{"id":19223,"date":"2026-03-10T09:49:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T09:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog?p=19223"},"modified":"2026-03-10T09:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T09:49:12","slug":"how-to-pay-with-crypto-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/how-to-pay-with-crypto-europe","title":{"rendered":"How to Pay with Crypto in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-path-to-node=\"3\">If you are a digital asset user, you have likely faced the same dilemma: you have Bitcoin or various altcoins in your wallet, but when it comes to daily purchases\u2014the supermarket, a dinner out, or upgrading your tech\u2014reality sets in. Although adoption is growing, few merchants accept crypto directly at the point of sale.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\">The key in 2026 is not looking for shops with <a href=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/en\/price\/bitcoin\">Bitcoin<\/a> nodes, but using \u201cbridge\u201d methods that instantly convert your crypto balance into <b data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"136\">EUR<\/b>. In this article, we analyze the most efficient options so that your cryptocurrencies stop being a static asset and become liquid money for your everyday life.<\/p>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"5\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">4 Ways to Pay with Cryptocurrencies in Europe<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"6\"><b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">1. Merchants that accept crypto directly<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\">This is the \u201cpurest\u201d method: you scan a QR code and send funds from your wallet to the merchant. However, its reach remains limited. In the UK, only a few hundred establishments (mainly independent tech shops or specialized cafes in major cities like London or Manchester) offer this natively.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"><b data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">2. Gift Cards bought with crypto<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\">There are platforms that allow you to exchange your assets for gift cards from major Eopean retailers like <b data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"103\">Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury&#8217;s, or John Lewis<\/b>. While it\u2019s a valid option, it has a logistical downside: it requires prior planning and only works for specific brands, taking the spontaneity out of your shopping.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19050\" src=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitsa_dove-comprare_online_e-in-negozio.png\" alt=\"bitsa_pay_bitcoin_supermarket\" width=\"900\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitsa_dove-comprare_online_e-in-negozio.png 900w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitsa_dove-comprare_online_e-in-negozio-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitsa_dove-comprare_online_e-in-negozio-768x463.png 768w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitsa_dove-comprare_online_e-in-negozio-700x422.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"10\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">3. Crypto Prepaid Cards (The Recommended Option)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11\">By far the most versatile solution. By using a <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwiA2rT-4_SSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQtwo\">prepaid card from Bitsa<\/a>, the process is seamless. You load the card with your crypto, and it is instantly converted into <b data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"168\">Pounds (GBP)<\/b> that you can spend anywhere Visa is accepted.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Universality:<\/b> Pay anywhere (online or physical stores).<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Liquidity:<\/b> Withdraw cash at any European or international ATM.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"12,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"12,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Immediacy:<\/b> No need to wait for slow blockchain confirmations at the supermarket checkout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"13\"><b data-path-to-node=\"13\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">4. P2P (Peer-to-Peer)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\">This involves selling your crypto to another person who transfers GBP to your bank account in return. While useful for obtaining large sums of liquidity, it is a slow, risky process and totally impractical for paying for a coffee or a utility bill.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-19216 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-bbva.jpg\" alt=\"bitsa_crypto_prepaid_card_payment\" width=\"770\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-bbva.jpg 770w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-bbva-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-bbva-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-bbva-700x382.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"16\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Step-by-Step Process with a Crypto Prepaid Card<\/b><\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"17\">If you want to start using your funds today, this is the most efficient workflow:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Prepare your balance:<\/b> Choose the cryptocurrency you want to spend (BTC, USDT, <a href=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/en\/price\/ethereum\">ETH<\/a>, etc.) and transfer it to your <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwiA2rT-4_SSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQuAo\">Bitsa account<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Conversion:<\/b> The system automatically performs the conversion to GBP when you load the card.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Execute the payment:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,2,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">In-store:<\/b> Use contactless just like any other bank card.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,2,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Online:<\/b> Enter your card details at checkout.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"18,2,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">ATMs: Withdraw cash whenever you need it.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b data-path-to-node=\"18,2,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"42\">Total time:<\/b> Between 5 and 15 minutes from the moment you decide to spend until the payment is processed.<\/p>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"20\"><b data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Method Comparison<\/b><\/h2>\n<table data-path-to-node=\"21\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Speed<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Acceptance<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Ease of Use<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Direct Merchant<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,1,1,0\">Instant<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,1,2,0\">Very Low<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,1,3,0\">Medium<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,2,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,2,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Gift Cards<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,2,1,0\">1\u201324 Hours<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,2,2,0\">Medium<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,2,3,0\">Low<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,3,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,3,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Prepaid Card<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,3,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Instant<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,3,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,3,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Total (Visa)<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,3,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,3,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">High<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,4,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"21,4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">P2P<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,4,1,0\">Variable<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,4,2,0\">N\/A<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"21,4,3,0\">Low<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"22\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-19208 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/las-criptomoneas-en-las-tiendas-online.jpg\" alt=\"bitsa_convert_crypto_to_euros\" width=\"825\" height=\"510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/las-criptomoneas-en-las-tiendas-online.jpg 825w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/las-criptomoneas-en-las-tiendas-online-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/las-criptomoneas-en-las-tiendas-online-768x475.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/las-criptomoneas-en-las-tiendas-online-700x433.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"22\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Costs and Fees to Consider<\/b><\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"23\">Moving money in the digital ecosystem involves certain technical costs that you should know to optimize your funds:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"24,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"24,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Network fees (Blockchain):<\/b> These are the network commissions (gas). They can vary from a few pence to several pounds depending on congestion.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"24,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"24,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Conversion:<\/b> Usually ranges between 0.5% and 2%.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"24,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"24,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Pro Tip:<\/b> For daily payments, it is ideal to use stablecoins (USDT or USDC) to avoid market volatility changing the price of your purchase while you are loading the card. For more on optimizing these processes, check out our guide on withdrawing from crypto platforms and casinos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"26\"><b data-path-to-node=\"26\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Is it legal to pay with crypto in the Erope?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"27\">Yes, it is entirely legal. There is no restriction preventing a citizen from using digital assets to acquire goods or services. However, you must keep two fundamental points in mind:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Taxation:<\/b> In Europe, exchanging crypto for goods or EUR is considered a disposal for <b data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"85\">Capital Gains Tax (CGT)<\/b> purposes. You must report any gains to <b data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"148\">HMRC<\/b> if they exceed your annual tax-free allowance.<\/li>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"28,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Regulation:<\/b> In 2026, the <b data-path-to-node=\"28,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"25\">Financial Conduct Authority (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fca.org.uk\/\">FCA<\/a>)<\/b> provides a robust framework for crypto-asset service providers, ensuring higher security for Europe consumers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"30\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-19212 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-ecommerce-criptomonedas.jpg\" alt=\"bitsa_crypto_contactless_payment\" width=\"710\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-ecommerce-criptomonedas.jpg 710w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-ecommerce-criptomonedas-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bitcoin-ecommerce-criptomonedas-700x428.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"30\"><b data-path-to-node=\"30\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"31,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Can I pay at Tesco or Sainsbury&#8217;s with Bitcoin?<\/b><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,0,0\">Not directly, as their terminals do not accept BTC. However, if you load your <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwiA2rT-4_SSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQvQo\">Bitsa prepaid card<\/a> with Bitcoin, you can pay there without any issues.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"31,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">How long does it take to convert crypto to GBP?<\/b><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,1,0\">With a prepaid card, the process is instant once the network confirmation is received. On a traditional exchange, a transfer to your bank could take 1 to 3 business days.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"31,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Are there spending limits?<\/b><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"31,2,0\">Yes, these depend on your card&#8217;s verification level (KYC), but they typically range from \u00a31,000 to \u00a310,000 per day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pay with Bitcoin at any merchant. 4 methods to convert crypto to euros and use it in-store, online, and at ATMs. Complete 2026 Guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":19525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[264],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19223"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19545,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19223\/revisions\/19545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitsacard.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}