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Italian ATMs

Will traditional (non-tap) debit cards work in Italian ATMs?

Posted by
4412 posts

Are there ATMs that use tap? I've never seen such a thing, I'm guessing even if they do they still have a slot and keypad since everyone uses them that way.

Get a Schwab account to avoid any ATM usage fees.

Posted by
2324 posts

"Are there ATMs that use tap"

THERE ARE - I've used 2 tap ATMs in Europe (Gdansk, Poland in 2017 & Bergamo, Italy in 2018), and 1 here at home - all 3 transactions using Apple Pay. The 2 in Europe didn't require a PIN, the 1 here at home did - I liked the idea I didn't have to expose my physical card by inserting the card.

Posted by
11179 posts

I liked the idea I didn't have to expose my physical card.

How/what do you tap if not using a physical card?

Posted by
361 posts

I only take regular ATM cards to Europe, not Debit cards. And yes those work, as least as recenlty as last Oct. I am not speaking to tap or no tap directly, however I do not think a regular AMT has a tap function, so I hope I am answering your question. The reason I don't ever use Debit cards (here or overseas) as they are too dangerous, AMT cards must be used with a PIN code and Debit cards can be used like a credit card except the money comes directly out of your account. ATM cards work a bank machines, grocery stores, gas stations, Home Depot, but not at small places like nail salons. Most banks will give you a Debit card unless you ask for a good old ATM. J

Posted by
2324 posts

ALL 3 Contactless enabled ATMs I used, were bank affiliated machines - in Canada we only have Debit Cards, I have never heard of cards designated as ATM cards only - well, maybe that was an ATM only card I received from my bank back in 1979 or 1980. But, as always, I stand to be corrected.

Further, Contactless Pay DCs and CCs are equal in security when tapped.

Posted by
6788 posts

ATM cards are debit cards. Debit cards are ATM cards. Same thing.

Posted by
2173 posts

I had an ATM-only card from my bank. So it debited my account from an ATM but would not work in stores. Now, the bank has said they're not issuing ATM-only cards anymore and they changed my card to a regular debit card.

Posted by
138 posts

We bank with Wells Fargo. By our choice, we use an ATM card; it only works with a PIN at a ATM machine. It cannot be used at grocery stores, hotels, etc. We used it in Italy last month, but only at ATMs located at a bank. It is a chip ATM card that had to be inserted, it is not a “tap” card. It worked fine. Yes, we had a service charge, but frankly, we quickly discovered we really did not need cash. Everyplace we went (including train station bathrooms), took credit cards. We have a “tap” credit card with no foreign transaction fees and used it everywhere. We also spent 6 days in London and never purchased British pounds.

Posted by
24 posts

Was in Sicily in June. I also bank with Wells Fargo. I rarely used ATMs as you can use contactless for almost every purchase. However, if you do decide to use an ATM, always use one associated with a bank. Most of the ATMs in the airport and elsewhere in Italy (blue and yellow for the most part) are not associated with a bank and charge a fee.

Posted by
40 posts

Just back from RS HOI tour end of June; our Debit MasterCard worked fine with a PIN in Rome, Tuscany, CT & Florence.