) before departure. For a two-week Europe trip spending approximately SGD 3,000, using amaze wallet instead of a standard bank card saves roughly SGD 90–95 in FX fees.
Final thoughts
Europe is one of the most card-friendly destinations in the world. Use that to your advantage. Bring amaze for all card spending, keep €50–100 cash for Germany, Austria, and cash-only spots, and always choose to pay in local currency at checkout. That’s the whole strategy.
Instead of forcing you to choose between competitive exchange rates and travel rewards, amaze combines both in one solution. You can spend across Europe, earn KrisFlyer miles, convert InstaPoints into KrisFlyer miles for future flight redemptions and avoid managing multiple payment methods throughout your journey.
Exchange EUR in amaze wallet before your flight
The best time to think about exchange rates is before your trip begins, not while you’re standing at a café in Paris trying to decide which payment option to select.
Download the Instarem app, exchange EUR in your amaze wallet at great FX rates, and land in Paris knowing every euro you spend via your amaze wallet earns miles and costs nothing extra in FX fees. Enjoy transparent amaze card rates and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Does amaze work everywhere in Europe?
Yes, amaze works almost everywhere in Europe where Mastercard is accepted, which covers a vast number of merchants across the continent.
Is amaze safe to use in Europe?
Yes. amaze has security features within the Instarem app that show you exactly how to protect your card from fraud:
- Instant Freeze: If you ever misplace your physical card in a crowded area, you can open the app and freeze the card instantly with a single tap to prevent unauthorised transactions.
- Real-Time Alerts: You receive immediate push notifications on your phone for every single cent spent.
- Secure Authentication: Online purchases are protected by standard multi-factor authentication. No unauthorised online transactions can go through without your approval.
Should I tell my bank I am travelling before using amaze in Europe?
In most cases, Singapore banks no longer require formal travel notifications for overseas card usage. However, it’s still worth checking your bank’s latest requirements before departure, especially if you’ll be linking a rewards credit card to amaze.
Before flying, make sure:
- Overseas card usage is enabled
- Your contact details are up to date with the bank
- Your card has a sufficient credit limit for travel expenses
- Any security or authentication settings are properly configured.
Disclaimer: Rates and fees are accurate as of May 2026. amaze is a product of Instarem (Nium Pte. Ltd.). A 1% fee applies to domestic SGD transactions. Reward eligibility (miles/cashback) is determined by your bank; check your issuer’s latest terms for amaze-linked transactions.
