Withdrawing cash abroad: best cards + smart tips

Costs per Dutch bank

Do you know what your own bank charges for a foreign ATM withdrawal? For many travellers, the answer comes as a surprise. Below is an indicative overview of the four largest Dutch banks. Always check the current rates on your bank's own website, as they change regularly:

• ABN AMRO (indicative) Typically a fixed fee of €0.50 per withdrawal outside the eurozone plus a currency exchange mark-up of around 2% of the amount withdrawn (minimum €5). Lower rates apply within euro countries.
• ING (indicative) Around €2.10 per withdrawal within the eurozone. Outside the eurozone ING adds a currency risk surcharge on top of the exchange rate. Some ING account packages include free withdrawals in Europe.
• Rabobank (indicative) Around 1% of the withdrawal amount outside the Netherlands, with a minimum of approximately €3 and a maximum of €15 per transaction. Travel mode can be activated via the Rabo Banking App.
• SNS Bank (indicative) Around €2 per withdrawal outside the eurozone, plus a currency mark-up. SNS is part of the Volksbank group, along with ASN Bank and RegioBank, which charge comparable rates.

Bottom line: a traveller withdrawing cash twice a day on a week-long trip to Porto or Lisbon easily pays €20-40 in hidden bank fees with a traditional debit card. For short trips that may be acceptable; for longer trips or multiple trips a year, a fintech card pays for itself quickly.

Fintech alternatives: Wise, Revolut, N26 and Bunq

For travellers who go abroad regularly, digital bank accounts and fintech apps are a popular addition to their regular bank card. They generally offer lower fees and more control via the app:

• Wise (formerly TransferWise) Uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no mark-up. Withdrawals are free up to €200 per month; after that a 1.5% fee applies. Ideal if you also want to send money or pay in multiple currencies.
• Revolut Standard (free) Five free ATM withdrawals per month up to €200 total. After that a 2% fee applies. Revolut adds a small exchange rate mark-up at weekends. Premium plans offer higher free limits.
• N26 Standard (free) No surcharge for withdrawals in euro countries. Outside the eurozone a currency mark-up of 1.7% applies. Useful for frequent European travellers.
• Bunq Easy Travel Free worldwide ATM withdrawals up to a high daily limit, with no hidden exchange rate mark-up. Monthly subscription costs start at around €3 per month, depending on the plan.

Tip: open your fintech account at least two weeks before departure so your card arrives in time. Combine this with booking your flight at the right time to keep total travel costs as low as possible. You can also use our compare tool to find the cheapest destination right now.

Five extra tips for the ATM

• Always choose the local currency Refuse Dynamic Currency Conversion firmly. Always decline "Pay in euros" or "Charge in EUR". Third-party ATMs deliberately show this option first because it is the most expensive choice for you.
• Set a daily withdrawal limit Reduce your daily ATM limit in your bank's app to a realistic amount, e.g. €400-500. This limits the damage from theft or skimming without ruining your holiday.
• Always carry a second card Keep your backup card separate from your main wallet. A Revolut or Wise app on your phone also works as an emergency fallback if your physical card is lost or blocked.
• Use ATMs at major local banks Avoid standalone ATM operators recognisable by names like "Euronet" or "Cardtronics". ATMs at regular local banks, such as Caixa in Portugal or Santander in Spain, almost never charge an additional operator fee.
• Withdraw a little extra on Fridays In many countries banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays, and ATMs can run dry at busy events. Withdraw a small buffer on Friday or Saturday. Also read our visa-free travel guide and hand luggage tips for a complete trip preparation.