I read somewhere - can't remember where, it could have been on this forum or elsewhere - that when paying by credit/debit card in Spanish supermarkets you have to produce your passport, is this true?
Am just worried because we don't really want to take our passports out with us on an everyday basis, but are staying in self-catering accommodation with three daughters so will need to buy in provisions pretty regularly. Am thinking that if this is true we will just have to take extra spending money to cover supermarket bills, but it is so much easier to just do it by card.
They only ask for a second I.D. if you dont know the PIN number for your credit/debit card.
I've always been asked for ID, either if I'm using a British card with a pin number or a Spanish one with/without pin. I also have a Mercadona card, and have to show ID every time I use that. It's not just supermarkets, all shops do the same. If you have a photo driving licence, that will sometimes be ok (it was the other day for a friend of mine).
I don't have that problem myself because I pay in cash, and I made frequent visits to Lidl, Maxi Dia and Supersol supermarkets during the two weeks....so possibly a way around it is to withdraw the cash from an ATM beforehand.?
Sanji
In Tenerife El Camison Mercadona I have used my debit card without being asked for identification many times, in others I have and have not always carried our passports using both my driving licence and bus pass. Last time we took photo copies of our passports but never had cause to use them.
I've used a UK Halifax Visa debit card in the MAS supermarket near Bonanza Sq many times recently without being asked for a second ID. I also spent €296 on cigarettes at the Tabac near The Elefante and wasn't asked for a second ID there either.
Thanks for the advice, in this case will probably pay by cash to avoid any probs.
I always have to show ID, no matter what card I use or which shop I am in, so do all my Spanish friends. Not a big deal, gives you reassurance!
We just got caught out at the Mercadona in La Carihuela this week.Staying in a villa we went on first day to do a large shop of basics for the week.Came to £170...and guess what i had no idea i had to produce my passport ! Husband had to run to speedbank luckily not far away
Joxx
I have been asked for id recently.You can make a copy of your passport to duplicate the size of a credit card,that has been accepted
But handy to knowCooperEd wrote:Not a big deal, gives you reassurance!
Yes exactly...nothing to worry about...just make a copy of your passport and voila - Spanish supermarkets will be like riding a bicycle!
Ok - have I got this right - they will accept a copy of my passport with debit / credit card to save carrying it around and risk loosing it !! - what about prices in Torremolinos/Benalmadena areas - do supermarket prices compare with what we pay here ??
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