How to withdraw cash abroad without fees
When you withdraw cash abroad, three costs can apply: the ATM's own fee, the ATM's currency conversion (DCC) and your own bank's fee. These rules help you avoid all three.
- Always decline the ATM's conversion and pay in local currency.
- Use bank ATMs instead of Euronet & co.
- Check the screen before confirming and cancel if there is a fee.
- Bring a card without foreign transaction fees.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often.
1. Always decline the ATM's currency conversion (DCC)
Many ATMs ask whether to charge you in your home currency and show a fixed amount in pounds, dollars or francs. This is dynamic currency conversion (DCC). The ATM uses its own exchange rate, often 5–13% worse than the Visa or Mastercard rate. On €200 that easily adds €10–25. Always choose “without conversion” or the local currency.
2. Bank ATMs instead of independent operators
Independent operators such as Euronet, YourCash, Cardpoint or Cashzone like airports, stations and tourist areas. They charge €2–5 almost everywhere and push expensive conversion particularly hard. Walk a few minutes further to a bank's ATM. They are marked red on our map.
3. Check the screen before confirming
ATMs in Europe usually show any operator fee before the withdrawal. If a fee appears, you can cancel at no cost and look for the next green ATM.
4. Know your own bank's fees
Regardless of the ATM, your bank may charge for foreign withdrawals, often a fixed amount plus a percentage, and a foreign transaction fee of 1–3% for other currencies. Check your card's price list before you travel. Many online banks and travel cards withdraw abroad without fees of their own.
5. Use a debit card rather than a credit card where possible
With some credit cards, cash counts as a cash advance: fees apply and sometimes interest starts immediately. Check your credit card terms before withdrawing with it.
6. Withdraw larger amounts less often
Fixed fees apply per withdrawal. Taking out €200 once instead of €50 four times means paying them only once. But only carry as much cash as you can keep safe.
7. Euro countries and beyond
With a euro card there is no conversion in euro countries, only possible ATM fees. With a card in pounds, dollars or francs, or in Switzerland, the UK, Czechia, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Romania and other countries with their own currency, the conversion trap (tip 1) matters most.
How the map helps
Green means: according to our sources usually no ATM fee. Yellow: unclear or depends on the bank. Red: fee common. Tap an ATM for the fee, sources and a route in Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Countries where bank ATMs are usually free
- Belgiumfree
- Bulgariafree
- Cyprusfree
- Estoniafree
- Francefree
- Irelandfree
- Latviafree
- Lithuaniafree
- Luxembourgfree
- Maltafree
- Netherlandsfree
- Portugalfree
- Romaniafree
- Swedenfree
- Switzerlandfree
- United Kingdomfree
FAQ
How can I withdraw cash abroad for free?
Use a bank ATM without an operator fee, decline the ATM's currency conversion and use a card whose bank charges no foreign fees.
Should I pay in my home currency or the local currency at the ATM?
Always the local currency or “without conversion”. The ATM's conversion (DCC) is almost always more expensive than your card's rate.
Are Euronet ATMs expensive?
Usually yes. Euronet and other independent operators charge €2–5 per withdrawal in almost every country and offer the expensive conversion.
How do I know if an ATM charges a fee?
In Europe the ATM usually shows the fee on screen before the withdrawal. You can still cancel for free.