Living Expenses Abroad

DIS Summer, Mix and Match between Copenhagen and Stockholm

How much money do you need for a DIS Summer Session?

Lifestyles differ while living abroad. For expenses per week, past students have reported using approximately $100-$150 for meals and $100-150 for personal expenses.

ATM/Debit Cards Abroad

DIS recommends that you use a debit/ATM card that is either a Visa or MasterCard during your time abroad, as these are widely accepted in both Scandinavian cities. Students often run into issues with American Express and Discover cards.

Debit Cards Abroad

  • Tell your bank you are traveling abroad and might take money out from various countries
  • Inquire about the fee per ATM withdraw as well as your daily withdrawal limit, so you can strategize how often you will take out money
  • If possible, it is recommended to only use ATMs at local Danish/Swedish banks to withdraw money
  • Occasionally, some shops in Denmark or Sweden will not accept cards without a four-digit pin code; make sure your debit/ATM card has a four-digit pin code you can use

Credit Cards Abroad

Foreign credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted in Europe and often are accepted at department stores, restaurants, taxis, and for making travel accommodations.

For best results in using a credit card abroad, follow these guidelines:

  • Use a credit card with a chip
  • Ask your bank if you can add a four-digit pin number to your credit card. This is not required, but could help with some transactions.
  • If you use a credit card without either a chip, pin, or both, you may need to tell the employee at the cash register that you wish to sign for the payment and do not have a pin
    • Using a credit card through Apple Pay (or similar) can bypass the requirement for a pin or signature
  • Check with your company for fee information on international purchases. There are many credit cards available without international fees.