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there are ATM's everywhere and they work just like at home.I've barely been out of the house for over 2 years, so before I head to the CF, I have a few questions and the threads here may or may not be outdated. My credit union has stopped being a reliable source of information.
Thanks!
- Which Spanish and Portuguese banks with ATMs are on the Cirrus or Plus networks? I've tried finding this online but can't locate up-to-date information.
- Will my US debit card with 4-digit PIN still work in these ATMs as it did in 2019? It's also a chip-and-signature credit card but I want to use it to debit my bank account.
- Is an airport ATM still recommended as the most convenient way to get Euros early in the trip? (I'd buy them at home but my credit union doesn't sell them and the local banks that do require a bank account.)
I was in small-town Portugal last month; used the Multibanco near our home. 4-digit PINs still work and seem to be the norm, though the Portuguese themselves seem to be gradually switching to wireless. Same for supermarkets. Smaller stores seem to be using debit less than previously. I think the service fees are high, for them, for the number of customers that want the service. Cash is still preferred in smaller towns and villages.Thanks, I appreciate it. Since I don't have a brokerage account, Schwab wanted quite a high deposit when I last went in to check.
I'm fine with my current debit card, just want to be sure it will still work and to learn which Spanish and Portuguese banks are on Cirrus or Plus networks.
That's strangeThanks, I appreciate it. Since I don't have a brokerage account, Schwab wanted quite a high deposit when I last went in to check.
I'm fine with my current debit card, just want to be sure it will still work and to learn which Spanish and Portuguese banks are on Cirrus or Plus networks.
hi there. i recently started with schwab and they don't require any money in the brokerage acct and there is no minimum for the linked checking acctThanks, I appreciate it. Since I don't have a brokerage account, Schwab wanted quite a high deposit when I last went in to check.
I'm fine with my current debit card, just want to be sure it will still work and to learn which Spanish and Portuguese banks are on Cirrus or Plus networks.
That is what I use also. It works everywhere and like you see no fees and refunds.Since you're from the US the best thing that you can do is open a Charles Schwab checking account (free, with no minimums) and get their debit card.
Schwab doesn't charge ATM fees and refunds all ATM fees charged by banks worldwide
I always notify my bank ahead of coming from the UK just in case. I’m in Spain at the moment and debit cards work fine everywhere although I know some US cards are different.I was ahead of ATM's everywhere and put on too many miles trying to find one. Begin with notifying your bank where and when you're traveling. Keep an eye on how much money you have, be prepared. My first Camino Pilgrimage was a learning experience.
This is true, no need to make high deposit as they don't require a minimum. I recently opened one with $50 in the brokerage then transferred $0.01 in the checking to generate the bank card! So now that it works I'll have to add more funds to use whilst in Europe.That's strange
I just opened mine and the initial deposit was $500.00
Granted I beefed it up since as my day is getting closer....but no high deposits were required
Heads-up from the Portuguese caminho:I was ahead of ATM's everywhere and put on too many miles trying to find one. Begin with notifying your bank where and when you're traveling. Keep an eye on how much money you have, be prepared. My first Camino Pilgrimage was a learning experience.
The ones to avoid are called Euronet. As @Friend from Barquinha says, use multibancos in Portugal which are marked MB.Avoid the stand-alone ATMs (not Multibanco) that you see in the airports and big railway stations. Can't remember the name, but they're obviously aimed at international travellers and their colours are royal blue and yellow, I think. They charge higher fees than Multibanco ATMs.
Correct. They seem, in Portugal anyway, to only have appeared in the last 4 or 5 years. Very prominently and conveniently placed in railway stations, airports, and bus stations. MB (Multibanco) ATMs often need to be searched out but there usually will be one somewhere. And in Portugal anyway, "Multibanco" is used as a generic term for ATM. Everyone will understand the term.Euronet is an independent financial operator; their ATMs are stand-alone ATMs, not belonging to a mainstream bank. Their fees are high, I believe. I don't use them.
Actually, there is no minimum required, there are no fees. You simply open the checking account, they establish the brokerage account (which is simply a savings account unless you want to trade) and you fund the brokerage account. Once it is funded, you transfer some funds into the checking account and they issue you the free ATM card. There is never a fee, never a minimum and they reimburse the ATM fees incurred at the end of each month with your statement. I've had the Schwab accounts and ATM card for years. It's a true win-win!Thanks, I appreciate it. Since I don't have a brokerage account, Schwab wanted quite a high deposit when I last went in to check.
I'm fine with my current debit card, just want to be sure it will still work and to learn which Spanish and Portuguese banks are on Cirrus or Plus networks.
hi-you don't have to put any money in the brokerage account it can have a zero balance. you just need to open the brokerage account in order to be eligible to create the separate checking account- also with no minimum balance.Actually, there is no minimum required, there are no fees. You simply open the checking account, they establish the brokerage account (which is simply a savings account unless you want to trade) and you fund the brokerage account. Once it is funded, you transfer some funds into the checking account and they issue you the free ATM card. There is never a fee, never a minimum and they reimburse the ATM fees incurred at the end of each month with your statement. I've had the Schwab accounts and ATM card for years. It's a true win-win!
good info, thanks!hi-you don't have to put any money in the brokerage account it can have a zero balance. you just need to open the brokerage account in order to be eligible to create the separate checking account- also with no minimum balance.
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