When you travel in Europe you will need to carry some cash in Euros or the local currency of the European country you happen to be in as some businesses don’t accept credit or debit cards. This means you will have to withdraw cash from ATMs in Europe. However, there are many ATM scams and currency exchange services with terrible rates designed to trick tourists and charge exorbitant fees. This article was written to help you learn which ATMs to choose and what to do to withdraw cash with minimal fees.
What are ATMs Called in Europe?
In Europe, ATMs have different names depending on which country you go to. For example in Switzerland they are called Bankomat, in the UK they are called cash points and in France they are called DABs.
When Should You Use an ATM in Europe?
Where possible you should use your debit cards (Revolut, Wise, Monzo) to make payments at restaurants, hostels and other businesses. Only use ATMs when necessary as Revolut and Monzo have free withdrawal limits.
Never use a currency or money exchange in Europe. These places will charge you excessive fees every time!
What ATMs Should You Use in Europe?
The best ATMs are the ones the locals use. If you are staying at a hostel, hotel or airbnb you should ask the staff/hosts which ATMs they use and trust. If you have no one to ask then look for bank owned/run ATMs particularly ones in areas where they are inside buildings or have surveillance cameras. You are much less likely to have people trying to steal from you at these ATMs. If you can, try to use bank ATMs next to the relevant bank during opening hours. This way they can help you if you have any problems.
Avoid independent (non-bank) ATMs at all costs. You should only use them as a last resort. Examples include Euronet, Your Cash, Travelex, Cash zone and Cardpoint. Some will have a sign saying “Free Cash Withdrawals” which is never the case. These ATMs are designed to make you pay high fees for withdrawing cash. If you accept their currency conversion the conversion rate will be above market rates. If you decline their currency conversion your card/bank will do the currency conversion at fairer market rates but these ATMs will often make you pay extra “processing fees” to use this option.
Try to avoid using ATMs at airports. There are a lot of independently owned ATMs there targeting tourists.
Tips on How to Use an ATM in Europe?
- Before you use any ATMs in Europe make sure your bank knows where you will be travelling and, if asked, give authorisation for the use of your card overseas. If you use a Revolut card or another digital bank card you do not need to give authorisation (on the phone app you can activate or disable the ATM withdrawal function on your card). Keep it disabled all the time except when you are withdrawing cash from an ATM for security.
- Check your debit card’s daily ATM withdrawal limits. Keep in mind a $500 AUD limit is not a €500 or £500 limit. It seems obvious but it is a mistake people easily make.
- Make sure you use a low fee debit card. You should make yourself very familiar with your card’s fees for transactions and ATM withdrawals. Revolut, Monzo, Starling and/or Wise cards are ideal. If you use another bank debit card make sure they charge low international ATM withdrawal fees. One of my friends was smart and use to carry her Revolut and Monzo cards on all European trips. Once she reached the maximum free ATM withdrawal limit on one card, she would then start using the other card.
- Choose a suitable ATM to use as outlined above.
- As for most places, check there is no one watching you typing your pin or being shady around you when you are withdrawing cash. If you have a friend, ask them to come with you.
- All ATMs in Europe will have an English language option so do not worry if you do not know how to read in the national language.
- Always choose to withdraw money in the local currency to avoid the ATMs charging huge conversion fees.
- ATMs may then ask you if you wish to allow them to convert the currency of your money to the local currency. Always decline conversions on ATMs. This means you are choosing for your card/bank to make the currency conversion (usually at market rates) before you withdraw your cash. If you accept conversions on ATMs they will charge you above the market rate. After selecting to decline conversion some independent ATMs will still tell you there is a processing fee and will ask you whether you want to proceed. This does not happen on all ATMs so I suggest you move to another one if this is the case.
- Try to withdraw larger amounts when you are at an ATM. Usually there is a set fee so minimising the number of withdrawals will be cheaper. Some bank cards will also have a limited number of free ATM withdrawal limits.
- If you put a foreign debit card into an ATM they usually will offer only big cash notes. Try to withdraw an odd number of cash so the ATM will have to give you some smaller cash notes too. For example, $280.
- Always take at least two debit cards linked to different banks. If one gets lost or gets swallowed by an ATM at least you still have access to your funds. Make sure you cancel the other ATM card as soon as possible!
What do I do if an ATM Swallows my Card in Europe?
ATMs in Europe and the rest of the world can swallow your card permanently. This can happen when they are suspicious of fraud (this is why you must tell your bank if you are travelling overseas), the wrong pin is entered, the card is faulty or criminals have tampered with the machine.
If this happens to you, do not panic. Wait for 10-15 minutes first to see if the ATM spits your card out. If it does not then record the time and the location of the ATM. Also, take photos of the ATM including any registration numbers or other unique identifiers on the ATM.
Next, call your bank and explain the situation. Most will have 24/7 support. They will be able to freeze your card and may be able to send you a new card (Most digital banks will allow you to cancel cards on their phone apps and can also send you replacement cards for a fee. Revolut even has an express delivery option for some countries). Hopefully you will have another card you can use in the meantime. Otherwise you may need to make some changes to your travel plans while you wait for a new card.