Credit cards in Spain work differently than in the US.
In the US, credit cards are used for everyday spending and are built around rewards and flexibility. In Spain and much of the EU, daily spending is mostly debit-based, credit limits are lower, and cards are designed to be paid off in full each month.
While interest rates can look similar on paper, Spanish cards discourage carrying balances. Most expats end up using a hybrid approach—keeping U.S. credit cards for travel and online purchases and using a Spanish debit card for daily life.
We’ve done a bit more research this past week and have updated our Expat Finances page. Check it out for the latest.