Using ATM's

A European ATM will never charge you a fee. It's not like in the US when you use an out-of-network ATM. Any fee will be charged by your own credit union. I have two credit union cards (different credit unions). One of them charges a 1% conversion fee, and the other charges absolutely nothing.

which one charges you nothing - mine does charge a 1%

It's a small, local credit union, only open to those who live or work in this county.

Let me state this very clearly - especially since it is missed all the time. ALL FEES CHARGED are solely determined by your card issuer. So CALL THEM and ASK THEM !!!! It is true that many credit union and some smaller, local banks do not add fees to their debit card withdraw. My credit union does not add a conversion fee and only charges $1 per transaction but the first six transactions each month are free. Since I generally take our 500E per transaction, rarely go pass six transactions.

Now I'm confused. What does Nancy mean when she says, "A European ATM will never charge you a fee."??? I clearly see a "ATM Use Fee" added to the converted withdrawal amount on my bank statements. Usually it's around $3, but one time in Rovijn, Croatia (not in the west, I know) it was around $12!! And when Frank says, "I generally take our 500E per transaction," I'm wondering, since when can you take out that much, and an exact amount in Euros? My banks limit withdrawals to $500 a day, which has typically been averaging between 360 and 380-ish euros of late.

Nothing confusing about any of the statements. Because a European ATM does NOT charge a fee for using the ATM. What part of does not charge is hard to understand? In fact, I think there are some regulations that prohibit at least for western Europe. Don't know about Croatia. There could be a fee for the usage in Croatia or Russia or somewhere else. That $3 ATM transaction fee is being added by YOUR card issuer - not the European ATM.........The reason I can take out 500E at a time is because my credit union or my bank (US Bank) allows me to. It is easy, punch in 500 out comes 500E. If you cannot get that amount it is because YOUR card issuer, probably the bank, is controlling it. Transaction fees and currency conversion fees are added by the card issuer. The card issuer SETS all the rules,regulations, and fees for the usage of the card. If you don't like the fees change cards. The exception is that sometimes an ATM will limited the amount of withdraw per usage. Commonly found in Italy, in heavy tourist area, on the weekends and that limit is often 250 to 300E. Then you just have to do it twice.

Bill, the fee you saw added was charged by YOUR bank or card issuer, not the European ATM. Some charge a per-transaction fee as well as a conversion fee on withdrawals. I'm constantly amazed at people who blindly pay whatever their bank charges, maybe even complaining about it, but never looking around for a better deal. They are out there if you look.

I have three (yes, three- it's a way to keep my budgeting easier) credit union checking accounts. Of the three, one charges 0% conversion, on charges 1%, and one charges 2%. These are all local credit unions, open to WA residents (or one is open to employees of my company, as well.) Check credit unions in your area or through your union/employer.

I have found the limits to be more strict than Frank suggests. In both Italy and Austria I have encountered ATMs with limits of €250-300/ withdrawl and only one withdrawl/24 hours. One more reason to carry cards on more than 1 account.

"[...] Because a European ATM does NOT charge a fee for using the ATM. What part of does not charge is hard to understand? In fact, I think there are some regulations that prohibit at least for western Europe. [...]" ...line.break... That would be so nice if it were true. The fact is that European ATMs charge the card issuing institution. How much of that fee is soaked up by the card issuing bank and how much of it they charge their customers is entirely a matter of the contract between the card issuing bank and the card using customer. ...line.break... For instance here in Germany the ATM fees are steadily rising as a reaction of the (ATM providing) brick and mortar banks to the competing (and brick and mortar operated ATM dependent) online only banks.

Credit unions offer the BEST rates. Conversion fees at many of them are waived. You have to shop around.

Good point about fees on your statement based on what your financial institution charges..........One big point to add. Credit Unions don't necessarily have great rates and fees. Many have become big with fee structures that resemble banks. Always ask what the charges are and find it in their deposit agreement rather than taking someone's word for it. All financial institutions must disclose their fees - so it's written down somewhere. Shop around for a financial institution with decent (not necessarily free) charges............Finally, but very important, many small credit unions don't issue Debit Cards (or have a different fee schedule for them). I've had accounts at two credit unions that only sent me an ATM card, good only at the, usually limited number of, syndicates they subscribe to. You may end up in Europe searching high and low for a place that will "take" your card.........Get a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo on it. It will work in virtually any ATM in Europe (and the US)........To sum up, get a debit card and know the fees charged by your financial institution. If the charges are outrageous, shop around.