Do I need cash if I have cards and payment apps?
Plan for the specific places and journeys you use. Keep an appropriate cash backup and an independent payment method, rather than assuming every merchant accepts your app or card. Two methods tied to one lost SIM may not provide real redundancy.
By ExpatShield Editorial · Last reviewed
Sources and direct attribution
- ExpatShield original planning: Pay with cards, cash and transfers accessed September 6, 2026