Anyone recently used ATM at Schiphol Airport?

There are two levels of fees. First, the fee to use or access an ATM. That is determined by the local ownership of the ATM. After that all the fees are determined by your bank and network you use. Generally the network fee is buried in the exchange rate and is about a quarter to half percent. Cannot be avoided. After that it is your bank or card issuer call. I rarely worry about the fee charged by the ATM owner -- only a couple of euro.

There is ABN Amro Bank ATM at the bag claim check and branch outside past customs. No fees if you have an account.

This doesn't answer your question, but I will say that when I was in Amsterdam for a week earlier this month, I only used about ten Euros the whole time I was there. I was surprised that so many restaurants and stores would not accept cash at all. For a couple of examples, Keukenhof Garden takes only credit cards including their souvenir stores and snack bars, and the bathrooms at Zaanse Schans only took credit cards too, no cash.

@Jazz+Travels; since a couple of years, there are no more ABN-AMRO ATM’s at Schiphol. The only ATM’s left are run by Travelex.

Unless you have a bank account in Euros, all ATM’s in the Netherlands charge some sort of fee to withdraw money. The major banks in the Netherlands have pooled their ATM’s together and operate them under the name Geldmaat. They charge a fee for withdrawals from non-Euro bankaccounts; See Frequently Asked Question #2 https://www.geldmaat.nl/information-english
Other operators are Travelex and Euronet and they also charge a fee, but they tend to try hide the fact that they do that.

This doesn't answer your question, but I will say that when I was in Amsterdam for a week earlier this month, I only used about ten Euros the whole time I was there. I was surprised that so many restaurants and stores would not accept cash at all. For a couple of examples, Keukenhof Garden takes only credit cards including their souvenir stores and snack bars, and the bathrooms at Zaanse Schans only took credit cards too, no cash.

Thank you for this information. While it didn't answer the question I asked, it is useful information for me.

I will be in Europe (Netherlands-Amsterdam, Germany-Cologne-Mannheim-Munich, France-Paris-Normandy and Austria-Salzburg) for a month and I wonder if I will have the same experience for little need of cash in these other Countries?

I was told that I should also use Apple Pay in Europe, so added it and I have used it a few times here in the USA, but I wonder if there will be much need or possibility to use in the Countries I will be in?

Thank you for your help
Ken

Using Apple Pay is just a different way of reading your credit or debit card. Apple Pay turns the NFC chip in your phone or watch into a credit card chip. The payment terminal doesn’t care if the NFC chip is embedded in a plastic card, in a phone, in a watch or in an arm. It cares if it can read the chip and if it can accept the credit or debit card linked to that chip.

This means that whether or not Apple Pay will work, depends on whether or not the credit card or debit card linked to your Apple Pay is accepted. If you’ve linked an American Express credit card to Apple Pay, it won’t work if the store doesn’t accept American Express credit cards. In that case , the reason it doesn’t work has nothing to do with Apple Pay not working, but with American Express not being accepted.
Every payment terminal in Europe will have the ability to read the NFC chip in your IPhone or Apple Watch. So technically every payment terminal can accept an Apple Pay payment. But not every merchant accepts credit cards. And those that do accept credit cards, mostly only accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express isn’t accepted a lot.

@Jazz+Travels; since a couple of years, there are no more ABN-AMRO ATM’s at Schiphol. The only ATM’s left are run by Travelex.
Unless you have a bank account in Euros, all ATM’s in the Netherlands charge some sort of fee to withdraw money. The major banks in the Netherlands have pooled their ATM’s together and operate them under the name Geldmaat. They charge a fee for withdrawals from non-Euro bankaccounts; See Frequently Asked Question #2 https://www.geldmaat.nl/information-english
Other operators are Travelex and Euronet and they also charge a fee, but they tend to try hide the fact that they do that.

Thank you for your help and information.
My bank accounts are in $USD, so it looks like there will be a fee.

Of the 3 (Geldmaat, Travelex & Euronet) do you have a preference for oneee over the others?
Do they charge a set fee no matter if I get 100 Euro or 1,000 Euro or do they charge a percentage on how much I take out?
Do they have a limit of how many Euro I can get per transaction?

Thanks again for your help and information
Ken

“Do they charge a set fee no matter if I get 100 Euro or 1,000 Euro or do they charge a percentage on how much I take out?”

I prefer Geldmaat because they are owned by the banks and are honest about their fees. Please see the link in my earlier post for the calculation of the fees by Geldmaat.

“Do they have a limit of how many Euro I can get per transaction?”

ATM’s have a technical limit of 40 bills per transaction. The highest bill is usually €50. So the technical limit is €2000. It’s very likely though that your bank has set a much lower limit per transaction.

Using Apple Pay is just a different way of reading your credit or debit card. Apple Pay turns the NFC chip in your phone or watch into a credit card chip. The payment terminal doesn’t care if the NFC chip is embedded in a plastic card, in a phone, in a watch or in an arm. It cares if it can read the chip and if it can accept the credit or debit card linked to that chip.
This means that whether or not Apple Pay will work, depends on whether or not the credit card or debit card linked to your Apple Pay is accepted. If you’ve linked an American Express credit card to Apple Pay, it won’t work if the store doesn’t accept American Express credit cards. In that case , the reason it doesn’t work has nothing to do with Apple Pay not working, but with American Express not being accepted.
Every payment terminal in Europe will have the ability to read the NFC chip in your IPhone or Apple Watch. So technically every payment terminal can accept an Apple Pay payment. But not every merchant accepts credit cards. And those that do accept credit cards, mostly only accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express isn’t accepted a lot.

Thank you for this information, it is very helpful.
Looks like I am in good shape with my Visa Credit Card and MasterCard Debits and Apple Pay.

Thanks again
Ken

“Looks like I am in good shape with my Visa Credit Card and MasterCard Debits and Apple Pay.”

Well, that depends on which card you’ve linked to your Apple Pay account.

There are two levels of fees. First, the fee to use or access an ATM. That is determined by the local ownership of the ATM. After that all the fees are determined by your bank and network you use. Generally the network fee is buried in the exchange rate and is about a quarter to half percent. Cannot be avoided. After that it is your bank or card issuer call. I rarely worry about the fee charged by the ATM owner -- only a couple of euro.

Thank you for your help.
$2.50-$5.00 per thousand isn't bad and 2 Euro isn't bad if it would let me get 1,000 Euro in one transaction.

There has been a few times here in the USA that the ATM charges $2-$5 and then limits the withdrawal to just $200. It would add up quick if you need $1,000 and are required to make 5 withdrawals.

Thank you for your help
Ken

“Looks like I am in good shape with my Visa Credit Card and MasterCard Debits and Apple Pay.”
Well, that depends on which card you’ve linked to your Apple Pay account.

I linked the Visa Credit Card to Apple Pay.

Is it common for businesses in Netherlands, Germany, France and Austria to not accept cash or VISA?

I would hope that Restaurants would have it very well marked if they do not accept Visa Credit Card or cash before I eat.
In the USA, I have only had one restaurant tell me that they only accept Credit Card for payment after I ate my meal and all I had was cash. After the initial shock of this announcement, it came down to getting paid or not paid and they accepted the cash.

Thank you
Ken

“ Is it common for businesses in Netherlands, Germany, France and Austria to not accept cash or VISA?”

I can only answer for the Netherlands. It’s common that certain places don’t accept cash. It’s also common that certain places don’t accept credit cards. It’s rare for places to decline both credit cards and cash.
I know that in Germany quite a few places are cash only. For France and Austria, you should ask on the forums for these countries.

“ Is it common for businesses in Netherlands, Germany, France and Austria to not accept cash or VISA?”
I can only answer for the Netherlands. It’s common that certain places don’t accept cash. It’s also common that certain places don’t accept credit cards. It’s rare for places to decline both credit cards and cash.
I know that in Germany quite a few places are cash only. For France and Austria, you should ask on the forums for these countries.

Thank you for all of your help
Ken

$2.50-$5.00 per thousand isn't bad and 2 Euro isn't bad if it would let me get 1,000 Euro in one transaction.

First, you will not need that much cash, just use your credit card and Apple Pay you said you have. Get out a couple hundred max.

Second, having a 1000 in cash presents risk of losing it, so limit what you have on you.

Also, not mentioned is the scourge of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When doing an ATM or credit card transaction, you may be presented with a question (and more, and more two questions). They will ask if you want to do the transaction in euros or Dollars, Choose euros. The terminal may then ask something to the effect of "Are you sure? You won't be guaranteed of what the exchange rate is?" then again decline or reject their conversion. Basically it is a way to take you from a simple ATM or Credit transaction to a currency conversion transaction, for which you will wind up paying about 10% extra (seen as low as 5%, as high as 15%).

Also, reject any offer to check your balance, again, they are offering you an extra service, for which they may be able to charge an extra fee (More common in Euronet ATMs).

First, you will not need that much cash, just use your credit card and Apple Pay you said you have. Get out a couple hundred max.
Second, having a 1000 in cash presents risk of losing it, so limit what you have on you.
Also, not mentioned is the scourge of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When doing an ATM or credit card transaction, you may be presented with a question (and more, and more two questions). They will ask if you want to do the transaction in euros or Dollars, Choose euros. The terminal may then ask something to the effect of "Are you sure? You won't be guaranteed of what the exchange rate is?" then again decline or reject their conversion. Basically it is a way to take you from a simple ATM or Credit transaction to a currency conversion transaction, for which you will wind up paying about 10% extra (seen as low as 5%, as high as 15%).
Also, reject any offer to check your balance, again, they are offering you an extra service, for which they may be able to charge an extra fee (More common in Euronet ATMs).

Thank you for this information on DCC and the ATMs, it will be helpful.

Do you really feel that 200 euro for 1 month, spread out over 4 countries would be enough?
I will need to use a cab in Paris and for quick transportation between Sinsheim and Speyer, not to mention transportation to Munich Airport. I will also be purchasing Calvados in Normandy and I have heard that a good place to buy it, is at a Saturday Market in Bayeux where I wouldn't want to be using a credit card. 5-6 bottles of vintage Calvados could quickly eat up 200+ euro.

I'm not sure what to expect for the cost of meals, but I'm guessing that tips (I prefer to tip waiter/waitress in cash so I know that they get the money) on 30 to 60 meals could eat up 200 euro.

Thank you for your help and information
Ken

As I said earlier, you have posted on the forum about the Netherlands so the answers are about the Netherlands. Europe isn’t one size fits all, there definitely are cultural differences even between neighboring countries. So I again suggest you to post this question about all the countries you plan to visit.

That said, I can speak for the Netherlands, where I live, and Belgium which I frequently visit. I literally can’t remember the last time I paid cash for anything. Literally can’t remember. I use my debit card for everything from groceries to restaurants to flowers in the markets to cafes. Every purchase, large or small is done by debit card.

Not sure anyone has commented on this aspect of getting Euros. But, personally, we like to have some Euros in hand when we land. That eliminates locating an ATM, waiting to use it, and hoping it works. They have been known to malfunction.

You should be able to get a couple of hundred Euros from you local bank. It will cost you a little bit, but the price is worth it, in my opinion, for the peace of mind.

Regardless, check with you bank and credit card people to see if a travel advisory needs to be noted on the accounts. Some do, and some don't. You don't want them to see a foreign transaction, think it's fraud, and lock down the account.

Do you really feel that 200 euro for 1 month, spread out over 4 countries would be enough?

It may be, but my point is, you really do not need to be carrying around 1000-2000 euro. To do so would be setting you up for a post after the trip telling us how you were pickpocketed or it disappeared out of your hotel room. Get a couple hundred, use your cards as much as possible, if you get down to 50 euro, take another couple hundred euro out. For many of the things you mention, taxis, transportation, meals, all can be done with card. Tipping is scarce in most of the countries you will be in, meaning no need to tip, the exception is maybe Germany, you may run into a few restaurants that prefer cash, but will take card, Germany also likes a bit of a tip, but only 5-10% max, and only if they have been exceptional, but it is not harshly expected.

Do not worry about paying a few euro in fees to get a couple hundred euro at a time, it is well worth mitigating the risk of carrying large amounts.

I prefer Geldmaat because they are owned by the banks and are honest about their fees. Please see the link in my earlier post for the calculation of the fees by Geldmaat.
“Do they have a limit of how many Euro I can get per transaction?”
ATM’s have a technical limit of 40 bills per transaction. The highest bill is usually €50. So the technical limit is €2000. It’s very likely though that your bank has set a much lower limit per transaction.

Sorry, somehow I missed this post this morning and I just got home after helping my friend with last minute trip preparations that should have been completed weeks ago.

Thank you for this information, I will look for Geldmaat and it looks like the ATM limit will work fine for me.
If I cannot find Geldmaat at the airport, I am guessing that I could find one at or near Amsterdam Centraal.

Thanks again, you have been a great help.
Ken

As I said earlier, you have posted on the forum about the Netherlands so the answers are about the Netherlands. Europe isn’t one size fits all, there definitely are cultural differences even between neighboring countries. So I again suggest you to post this question about all the countries you plan to visit.
That said, I can speak for the Netherlands, where I live, and Belgium which I frequently visit. I literally can’t remember the last time I paid cash for anything. Literally can’t remember. I use my debit card for everything from groceries to restaurants to flowers in the markets to cafes. Every purchase, large or small is done by debit card.

I fully understand and the information that everyone has given me has been great and even though much of the information I have received has gone beyond my question about a Fee Free ATM at the Airport, all of the information I have received has helped.

I didn't know what I didn't know and I thank everyone for the extra information
Ken.

Not sure anyone has commented on this aspect of getting Euros. But, personally, we like to have some Euros in hand when we land. That eliminates locating an ATM, waiting to use it, and hoping it works. They have been known to malfunction.
You should be able to get a couple of hundred Euros from you local bank. It will cost you a little bit, but the price is worth it, in my opinion, for the peace of mind.
Regardless, check with you bank and credit card people to see if a travel advisory needs to be noted on the accounts. Some do, and some don't. You don't want them to see a foreign transaction, think it's fraud, and lock down the account.

Thank you for your help and information.
Unfortunately I won't have very much time to order the euros and receive the euros from the bank, but luckily my friend did get more than enough to loan me some if needed.

I did my Travel Advisory over a month ago and added one more location 4 hours ago because of a layover change.
We had to scramble this morning to take care of things like this that should have been completed weeks or months ago, because my friend is a big time procrastinator.

Thanks again
Ken

It may be, but my point is, you really do not need to be carrying around 1000-2000 euro. To do so would be setting you up for a post after the trip telling us how you were pickpocketed or it disappeared out of your hotel room. Get a couple hundred, use your cards as much as possible, if you get down to 50 euro, take another couple hundred euro out. For many of the things you mention, taxis, transportation, meals, all can be done with card. Tipping is scarce in most of the countries you will be in, meaning no need to tip, the exception is maybe Germany, you may run into a few restaurants that prefer cash, but will take card, Germany also likes a bit of a tip, but only 5-10% max, and only if they have been exceptional, but it is not harshly expected.
Do not worry about paying a few euro in fees to get a couple hundred euro at a time, it is well worth mitigating the risk of carrying large amounts.

Thank you Paul, I understand what you are saying about being pickpocketed and the risks involved.

I do take a lot of precaution against pickpocketing, but I am most concerned and post vulnerable to pickpocketing (or worse) at or near the ATM, especially if my only choice for an ATM is in a very public location, which does not allow me to access the most secure pickpocket prevention.

In a very public location I would be much more inclined to get a smaller amount, but if I have access to a less public/more secure location, I would be more inclined to get a larger amount and put most of it in the most secure locations and put amount needed for the day in an easier accessed, less secure location.

The more times I need to use an ATM, the more times people see that I am getting money and the more times I place myself in a vulnerable position. If possible, I personally would prefer only using an ATM 1, 2 maybe 3 times in a month vs 5, 10 maybe 15 times.

I do thank you and I believe that there is great merit in what you are saying. I will need to make ATM withdrawals on a case by case basis. Less secure/more public locations will mean more withdrawals of smaller amounts, but if I have an opportunity to make a withdrawal in a less public/more secure location, I will go for the larger amount.
At this point, I will need to see my options for ATMs before I can make a rational decision which way to go.

I once again would like to thank you for your help and information.
Ken

I just returned from the Netherlands and Belgium. I withdrew 300 euros. I have returned with 250 euros. I have never been to European countries that preferred credit cards so much. The public toilets even wanted a credit card for the .60 fee. A church I visited , where the entrance was 4 euros, would only take credit cards. When the dinner bill came, the credit card machine didn't have a line for tip, if we wanted to tip, we had to ask them to add euros to the bill. We bought diet cokes at the convenience stores at the train stations, and check out was self service, credit cards only.
In many cases, it seemed that giving change was a hassle, and credit cards were just easier for the merchants.
I did use cash as the Saturday market.
Hope this helps, have a great trip,

Just a note to not confuse anyone reading the above post by Pat. When she writes “credit card only” it should be read as “cards only”.
The most recent figures show that in the Netherlands 80% of all payment transactions are done by debit card, 19.5% is cash and only 0.5% is credit cards.
The preferred method of payment in the Netherlands by far is the debit card. There are still lots of places in the Netherlands that do accept both cash and debit cards, but who don’t accept credit cards. Think of smaller independent shops, cafes etc. for who the credit card fees are too high.
I’m only writing this so that those that only rely on credit cards don’t get the wrong idea and think they’re accepted everywhere.

Thank you Pat and Dutch_Traveler and everyone else for your help and advice, it is greatly appreciated.
It doesn't sound like I will be needing much cash in Amsterdam.

What form of payment is used for inner Amsterdam transportation?
Do you hop on a bus and pay with a credit card, debit card, euro coin or do you buy a trip or day pass at the bus stop?

Thanks again for your help
Ken

“Thank you Pat and Dutch_Traveler and everyone else for your help and advice, it is greatly appreciated.
It doesn't sound like I will be needing much cash in Amsterdam“

You’re welcome, glad to be of help. You indeed won’t be needing much cash. Like I said, I literally can’t remember the last time I paid cash for anything. That’s not an exaggeration, I literally can’t remember. I do have a vague memory of the last time I used my actual debit card to make a payment, that must have been about a month ago. Every other payment, large or small amounts, is simply and easily done by Apple Pay on my IPhone or Apple Watch.

“What form of payment is used for inner Amsterdam transportation?
Do you hop on a bus and pay with a credit card, debit card, euro coin or do you buy a trip or day pass at the bus stop?”
You simply tap your credit card at the reader in the bus or tram. And you tap out again when you exit the tram or bus. This system is called OVPay. OV stands for Openbaar Vervoer which means Public Transport. OVPay can be used in the entire country. See their website for all details https://www.ovpay.nl/en

Dutch traveler,
thanks for the clarification, and all your helpful info regarding my recent trip. I'm still unsure if those of us without Dutch bank accounts can pay by debit card?