My debit card allows $600 per day from ATMs but $5000 per day on a point-of-sale (POS) purchase of foreign currency inside the bank (at fine rates with few fees). I have made these larger withdrawals in many countries, including Greece, Scandinavia, Germany and Austria, but Italy is more problematic (as was Spain), and they act as if I am crazy for even suggesting that it might be possible. In Rome, Deutsche Bank was the only bank allowing POS. Does anyone have any experience in the rest of Italy with making POS withdrawals? Such as at Deutsche Bank elsewhere or any other banks? Otherwise we have to withdraw just about every day from an ATM.
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
Wow - you must be doign everything first class or taking a huge family. Have your bank up the limit (but some ATMS have 300-500 limit per transaction meaning you just plug it in 2x for 600-800 etc).
I saw the DB and the french one in Italy a few places and they work with BofA partners. But you may not find them easily every place. You could try takign a few 1000 with you up front from here from which ever has the best rate then sublement when you get to half. Then when you come across a DB (look up their location if any to yoru destination cities before you leave).
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
I know I'm not answering your question, but wouldn't you rather withdraw $600 every few days than carry around thousands in cash?
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
Doing ANYTHING inside an Italian bank is a time consuming, time wasting experience. The ATM's are the most simple best bet and they are everywhere. last summer my neighbor gave us his house in a TINY, REMOTE mountaintop village outside of Napoli and they had an ATM.
Why would you want to take huge amounts of money at one time? If you are robbed or lose the money you are out the full amount. Taking money every few days is a better strategy.
Buon viaggio,
RB
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I'm sorry but I would never carry around that much cash with me. It is safer to take out the daily limit at the ATM every few days than it is to withdraw such a large amount. If you need a large amount to pay for an apartment the first day, have your bank increase your daily limit and make several withdraws the first day but I would really reconsider taking out that much cash at one time.
Donna