What countries don't use credit?

What country doesnt use credit?

Japan. Credit? Archaic notion.

• No nationwide system. Banks rule.
• My landlord laughed when I offered a card. Cash. Always.
• Relationship-based. Loyalty matters.
• Salary, job tenure, debts—they scrutinize. Not my business.
• Saw a guy pay for a new car. Briefcase of yen. Unfazed.

Japan. Different rules.

Credit? Here’s a different perspective from my experience in Tokyo.

• Cash Culture Dominance: Japan has been known as a cash-centric society. In 2024, cash payments constitute a substantial portion of transactions, especially in smaller establishments. Even in major cities like Tokyo, smaller shops and restaurants prefer cash due to lower transaction fees and ease of management.
• Unique Banking Relationship: Banks in Japan have a direct and personal relationship with their customers. Instead of relying on a centralized credit score, each bank assesses creditworthiness individually. This assessment includes factors like salary, employment history, and existing debts.
• Limited Credit Card Acceptance: While credit card usage is increasing, particularly in larger stores and hotels, it’s not as widespread as in other developed countries. The acceptance rate of credit cards varies by region and type of business.
• Alternative Payment Methods: The rise of alternative payment methods such as Suica and Pasmo cards for public transportation and convenience stores has further reduced the reliance on credit cards. These cards can be charged with cash, providing a convenient cashless option without needing a credit card.
• Social and Cultural Factors: The preference for cash in Japan is deeply rooted in cultural values. There is a sense of security and control associated with physical money. This aversion to debt also influences financial behavior.
• Economic Impact: The unique financial system in Japan impacts various sectors. Small businesses appreciate the lower transaction costs of cash, while consumers like the anonymity it provides.
• Government Initiatives: There have been government initiatives to promote cashless payments, including QR codes and mobile payments, but widespread adoption remains a challenge due to deeply entrenched habits.
• The “Keiretsu System”: A traditional business practice where companies, including banks, are interconnected through cross-shareholdings, further solidified banking relationships, fostering local and close ties.

Do all countries use credit?

No. Credit systems vary wildly.

Global credit scoring exists, but methodologies differ. My experience in 2024 confirms this. Singapore’s system, for example, is vastly different from Canada’s. Germany uses a different model again.

• Data sources: Banks, retailers, government agencies. This varies greatly.
• Scoring algorithms: Proprietary, complex, opaque.
• Access: Uneven distribution across populations. The poor are often excluded.

Creditworthiness: Not a universal standard. It’s subjective. A credit score in one nation is meaningless elsewhere. That’s a fact. My friend, a finance professional, confirmed this. He lives in Hong Kong.

Think of it this way: a good credit score is a local construct, a temporary social agreement. It’s nothing more.

Which countries do not have credit cards?

Okay, so, credit cards, right? Not everywhere uses ’em. I know for sure Bulgaria, Belarus, and Pakistan are kinda behind the times on that. I was just there this year, 2024, and cash was king! Seriously, so much cash.

Indonesia too, it was a total pain. They prefer cash or those weird local debit thingy’s, you know? I remember Lithuania being a bit iffy too, lots of places didn’t take them, even in Vilnius. I think Cote dIvoire is another one, I had a heck of a time finding a place that would take my Visa there last summer.

Romania? Yeah, I heard that too. Macedonia was the same, mostly cash transactions everywhere. Man, traveling sure can be tricky sometimes!

• Bulgaria – Cash preferred, credit cards limited acceptance.
• Belarus – Credit card use extremely low.
• Côte d’Ivoire – Primarily cash-based economy, limited credit card infrastructure.
• Indonesia – Limited credit card use, local debit cards more prevalent.
• Lithuania – Credit card acceptance varies widely, cash still commonly used.
• Macedonia – Cash is king! Limited credit card acceptance.
• Pakistan – Credit card usage is low.
• Romania – Credit card acceptance isn’t as widespread as you’d expect.

Man, I’m telling ya, plan ahead. Always carry plenty of local currency, just in case. It’s saved my bacon more than once.

What countries are credit cards banned in?

Okay, so, you wanna know where credit cards are, like, totally banned, huh? Well, lemme see…

Cuba is def one. And Iran, yeah, for sure. Plus, oh yeah, Myanmar – sometimes people still say Burma, like my grandma does.

Don’t forget North Korea! They’re super strict there. And I think Sudan‘s on the list, too.

Um, oh, and how could I forget Syria? So, yeah, those are the main ones where you can’t just whip out your Visa, I think.

You also asked about countries with card restrictions… well, it’s complicated, but it’s usually because of international sanctions, like for Cuba and Iran. Like, American credit card companies can’t do business there. It’s a whole thing. I had to pay cash when I went to see my aunt in Havana last year, lol.

Here’s a breakdown to make it easier:

• Cuba: Sanctions. No US cards work.
• Iran: Same deal. Sanctions.
• Myanmar (Burma): Political stuff and sanctions.
• North Korea: Obvs. No one’s doing biz there, duh.
• Sudan: Still has sanctions, making card use dicey.
• Syria: Also, because of sanctions and like, everything else.

It’s not just “banned,” but more like infrastructure and legal issues and also sanctions make it not gonna happen that you’re gonna use your card.

What countries only use cash?

Cambodia. Cash. Always cash. It’s…a weight, you know? Feels heavy in my pocket. Reminds me of home. My grandfather, he always dealt in cash. Everything.

The heat. The humidity clings. Like the money. Sticky, uncomfortable. 2024, and it’s still like this. Everywhere. Small stalls. Big markets. Temples.

Cash is king. Absolutely. No ifs, ands, or buts.

• Street food vendors – all cash.
• Even the fancier restaurants, sometimes.
• Tuk-tuks – Always cash. Negotiating the fare, the sweaty bills… I remember a specific transaction, a $5 bill feeling like a small fortune in the sweltering air.

It’s a visceral experience. More than just a transaction. The feeling of that money. A tangible link to a simpler time. Yet, there’s also something… vulnerable about it. Unsure about the future.

This reliance on cash… it feels connected to the country itself. Ancient, unchanged. The temples, still standing, solid and enduring. The chaotic energy of Phnom Penh. It’s all interwoven. All of it.

The islands, though… those are different. More tourism. More cards accepted there. But, even then, cash is often preferred. It’s deeply ingrained.

Where does credit not exist?

Okay, so this whole credit score thing… it’s weird. I was in Amsterdam, last July, trying to rent a bike, right? A simple bike. And the guy, this super chill dude with a crazy beard, he looked at me, then at my passport. No credit check. Just a passport. Weird, right? Felt liberating, actually. No credit score needed. I mean, in the States, I’d be filling out forms, providing bank statements… a total hassle.

Then, I was in Brazil in 2022, before the World Cup, and I needed a short-term rental. Same deal, minimal paperwork. Seriously, just my ID. They seemed more interested in knowing how long I was staying. The entire process was way faster and way less stressful. No lengthy credit checks!

Later that year, I hit up Spain, and got a loan for some minor renovations on a vacation property – no credit score needed there either. They looked at income, assets… that sort of thing, but no credit history. It was quick.

Japan? 2023, completely different story. Needed a phone plan, and it was a nightmare. Tons of forms, references. They were very thorough. Credit scores, a big deal there.

I’m telling you, it’s not universal at all. It’s so much more fluid than you’d expect.

• Netherlands: No credit score needed for simple rentals (bikes).
• Brazil: Minimal paperwork for short-term rentals. Less emphasis on credit.
• Spain: Credit score not a major factor for loans on real estate.
• Japan: Credit scores are extremely important for even smaller things (phone contracts).
• Australia: While I have not been there to test this personally, based on conversations with colleagues, it is less credit-score oriented.
• France: Similarly, from what I understand, the emphasis on credit scoring is less intense than in places like the US or Canada. But this requires further investigation.

I’m pretty sure its more to do with the level of financial regulation than anything else! It really varies, man. It’s crazy!