One of the most cumbersome moments when traveling abroad is considering the issue of payments. What I can do? cash change? Will my card be valid outside of Spain? how much will they charge me to pay? Undoubtedly, we would all like to have a system as comfortable and simple as the mobile payment when we travel outside of Spain, but is it possible? In this article we will clear all your doubts.
What does the mobile payment process consist of?
Mobile payments save you from having to carry cash on your trips (with all the hassle that comes with it) and using credit cards, which are normally subject to commissions. To use this system, the mobile must be connected to your bank account, through software managed by a payment service provider (PSP). The regulation of these processes is in charge of the European Union, which is the one that ensures the security and privacy of transactions and data.
To activate this option, all you have to do is download an app or wallet on your mobile. Next, they will ask you for your credit, debit card or bank account number. Don’t worry about the security of this data, since the application has an encryption system that protects it. The latest technological advances that allow you to pay by bringing your phone to a credit card terminal, simply by activating the option. You can also pay another individual who has the same app as you, also bringing both terminals closer.
What conditions or requirements does my mobile need to be able to make payments abroad?
The mobile payment system It works the same in all countries. wherever you are and as long as you meet the following requirements:
- That the mobile has technology nfc: Normally, all terminals already have it, unless they are very old mobiles.
- Install and configure the application that you are going to use, both those of the bank and those of third parties are valid.
- Have linked one or more cards with a balance.
- Activate the “payment outside Europe” on the card, you can easily do it online on your bank’s website or through the application itself. If you are going to travel within the European Union, you do not need to do anything.
- Although it does not depend on you, the business where you are going to pay must have a POS with a contactless option. Ask and make sure before.
Is there any restriction for mobile payment outside our country?
For some years now, the EU countries have free roaming service available, that is, calls or the use of mobile internet between citizens of the union. Therefore, there are no payment restrictions between these countries, beyond those of each teleoperator, for example, in the case of unlimited data rates.
In other words, in these cases the restrictions do not come so much from the payment system but from the use of the Internet and data established by the operators.
Another possible problem is the level of digitization of financial services that has the country where you travel, as well as its quality. Banking may be high, with many branches and ATMs, but the stores do not offer the technology that we have described above.
Advantages of making mobile payments
It is easy and comfortable. We all carry our mobile phones with us when we travel, therefore, we can do without cards and cash.
It is sure. Financial software has its encryption, but before that, the mobile itself already introduces biometric passwords that are practically impossible to bypass. Therefore, even if you lost the device, it would be difficult for them to turn it on and access its content.
Tips to increase security in mobile payments
NFC technology, which allows mobile payments, is totally secure; in addition, the new PSD payment directive also protect sensitive information, at the regulatory level. You yourself can add extra security to your purchases, establishing a limit for physical purchases through mobile phones and enabling the Secure NFC option from the terminal. What the latter prevents is that mobile purchases can be made with the phone turned off, which could happen in the event of theft.
In short, the mobile payment system is the most comfortable and simple when traveling abroad. The way to pay is the same everywhere in the world, although the level of digitization of banking in different countries may pose a handicap to complete these transactions.
