ATM use

I have always used 4. I do not know if 6 is accepted but I can say with certainty that 4 digit pins are widely accepted. As far as I’m aware US PIN numbers default to 4 digit, and this seems to be the norm in Europe as well.

I have two debit cards, from two different banks, one has a 4 digit PIN, the other 6. I have never had a problem with either in any country.

I suspect this 4-digit PIN story is an urban myth. Or it could be something historical, maybe decades ago US cards only worked in Europe with a short PIN; like the current problem of US cards not being chip-and-PIN.

I used a 6-digit PIN several years ago in France, before I even knew there could be an issue. From what I can remember it always (or at least usually) worked. I now have a 4-digit PIN with a different bank.

When I got a Bank of America ATM a few months ago, it recommended a 4-digit PIN, stating some people had problems with 6-digit PINs at some ATMs in Europe. When it arrived it had a 6-digit PIN and I had to change it to a 4-digits.

I have never been given an option for anything more than a 4-digit PIN. And I have had accounts at too many different banks to remember.

Everywhere I have been 'round the world the 4-digit PIN worked without issue.

Like Chris above... I also have 4-pin and 6-pin ccards so it depends on the bank. However, this shouldn't affect you because when you insert your card, it "tells" the ATM how long your ccard PIN is, therefore, the ATM will expect the person to enter the same PIN, regardless of its length.

Note that in 2016 I encountered several bank-owned ATMs in Barcelona that charged fees. Some persistence was required to find non-fee ATMs, but they did exist (try Santander Bank). I wouldn't be surprised if the same situation now exists in some other places.

"So, a tip is before you leave your hometown is to ask your home bank which Spanish banks they recommend you use, if any, and for a list of charges."

I just looked on Cap One 360 (my debit card bank) and it shows zero in Spain and Italy.

I saw this tip (it's 2 years old) on another forum. What do you all think of going INSIDE the bank with your debit card?"

"#1 trick that few people write about. Take your Visa or MasterCard debit card inside the bank and ask for a cash advance. Sure this takes more time, but you'll be subject to the higher purchase limit of your debit card instead of the ATM cash limit. Plus you'll avoid multiple ATM surcharge fees if you do one large transaction and you could specify the denomination you want.

Banks like Chase know this is a way around the ATM fees, so don't do this with a Chase checking account (they'll charge 3% or $5 which ever is higher) in addition to the 3% foreign transaction fee. Citi and Suntrust don't allow this with their debit cards, apparently. Also go to a real bank or credit union branch. Do NOT do this a Travelex type bureau de change kiosk as they will charge an obnoxious fee. In my multi-decade experience doing this, I've never been charged at the counter, but it's possible you may find a bank that does this.

For banks that have no foreign transaction fees, but don't reimburse ATM surcharges such as Capital One 360, this can be another option."

You are not looking for YOUR bank in Europe, just a bank that your bank has an agreement with to waive fees. The only one in the US I know of that does this is Bank of America (don't know what those partner banks are because I don't bank with BofA). Some US banks like Citi do have branches in Europe, but this is also rare and mainly in the larger cities only. Since Capital One 360 doesn't charge any fees anyway, it only matters what ATM you use if that ATM itself charges any fees.

While the comments about going inside the bank to do a "cash advance" on your debit card sound fine, most banks have caught onto that as well and charge even higher fees to get money that way than simply using the ATM. The fees are charged by the card issuer, not the bank you are getting the money at.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Mark. Especially that last part, don't think I'll bother going inside...