To put that more seriously, I've read several warnings (though not in Rick Steves's books) that European ATMs won't accept a PIN that has more than 4 digits. Mine has 5, and as I've used it for 25 years I'm reluctant to change it, though I will if I have to.
I'm planning to visit Slovenia and Croatia. Has anyone had experience with cash machines in those countries that would answer my question whether a 5-digit PIN would or would not work?
You could always open up another account with a card attached to it with a 4 digit PIN and use that in Europe. We are going to have to do that because our card is not on a international network. Might cost a little, but it might be worth it.
Charlie, I have not visited Slovenia or Croatia but my experience in other EU countries and Switzerland is that your PIN CANNOT exceed four digits. Also, you will need to remove any letters. ATMs over there have no letters on the keypad.
For what it's worth: In the last year no one on this site has said they successfully used, in the EU or Britain, Switzerland, etc, a PIN with more than 4 digits, and the question has been asked at least once a month.
Well, the evidence does seem pretty well stacked up on one side of the question. I'm sorry to have asked an FAQ -- I did look for a search field, but couldn't find one. (It's clear enough this morning, though.)
We've already done what Jon suggested; our regular account is just for backup. And my wife's PIN only has 4 digits. So I'll keep thinking about it, but much better informed than before. Thanks.
I have never had a problem using my 7-digit pin to get cash in (Western) Europe. This is good since my bank would not let me set a 4-digit pin.
As I recall, the fist four digits were all the ATMS there paid attention to.
This could change, and your card could be different. I think you should talk about this with someone at your bank. But that has been my experience.
