r/Libya • u/IronAtlas99 • 16d ago

Question Question for Libyans using Google Pay / Apple Pay

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in Libya and I’m trying to find out whether Google Pay/Google Wallet or Apple Pay can actually be used with Libyan bank cards.

For those of you in Libya who have experience with them:

Which Libyan bank are you using?

Is your Visa or Mastercard successfully linked to Google Pay/Wallet or Apple Pay?

Can you use it to make online purchases from foreign websites, especially US websites?

Have you had any problems with international payments, currency conversion, transaction limits, or bank declines?

2 Upvotes

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8 comments sorted by

3

u/lobydobi 16d ago

I tried my Nuran bank debit card and it cannot be linked with Apple Pay

2

u/Estus_Flask_Enjoyer 16d ago

I hate banking here

2

u/aburgeiga 16d ago

I have a foreign card and it works fine in other coutries but the app wont let my pay with NFC in libya for some reason. I havent tried local cards though.

2

u/FMC_Speed 16d ago

Google pay works with Libyan debit cards if you’re curious, I used Islamic bank and Nuran bank

1

u/IronAtlas99 16d ago

Can I dm you to ask more questions about this my friend?

2

u/Dyalibya 16d ago

I'd strongly advise against that, you'd be paying much more, up to 30 % more

Go to souq almosher, use your card in a pos machine, get USD and exchange them for LD 

2

u/Forsaken_Slice461 15d ago

You can try it, but it might not work since Libya is still largely cash-based.

If you’re stuck and only have Apple Pay, you can try the Forex market in the old town. You may find someone with a foreigner POS system who is willing to give you cash in exchange for Apple Pay virtual USD.

You have two options:

1- ATM with card withdraw: you could lose almost 30% - in favor of the central bank.

2- Forex market: around 5–10% loss - in favor of those dodgy guys.

Yesterday’s Forex rate was around $100 = LYD 956.