Debit cards??? which ones most accepted??

PLUS is the Visa card network and you will find it accepted by virtually every ATM in Europe.

Your bank is correct. Two most common and widely available are Cirrus and Plus. The Mastercard and Visa networks. I have never seen an ATM in Europe that did not accept both at the same time.

Your debit card needs to be connected to your checking account only. ATM's in Europe do not give you the option of checking or savings.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm

To clarify Robins comment, when using your debit card in Europe, generally you only have access to cash in your checking account. If you have access to your savings account here in the US via ATM, there is no change you need to make to your account, other than transfer $ to your checking before you leave, or online while there.

Sometimes you aren't given the option of transferring money from savings to checking once overseas. Do definitely transfer all that you think you might need, and then a little extra, especially if the dollar keeps getting weaker. Happy travels.

I've used ATM cards all over Europe for the last ten years and only been rejected three times: once in Salzburg in 2000, once in Ljubljana in 2006 (where I tried 8 different ATMs around town to no avail), and once in Helsinki in 2007 (but the Helsinki one was because my credit union's computers were down that day, not an acceptance issue). Now I carry an ATM card from my bank and one from my credit union plus US cash as a backup in case they're both rejected :) I would say you'll have no problems withdrawing at European ATMs (most machines are covered with different logos they accept), but if you're worried, take come US cash as a backup to exchange.

Cash limits were our biggest issue with using ATMs on our trip to Europe in 2009. They were mostly imposed by the ATMs. Sometimes we needed to plan around that so we would have enough money especially to pay for lodging that required cash. CUs or banks can also have dramatically different cash limits. For example, our CU#1 has a $2500 per day ATM cash limit and the limit for our CU#2 is $400. The latter limitation is ridiculous and I'm going to let them know about it. However, CU#2 does offer a Reloadable Prepaid Travel Card that can be used as a VISA debit or credit card and can be set up with a name and pin. An advantage is that the only cash limits are those imposed by the ATM. A disadvantage is that even if it is lost or stolen and the use is blocked, we can't get it replaced or the money attached to it back into our account until we return from the trip.

Ok, I am really confused now!! If I only have a savings account with an ATM, it will not work in a European ATM machine.? YOu can only use a card that is connected to a checking account? I only have a savings and not a checking. Please tell me what to do as I don't want to be without cash while in Europe!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!!!!!!

Lisa - this question has come up in the past & I think the answer to your question is that your savings-account-only ATM card MIGHT work in Europe but it also MIGHT NOT. The best thing for you to do would be to open a checking account & deposit your travel funds into it. If you don't have the time to do this, you might look into prepaid debit cards, which are offered by Visa & Mastercard. Travelex has a prepaid chip-and-pin debit card that you can load with euros. You'll find these far easier to use overseas than travelers checks. Another aspect of your situation is that most savings accounts allow a maximum of 6 withdrawals a month, which could be another problem for you when traveling.

Thanks Tom, I don't want to take the chance so I will go and open a checking account.
Lisa

You want a checking account. I have yet to see a European ATM that asked me if I wanted to withdraw from savings. If the card has a Visa or Mastercard Logo, it will work virtually anywhere. If we had a contest to find the ATM that doesn't take both, I bet no one would find one.

Tom is right that a savings-only ATM card might work and might not. I won't bore you with the technical reasons. But the machine is not going to ask checking or savings. Best to have an alternate plan for getting cash.