Paying in Taiwan: A Guide to Using Cash, EasyCard, and Mobile Payments

Living in Taiwan doesn't always mean relying solely on cash. Convenience stores, restaurants, department stores, and transportation often accept credit cards, EasyCards, or mobile payments. However, night markets, small eateries, and traditional markets may still only accept cash. The most practical approach is not to completely abandon cash, but to prepare two to three payment methods to avoid encountering situations where a store doesn't support your preferred method. Cash has the widest acceptance range, especially suitable for: · Night markets and traditional markets · Small restaurants and street food stalls · Some clinics, laundromats, and individual businesses · Rent, deposits, or temporary shared expenses Some stores only accept cash, while others do not accept large bills. Keeping some hundred-dollar bills and change on hand usually makes things more convenient. EasyCard is suitable for transportation and small purchases EasyCard is a stored-value card that can be topped up before use for contactless payments. Foreigners can purchase a regular EasyCard directly without needing a Taiwanese bank account. Common uses include: · MRT, buses, and some Taiwan Railways routes · YouBike · Convenience stores and some supermarkets · Vending machines and some eateries The advantage of EasyCard is its ease of use; you can pay even if your phone is out of battery. The disadvantage is that it cannot be used in all stores, and you need to top it up when the balance is insufficient. Lost unregistered EasyCards generally cannot have their remaining balance recovered. Long-term users may consider registering their card. LINE Pay is suitable for common chain stores and online purchases LINE Pay primarily works by displaying a payment code on your phone or scanning a merchant's QR Code, then deducting the amount from a linked credit card or debit card. It is quite common in convenience stores, department stores, chain restaurants, and some online stores. Regular LINE Pay can be linked with Visa, Mastercard, or JCB credit cards and debit cards, but successful linking may still be affected by the issuing bank, verification methods, or store policies. Foreigners who only want to use card-linked payments can try the regular LINE Pay first. To activate LINE Pay Money, which offers features like top-up and transfers, a Taiwanese mobile number, a valid chip-based residence permit, and a personal Taiwanese credit card or bank account are required for verification. JKO Pay requires more complete local information JKO Pay is also a QR code-based mobile payment method that can be linked to bank accounts, credit cards, or used with JKO account balances. Foreigners can register with a valid residence permit, but usually need to complete real-name verification. Some functions also require a Taiwanese bank account or a credit card issued by a domestic partner bank, and not all banks support foreign users. Therefore, individuals with short-term visas, no residence permit, or who have not yet opened a Taiwanese bank account will generally find it more difficult to fully use JKO Pay. Main differences between the four methods Cash: Widest acceptance, no application needed, but difficult to recover if lost. EasyCard: Best for transportation and small purchases, no bank account needed, simple to use. LINE Pay: Suitable for those already using LINE and have a card that can be linked; higher acceptance in chain stores. JKO Pay: Suitable for those who already have a residence permit and a Taiwanese financial account and wish to use payment and transfer functions. Mobile payments are not accepted everywhere Even if a store displays a mobile payment logo, it may not be usable due to equipment malfunction, network issues, or specific payment methods not being supported. Before paying, check the cashier's signage or directly show your phone screen to confirm. Your phone should also maintain sufficient battery power and network connection. Even if foreign credit cards are successfully linked, overseas transaction fees may still apply. Whether fees are incurred depends on the issuing bank and transaction processing method. The most practical daily combination For those who have just arrived in Taiwan and do not yet have a bank account, it is advisable to prepare: A small amount of cash + an EasyCard + a physical credit card After obtaining a residence permit and a Taiwanese bank account, choose LINE Pay or JKO Pay based on the stores you frequent. Taiwan has many payment methods, but no single one can completely replace others. Cash is for small shops and temporary expenses, EasyCard is for transportation, and mobile payments are suitable for chain stores and daily consumption. Using them in combination is the most convenient.