ATM withdrawal

CillaP · Sep 9, 2022

Is there a limit on the amount of Euros that can be withdrawn in a single transaction, from an ATM machine in France and Spain?

trecile · Sep 9, 2022

CillaP said:
Is there a limit on the amount of Euros that can be withdrawn in a single transaction, from an ATM machine in France and Spain?

Yes, and it can be different amounts depending on both your bank and the bank that the ATM belongs to.

Robo · Sep 9, 2022

Might be about Euro 300?

Banking in Spain

This guide covers the main topics, including services and cards.

www.expatica.com

Pafayac · Sep 9, 2022

Robo said:
Might be about Euro 300?

It is generally per week, and it mainly depends on your card level:
"In general, the maximum withdrawal at an ATM oscillates between 500 and 1,500 euros / week. However, some bank cards (notably Platinum, Visa Infinite or Mastercard Elite) allow you to exceed this limit and withdraw more than 2,000 euros (and up to 4,000 euros) per week."

Kitsambler · Sep 9, 2022

I'm in the US and use Schwab as my bank. The daily withdrawal limit is set by me, in conversation with the bank. I usually set my limit at 500Eur, because it might be a week between ATM hits when walking rural Europe. If I'll be in the larger towns and cities every day, then 300Eur/day is quite enough -- it still might be several days between ATM hits. (You don't want to worry every day about cash on hand.)

Vince Rollason · Sep 9, 2022

CillaP said:
Is there a limit on the amount of Euros that can be withdrawn in a single transaction, from an ATM machine in France and Spain?

Hi Cilla
I was there in May/June this year and the limit was 300 euros a day. hope this helps.
Buen Camino
Vince

Robert Long · Sep 9, 2022

Be careful when using ATMs. Only use an ATM if it is in the wall of a bank. Do not use freestanding ATMs. and then only use the ATM during business hours. 6 years ago in Astorga I did not follow my advice. At 8PM I tried to draw funds only to see the screen turn red (before I touched any buttons) and then close down. Fortunately we did not have an early morning planned for the next day. But it took 90 minutes of negotiation to get my card out of the machine.

Former member 102963 · Sep 9, 2022

Robert Long said:
Be careful when using ATMs. Only use an ATM if it is in the wall of a bank. Do not use freestanding ATMs. and then only use the ATM during business hours. 6 years ago in Astorga I did not follow my advice. At 8PM I tried to draw funds only to see the screen turn red (before I touched any buttons) and then close down. Fortunately we did not have an early morning planned for the next day. But it took 90 minutes of negotiation to get my card out of the machine.

The ‘only use ATM during business hours’ is a new one on me I must admit! Local business hours or the business hours of your bank?

C clearly · Sep 9, 2022

TravellingMan2022 said:
Local business hours or the business hours of your bank?

Local - so you can talk to the owners of the machine about getting your card back.

Former member 102963 · Sep 9, 2022

C clearly said:
Local - so you can talk to the owners of the machine about getting your card back.

Thank you! Sorry I was misunderstanding. I thought it meant that ATMs do work outside business hours!

C clearly · Sep 9, 2022

TravellingMan2022 said:
Thank you! Sorry I was misunderstanding. I thought it meant that ATMs do work outside business hours!

Now I don't understand. ATMs do work outside business hours. That's not so bad if you have time the next day to deal with it, but maybe not if the bank is closed for a long weekend.

Former member 102963 · Sep 9, 2022

C clearly said:
Now I don't understand. ATMs do work outside business hours. That's not so bad if you have time the next day to deal with it, but maybe not if the bank is closed for a long weekend.

Yes I know they do! I thought the poster was suggesting they didn’t! I misunderstood!

Ah just seen my typo !!!

Robert Long · Sep 9, 2022

I'm sorry to have confused the issue. Yes, ATMs work 24 hours a day except when updating. But my advice is to only use them during banking hours just in case something goes wrong. If the bank is open then there is someone to speak with.

Buen Camino

Former member 102963 · Sep 9, 2022

Robert Long said:
I'm sorry to have confused the issue. Yes, ATMs work 24 hours a day except when updating. But my advice is to only use them during banking hours just in case something goes wrong. If the bank is open then there is someone to speak with.

Buen Camino

Not at all. It was my misunderstanding and subsequent typo that confused folks! Good advice from your good self!

Camino Chrissy · Sep 9, 2022

Robo said:
Might be about Euro 300?

Banking in Spain

This guide covers the main topics, including services and cards.

www.expatica.com

Yep, 300 always worked for me in Spain, but when I tried 400 (like works at home) it wouldn't allow it.
After a few glitches, I quickly learned to only use the machines outside the banks themselves and only during banking hours.

Ajrk · Sep 10, 2022

CillaP said:
Is there a limit on the amount of Euros that can be withdrawn in a single transaction, from an ATM machine in France and Spain?

Most places in Spain ( even in rural areas ) you can just Tap and go so less cash needed along the way

JerryStroebele · Sep 10, 2022

Yes, the worry of the ATM eating/keeping your card in Spain is over. Just use a telebanco with the Tap function. Most seemed to have it this Spring. If you need more than 300 euros at a time, what Camino are you walking? Buen Camino

Robo · Sep 10, 2022

JerryStroebele said:
Yes, the worry of the ATM eating/keeping your card in Spain is over. Just use a telebanco with the Tap function. Most seemed to have it this Spring. If you need more than 300 euros at a time, what Camino are you walking? Buen Camino

Do you have a link for the App? Don't see it on the PlayStore

Molly Cassidy · Sep 10, 2022

Robo said:
Do you have a link for the App? Don't see it on the PlayStore

It's not an app. You just use the contactless function of your card at the ATM, so you don't need to actually physically put the card into the machine. Other than that it is a normal ATM withdrawal.

hawkeyepierce · Sep 10, 2022

My experience with my Schwab debit card is that it never works with contactless ATMs. YMMV.

Molly Cassidy · Sep 10, 2022

hawkeyepierce said:
My experience with my Schwab debit card is that it never works with contactless ATMs. YMMV.

Also my experience in Greece that it doesn't work!

I've never tried to use it but sometimes when I put my card in it is detected by the contactless and comes up with an error message.

Susan Peacock · Sep 10, 2022

L

CillaP said:
Is there a limit on the amount of Euros that can be withdrawn in a single transaction, from an ATM machine in France and Spain?

As others have said your bank has your limit (in your currency) and the bank you are withdrawing will have a limit in their currency. Years ago I could get more than 300 euro but it’s seems to be the limit now. They usually charge 5 euro for each withdrawal, so I think possibly lowering the amount translates to more income for the bank. Two things to remember;
1) Your home limit is in your currency not euros. I have seen many a pilgrim think their card wasn’t working because they were trying to get out too much ( at that time euros were more than dollars.)
2. When asked if you want it to be calculated in your currency or euros? Pick euros as your bank will have a preferable exchange rate. This question is often asked in a tricky way…. Like a no means yes. Read it carefully.

Former member 102963 · Sep 15, 2022

Interesting the approach that different countries take for ATM usage and paying by card! Spent 2 months in Spain and the vast majority of banks charge an ATM withdrawal fee for overseas cards and then offer the choice to charge at their rate or ‘your’ rate. Similarly nearly every outlet I used, even small cafes, asked if you wanted to pay in Euros or your home currency.

Have been in Germany last week or so. Used three different banks. No fees and no offering of conversion at their rate at ATMs. Same with all outlets big and small!

martin1ws · Sep 15, 2022

trecile said:
Yes, and it can be different amounts depending on both your bank and the bank that the ATM belongs to.

I forgot to adjust the (weekly) limit of my bank for foreign ATMs before my Camino this year. This almost got me in trouble because it did not work to change the limit from my smartphone in Portugal or Spain.

So next time I want to adjust the limit before my Camino.

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