Why do ATMs and shops in Tunisia just keep declining my wise card. It worked fine in other countries
Wise card totally failed me in Hammamet. Couldn’t withdraw, and every shop or cafe I tried to use it at just declined it. Locals weren’t surprised-they said most card systems in Tunisia only support local cards or ones from major global banks. I ended up using Western Union to pull out cash from my Wise account and that worked, though not ideal. Definitely bring cash or a traditional card if you're coming here.
Had some success at a BIAT ATM near Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis. I made sure to use chip+PIN, selected TND, and declined the conversion prompt. Got my cash on the second attempt. I’d also switched my Wise balance to TND beforehand, which might’ve helped. No luck at shops though-even a big electronics store wouldn’t accept it. So use it for ATM withdrawals if you must, but carry backup cash.
I was in Sousse and my Wise Mastercard didn’t work at any ATM-tried Banque de Tunisie and UIB. I even asked a hotel clerk to try it at their terminal-still got declined. Funny enough, my traditional bank Visa went through just fine. Wise had worked perfectly for me in Italy days before. Seems like Tunisia’s financial system just isn’t friendly to newer digital cards.
Just came back from Tunis, and Wise was a complete letdown. Tried to withdraw from BIAT, Amen Bank, and ATB ATMs-all gave me ‘transaction failed’ or ‘issuer unavailable’. Even big stores in Lafayette like Monoprix and Carrefour declined the card at checkout. Locals said the card networks in Tunisia are not always connected with foreign fintech banks. Ended up using cash the whole time, exchanged from EUR I brought with me.