Eroski Supermarket

[Bradders13]

We are arriving next weekend and need to do a big shop at the Eroski supermarket. I know this is probably a silly question but can we use our debit or credit cards to pay for the shopping and do we need to show our passports?

The alternative is to try and do this online before we arrive. Will they accept payment from a UK credit card?

Any assistance or suggestions gratefully received.

[Sparky]

Yes you can use the plastic but you will have to have your passport or some kind of photo I.D. .

[sunny]

Hi,
Last year needed passport for ID to pay on credit card.

[MairiCladach]

Sorry, I'm probably being very daft, but why do you need a passport/ID? Is it just for bigger transactions in general or Eroski in particular? Just that I've never needed any ID when paying by card in the Port. Want to be prepared for July - 9 week countdown commences today, hooray!

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by MairiCladach

Sorry, I'm probably being very daft, but why do you need a passport/ID? Is it just for bigger transactions in general or Eroski in particular? Just that I've never needed any ID when paying by card in the Port. Want to be prepared for July - 9 week countdown commences today, hooray!

It's for security, you are lucky if you have never been asked for I.D. Some of the staff are more strict than others but to avoid embarrassment i would recommend you have it with you. I have been asked for it and my bank card is with a Spanish bank .

[whaleywanderer]

It is also handy to note that unless you have a specialist card for use in Spain (see Martin Lewis's Moneysavingexpert web site) your bank will charge you a fee on all your transactions.

[Bradders13]

Thanks for the useful info. We will probably only use it for a couple of large shopping trips to stock up - the rest of the time we will pay cash.

[Lorenzo]

Originally Posted by sparky

It's for security, you are lucky if you have never been asked for I.D. Some of the staff are more strict than others but to avoid embarrassment i would recommend you have it with you. I have been asked for it and my bank card is with a Spanish bank .

Very true Sparky. I was shopping in Al Campo recently and was asked for my passport, even though I was paying with my Spanish bank card.

[sws97sdg]

So a driving license with photo would be OK, easier than carrying around your passport?

[eleanor]

Personally I prefer not to carry my passport as if it was lost or stolen it would cause many problems. I have always used my driving licence. Of course the locals have their own ID cards which I suppose is all they need to carry.

[Sparky]

I agree about not carrying your passport as it's a major problem if you lose it but if you have a driving licence or anything official that has a photo of you on it that is usually acceptable.

[Major Tom]

From personal experience my advice is to carry only one card + driving
licence well hidden on your person, as very clever pick pockets were operating inside Eroski last year. I now prefer the smaller supermarkets, once bitten
twice shy !!!!
P.S. Phones are also being taken, be on your guard & have a happy
stress free holiday in PP.

[MairiCladach]

Thank you all for the advice, I will be prepared this time and take my passport with me; would you advise this when paying in restaurants too? And does this apply when paying with a prepaid euro currency card (I've used Fairfx for the past two years, very good rates btw!).

We must have been very lucky over the past decade as have not once been asked for ID when paying by card (a bit of a worry I guess!!).

[Sparky]

I have never been asked in a restaurant for ID and in spite of having chip and pin have occasionally been asked for a signature as well .


P.S. As i said before , it doesn't have to be your passport, as long as it's got a photo on it it's acceptable.