Of course, we also pay with plastic money in Germany. In that case, we use debit cards more frequently than credit cards. One\u2019s bank account is charged immediately when using a debit card. Consequently, you can only spend as much money as you have available. If we were einen Kredit aufnehmen<\/em><\/strong> (to take out a loan) it is in our interest to Schulden abbauen<\/em><\/strong> (deleverage) as quick as possible by Schulden abbezahlen<\/em><\/strong> (paying off debts) in realistischen Raten<\/em><\/strong> (by realistic installments). Another reason why we do not pay by credit cards is that the majority of businesses do not accept them. On the one hand, they do not have the technical devices for that, and, on the other hand, they do not consent to absorb the high costs, which are required by credit card providers.<\/p>\n The debit cards in Germany are called EC-Karten<\/em><\/strong> (ec-cards). EC is the original abbreviation for EuroCheque but nowadays it stands for \u2018Electronic Cash\u2019, which is the debit card system of the German Central Credit Committee.<\/p>\n Smaller businesses, like bakeries, ice-cream stands, kiosks or local cafes, do neither accept credit cards nor debit cards. In some shops there is even a minimum amount to accept debit cards. Mostly, it is 5 Euros but the minimum amounts can also be higher. For that reason, it is always advisable to have some Geldscheine<\/em><\/strong> (bank notes) and M\u00fcnze<\/em><\/strong> (coins) with you.<\/p>\n Before you go on a trip to Germany ask at your local Hausbank<\/em><\/strong> (relationship bank) where you can kostenlos<\/em><\/strong> Geld abheben<\/em><\/strong> (withdraw money free of charge) in Germany. The Deutsche Bank<\/em> has cooperation partners all over the world. These are Barclays<\/em> in Great Britain, Bank of America<\/em> in the USA, BNP Paribas<\/em> in France, Scotiabank<\/em> in Canada, and Westpac<\/em> in Australia. If you keep an account with any of these banks you can withdraw cash from Geldautomaten<\/em><\/strong> (ATM\u2019s) of the Deutsche Bank<\/em> without paying any charges.<\/p>\n (das) Sprichwort \u2013 proverb<\/p>\n Nur Bares ist Wahres. \u2013 Cash is king.<\/p>\n Schulden anh\u00e4ufen \u2013 to run up debts<\/p>\n auf der Bank \u2013 in the bank<\/p>\n (das) Bargeld \u2013 cash<\/p>\n (die) Ausgaben \u2013 expenses<\/p>\n einen Kredit aufnehmen \u2013 to take out a loan<\/p>\n Schulden abbauen \u2013 to deleverage<\/p>\n Schulden abbezahlen \u2013 to off debts<\/p>\n in Raten \u2013 by installments<\/p>\n (der) Geldschein \u2013 bank note<\/p>\n (die) M\u00fcnze \u2013 coin<\/p>\n (die) Hausbank \u2013 relationship bank<\/p>\n kostenlos Geld abheben \u2013 to withdraw money free of charge<\/p>\n (der) Geldautomat \u2013 cash machine \/ ATM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let\u2019s say that you intend to go on a trip to Germany. In that case it is very useful to get informed about the country\u2019s monetary transactions when it comes to buying things of everyday life, for example, food, clothes, stationery supplies, tickets for public transportation, entrance fees, souvenirs and the like. According to the…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2011\/02\/gschein-350x293.jpg\")