Withdrawing cash abroad: best cards + smart tips
Many travelers waste €40-€80 per trip on hidden ATM and currency exchange fees. These tips save you that money.
The 3 fees to watch out for
Foreign-ATM fee (€3-€5 per withdrawal), currency exchange margin (1.5-3%), local ATM operator fee (€2-€5). Combined: €10-€15 per €100 withdrawn.
Best cards (2026)
Bunq Easy Travel: free worldwide ATM withdrawals at real exchange rate. Revolut Standard: 5 free withdrawals/month. Wise debit: real rate + 1.5% above €200/month.
Always pay in local currency
Many terminals offer 'dynamic currency conversion' (pay in euros). Decline this - their rate is 7-12% worse than your bank's rate.
Withdraw bigger amounts less often
One €400 withdrawal costs €3-€5 fee = 0.8-1.25%. Two €200 withdrawals cost €6-€10 = 1.5-2.5%. Withdraw the trip-week amount at once.
Skip airport ATMs
Airport ATMs charge 2-3% worse rates + €5+ operator fee. Walk into the city and use a regular bank's ATM.
Use credit card for big purchases
Many credit cards (Mastercard Gold, Visa Premium) have no foreign transaction fees on purchases. Better than cash for hotels and large dinners.
Bring some cash in advance
€100 in local currency for arrival (taxi, first dinner). Order it at GWK Travelex 5 days before departure (avoid airport exchange offices).
Inform your bank
Tell your bank where you're going. Otherwise the card gets blocked at the first foreign transaction. Most banks let you set 'travel mode' in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Which bank card is best for withdrawing cash abroad?
Bunq Easy Travel offers free worldwide cash withdrawals at the real exchange rate. Revolut Standard gives 5 free withdrawals per month. Wise debit charges the real rate with 1.5 percent above 200 euro per month. Traditional banks such as ABN and ING charge higher fees.
Why should I refuse Dynamic Currency Conversion?
Dynamic Currency Conversion (paying in euros abroad) uses an exchange rate that is 7 to 12 percent worse than your own bank. Always choose the local currency at the payment terminal or ATM.
When is it smart to withdraw larger amounts?
A withdrawal of 400 euro costs 3 to 5 euro in fees (0.8 to 1.25 percent). Two withdrawals of 200 euro cost double the fees. Ideally withdraw enough for the whole week in one go.
Are ATMs at airports more expensive?
Yes. Airport ATMs typically have 2 to 3 percent worse exchange rates plus 5 euro or more in operator fees. Use an ATM at a regular bank in town instead.
Updated 24 July 2026.