VAT stands for Value Added Tax. This is a government tax on the final consumption of goods and services. It is collected at every stage of production and distribution. In effect this means that anything you buy or pay for will be subject to VAT if value has been added at some point. So you will pay VAT on many goods and services, for example, for a meal in a restaurant, a repair to your computer, a CD or a travel ticket.

Visa is an American company with a European affiliate. Visa licences banks to issue payment cards with the Visa Brand. Visa cards can be debit cards (to access bank accounts) or credit cards. Visa also licences banks to enter agreements with shops to accept Visa branded Cards.

Visa cards can also be used to obtain cash at ATM's.

Visa debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted in the UK, Ireland and worldwide as well as being widely accepted on the internet.