Belgium — Currency & Money

Currency is the euro (EUR). Card payment is nearly universal — Bancontact (domestic debit) dominates, but Visa and Mastercard contactless work almost everywhere including taxis and bakeries. Cash use is declining; expect some small bars, market stalls and window districts to be cash-preferred.

ATMs (bancontact/geldautomaat) at bank branches are free with most foreign cards; standalone operators like Euronet charge €2–5 and offer poor DCC rates — always decline conversion and choose euros. Service is included by law in restaurants; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is customary but not expected.