Ways of payment, card or cash

One thing surprised me a lot in Germany was that not everyone accepts debit or credit card from other countries. There are supermarkets were you can pay with credit or debit cards like Rewe or Rossmann, but most of other supermarkets or big shops don't accept them. The only thing they can accept is a EC card (like a debit card) that you can get when you open a bank account in Germany. A bank account is necessary for the payment of your residence. This is the first thing to do when you come. I advice you to have some cash with you when you come (at least 700 euro) 'cause between the 200 euros;kaution; (the insurance for the residence, you get it back when your contract ends) and 200 more for the first month... you end with nothing. Every university has a fee to pay at the beggining of the semester. If you don't want to carry a big amount of cash with you you can make a debit card;NX; in Caixa Nova. With this card you can get money in any ATM without paying any fee.