When I travel to Europe I always bring my old Garmin GPS unit loaded with the European map for driving directions. However, since Europe is small, often times I drive through different countries and I need to change the country in my Garmin GPS. Read on to find out the simple steps for changing the country on your Garmin GPS unit while traveling.
Learning how to change countries on Garmin GPS units is a crucial step to do before going on your trip to Europe. My suggestion is that you learn how to countries on your Garmin maps before you leave on your trip so that you don’t waste time fumbling with your Garmin GPS unit once you arrive at your destination.
The advantages of a reliable GPS system
My old Garmin GPS system is one of my best devices for traveling to Europe! I neither have to buy expensive data plans for my phone nor have to worry about finding phone or Wi-Fi signal. Just turn my Garmin on, enter my destination and drive. A reliable & inexpensive Garmin GPS unit just works anywhere and saves me tons of grief.
However, there is one scenario that always happen when I arrive in Europe. I turn on my Garmin GPS and wait for it to receive satellite signal. I change to the European map I have loaded previously on the external mini SD card.
However, sometimes, my Garmin starts in the wrong country. Other times I travel across country borders to a different country. In both of these cases I need to change countries on Garmin GPS system.
How do I do that?
How to change countries on Garmin GPS systems?
It is easy! Here are the steps for changing the country on your Garmin:
- Press Where To
- Press Address or press Attractions. At the top of the screen it will show you the country you are currently using.
- Press Change Country at the bottom.
- Type the name of the country you want.
- Press done.
Now your Garmin GPS will be set for the country you have selected. This country will be set until you change the country again. All you have to do now is drive.
You can also learn how to switch maps on your Garmin GPS unit if you travel to Europe and back home in the US. One of my favorite features is saving favorite locations before leaving on my trip.
In order to make sure you can charge your Garmin GPS unit (and other devices) you have to have the right plug adapters for Europe so that your electronic devices function properly in Europe.
My best resources for your Garmin GPS
Get the official Garmin Europe map on an SD card and save $20. Just pop it into your Garmin Device and you’re ready to go. Getting the map on an SD card is the best way to go as it saves you the time to download and install it yourself. This map is compatible with most Garmin devices from older Nuvi models to the newest Drive models.
If you are looking to buy a GPS unit so you don’t depend on any wifi or data plan while traveling, take a look at this reliable & inexpensive Garmin GPS unit. Make sure you also buy the European map as the unit comes only with the US map pre-installed.
If you don’t have time to order your maps on the SD card and already have a Garmin GPS unit, download Garmin Express software to update your unit’s software, purchase and install maps directly from Garmin.
Get the right plug adapter for Europe or England. Durable, dual input plug adapters.
This article is part of my series called Maximize your Garmin GPS unit.
- How to switch maps on Garmin GPS System
- How to change countries on Garming GPS System
- Planning your trip with Garmin GPS Favorites
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How can I create routes on my Garmin for Ireland prior to arriving? I have the software installed and my micro chip installed to the device but I would like to create my routes in advance to save time.
Janet…see my other article about adding favorites on your Garmin GPS system.
I just bought a Garmin Drivesmart 61 NMT-S GPS. I’m presently using Canada as my Home Country.
I’m having trouble changing the United States as the country where I will be travelling in the near future.
The how to change Countries in this Site does not work on my GPS.
Please give the solution fo this
Roy…check these simple things first:
1. Make sure that the map you have has the USA included and it is not Canada only. Look at the box your device comes in.
2. Press “where to”. By default Garmin GPS searches near your location. To make it search near another city press the location button on the top left.
Do you see the change country button?
If not enter a city from the USA in the search bar, if it’s not found then your map doesn’t have USA in it.
Here are the steps from the user’s manual:https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart51-61/EN-US/GUID-B23F6873-1D88-489F-9FFC-2932A09C7F73.html
I loaded the Greece and Italy micro sd card into my Drive 52.can I change to the Italy maps while still in the U.S. When I go to the Address it does not offer a change of countries map option.
Harriet…first you have to change the map. If this is one map containing Italy and Greece then you can change countries. If they are 2 separate maps one for each country, then you will have to change maps instead of changing countries.
Answer for Anne
Try putting in Espana.
I have a Nuvi 200w with the Europe maps. I have forgotten how to change countries. It was a simple switch before. The where to / address does not indicate country change.
The GPS tech last year walked me thru it, but memory is short.
Please provide how to change countries.
Al…this is what it says in the Garmin Nuvi 200w manual:
1. Touch Where to? > Address
2. Change the state, country or province, if necessary.
3. Touch Spell City…and go on from there.
I am unable to change country. I wish ti change country, the scenerio you describe does not occur. when I press address , the present country does not show on the screen. I am working with a Nuvi 2460lmt.
Diane…I am not sure exactly why, but make sure first that you have the right map installed and selected in your device. Read my article about switching maps on Garmin first, then retry the procedure outlined in this article to change countries.
I have done exactly as suggested in trying to change maps to a different country but when I enter Spain it comes up “no matches”
Anne…not sure exactly what is going on, but first check to see that you have installed the European map on your Garmin GPS and then you have switched your Garmin GPS to the European map. Once you have switched to the right map module, Spain should appear in the list of countries.
We purchased a garmin driveassist50 to use in Europe…. based on the links you provided does this mean I have to BUY the European maps for the GPS to work? The sales person said I could just download them… without any mention of extra cost :(
Would you mind advising me?
Thanks for all the helpful info in your writeup.
DIBS
Ingrid…yes, you do have to purchase the Europe map because when you buy a Garmin unit in the USA, it comes with the US map only. The description of the device indicates that it comes preloaded with the US map. I will add some clarification to my article.
I was just given the Garmin 2689. Says Mexico is loaded along with US, etc. but when I go change countries, since I live in Mexico, I get “no matches found”. Why???
Zoe…not sure why…but try entering an address in Mexico and see if it comes up. If it does, the USA and Mexico might me treated together and you don’t have to change countries.