Using a credit card in Taiwan

You’ll find that Mastercard and Visa are more popular in Taiwan than American Express, but you can still pay with your Amex card in some places or use an ATM. Despite that, Taiwan is still mostly dependent on cash. In some places, like family restaurants or small shops, you may not be able to pay with your credit card at all.

There are a few potential fees to watch out for when you’re paying with plastic:

• Foreign transaction fees. A non-sterling fee of around 3% per transaction can apply, depending on your credit card. That’s £30 in fees for every £1,000 spent with your card.
• Merchant currency conversion fees. Sometimes, a merchant will offer to take payment in pounds instead of in New Taiwan dollars. This is known as a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) and often comes with higher fees than if you paid in the local currency.
• Cash advance fees. Your card issuer may charge a fee for cash advances (withdrawing cash using your credit card). Cash machine providers sometimes charge a fee too.
• ATM fees. The provider of a cash machine may charge a fee if you withdraw cash using your card.

It’s also worth noting that when it comes to cash advances and non-sterling transactions, card issuers will often start charging interest on the day your account is debited, rather than the customary “up to 55 days interest-free” that applies when you clear your balance in full each month.

Here’s a section of a fairly typical T&Cs document showing the charges applicable when spending abroad:

How can I avoid the fees?

Consider taking out a credit card offering commission-free currency conversion (see table below), even if you only use it when you’re out of the country. Once you have one of these cards, if a merchant offers to take payment in pounds, say you’re happy to pay in New Taiwan dollars, since you know your own bank won’t charge you for the privilege.

Generally speaking it’s not a great idea to use a credit card to withdraw cash, but some travel credit cards won’t penalise you for this either. Finally, make sure to check whether the ATM you use is going to charge a fee. Bank ATMs are generally a safer bet than those in convenience stores or bars.

Chip-and-PIN credit cards

You shouldn’t have any problem if you have a chip-and-PIN card. Just make sure the logo of your card matches the logo on the ATM or POS terminal.

Is it safe to use my credit card in Taiwan?

Yes, it’s safe to use your credit card in Taiwan. But for added security, consider the following precautions:

• Use an ATM within a bank. This is particularly useful if for some reason the ATM holds your card. You’ll be able to quickly get it back with assistance from one of the branch employees. ATMs within a bank are also less likely to be tampered with.
• Take two credit cards. You may lose your card or it may not work. By having a back-up card, you won’t be left without money.
• Keep your card in sight. Although rare, card cloning can happen in Taiwan. To avoid this, make sure you keep your card in sight.

How to prepare before traveling to Taiwan

1. Get a credit card without foreign transaction fees. Most travel cards have no fees when used outside of the UK.
2. Opt for Mastercard or Visa. They’re universally accepted, while American Express is less popular in Taiwan.
3. Get a back-up card. If something happens to your primary card, you’ll have another card to help you out.
4. Get some cash. If you need to use an ATM to withdraw cash, opt for one at the airport or in the city. ATMs in Taiwan have favourable exchange rates and usually have no additional fees.
5. Inform your bank you’re travelling to Taiwan. If you don’t, your bank may consider your foreign transactions to be fraudulent and block your card. When you’re scheduling your trip, you can ask your bank if it has partner banks in Taiwan as well.
6. Get your bank’s phone number. If you lose your card or have any other card-related issues, you’ll know who to call.

Bottom line

Credit cards aren’t as widely accepted in Taiwan as in other places, but they’re safe to use and you shouldn’t have a problem paying where credit cards are accepted. Your only issues might be the foreign transaction fees and DCC, but with the right credit card and by declining DCC when offered, you can save some money.

Compare cards with fee-free currency conversion in Taiwan

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Name	Product UKCCF	Finder Score	Finder score	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Initial credit limits	Representative APR	Incentive	Link
Monzo Flex Additional account needed		3.9 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	0% if paid in full monthly or over 3 months. Reverting to 29% (variable) in 6, 12 or 24 monthly payments.	£0	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	29% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29% APR (variable).	Go to site Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card		4.4 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%	£3 per month	Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.	29.8% APR (variable)	0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Maximum of £10 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
118 118 Money Guaranteed Rate Card		3.8 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	49%	£0	Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.	49% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 49% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 49% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Yonder Credit Card Finder Award		4.5 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	29.94%	1 month for £0, £15 per month thereafter	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	66.7% APR (variable)	First month free for new members, £15 p/m thereafter. Plus, 10,000 bonus points. Earn 5 points per £1 spent and up to 25 points per £1 at selected partners. Membership includes worldwide travel insurance, no FX fees and use your points towards any flight. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 66.7% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NatWest Credit Card		4.7 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	12.9%	£0	Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.	12.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).	Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard		4.7 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	12.9%	£0	Min. limit £350, max. limit not specified.	12.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).	Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Royal Bank Credit Card		4.6 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	12.9%	£0	Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.	12.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).	Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Halifax Clarity Credit Card Mastercard		4.5 ★★★★★	★★★★★ Expert analysis	23.94%	£0	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	23.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).	Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Frequently asked questions

• How can I send money to Taiwan?

  If for some reason you’re stuck without money, take a look at our money transfer page on how to get the fastest and easiest money transfer to Taiwan.

• Which currency is used in Taiwan?

  Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan dollar and has the currency code TWD and NT$ symbol. If you use an ATM, you’ll get banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000 or 2,000. It should be noted that the banknotes of 200 and 2,000 are rarely used.

• What is the exchange rate between the British pound and the New Taiwan dollar?

• Which banks operate in Taiwan?

  The largest banks in Taiwan are:

  • CTBC Bank
  • Bank of Taiwan
  • Hua Nan Com Bank
  • Taiwan Cooperative Bank

  International banks that operate in Taiwan include:

  • Citibank
  • Barclays
  • Wells Fargo
  • JPMorgan Chase

  It can be useful if your bank has partnerships with any of these banks. If it does, you could avoid paying fees on ATM cash withdrawals.

How to use a credit card in…

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

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Chris has written 609 Finder guides across topics including:

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