Someone mentioned fraud protection, to be more explicit: With credit cards, you haven't truly paid until the credit card bill gets paid. So, if you have a dispute, you don't have to pay the disputed amount until the dispute is resolved. With a debit card, you've already paid, and so you're out the money until the dispute is resolved. Now, if the dispute is not resolved in your favor, you may have to pay interest on the credit card.
Related to the above, you don't need to make sure you have the money in your debit card account before buying things. You can just charge it and then make sure you're good to pay later. Example: you don't have the cash handy right now for an emergency car repair. You can still pay the mechanic, and then be able to pay off the car repair over the next two months.
Credit is a tool. Sometimes the tool is good and useful. Sometimes you blow your foot off with it.
My experience is similar to another commenter: never in my life did I have to dispute any payment (in Europe). I understand the idea of added consumer protection, but in practice there seems to be very little need for it.
And apparently banks in Europe tend to side with the creditor anyway, so I'm not looking forward to the day I actually have to dispute anything, be it credit or debit.
It is a tool, I agree, but like any other tool it can be excessively pushed and alternatives can be prioritized or not.
As far as I can say, with a European state of mind, is that a credit card poses a risk and temptation for the average person. Not everyone is financially responsible, many times simply due to lack of proper financial education, and they deserve a little attention.
Related to the above, you don't need to make sure you have the money in your debit card account before buying things. You can just charge it and then make sure you're good to pay later. Example: you don't have the cash handy right now for an emergency car repair. You can still pay the mechanic, and then be able to pay off the car repair over the next two months.
Credit is a tool. Sometimes the tool is good and useful. Sometimes you blow your foot off with it.