ATMs in Spain: locations, fees, and tips (2024 guide)

If you’re visiting Spain from the UK soon for a holiday, you might need cash to spend while you’re there. Getting your euros from ATMs once you arrive is a popular choice. It’s convenient and means you can get the money you need, when you need it.

But before you rush to the nearest Spanish ATM, read this handy guide. Below, we’ll take a look at fees, exchange rates, withdrawal limits and more for cash machines in sunny Spain.

And, if you want to avoid exchange rate markups and sneaky transaction fees while spending in Spain and 150+ countries, then check out the Wise card. Your transactions abroad are automatically converted into British pounds using the fair mid-market exchange rate.

Where do I find ATMs in Spain?

You won’t have any difficulty finding an ATM in towns and cities in Spain. They’re usually located in airports, on high streets and in shopping centres, as well as outside bank branches.

It’s only really if you go off the beaten track into rural areas, that you’ll find it becomes trickier to locate an ATM. If you’re planning on spending time in a more isolated area, then it’s worth carrying extra cash just in case.

To find a convenient ATM, use these ATM locators for local and global banks in Spain:

• Santander ATM locator
• BBVA ATM locator
• CaixaBank ATM locator
• Banco de Sabadell ATM locator.

What are ATMs called in Spain?

ATMs are called cajero automático or simply cajero in Spain. You can also find them by the name of caixer in Catalan. However, in most tourist locations, you can also find them by the ATM sign.

Will my credit or debit card work in Spanish ATMs?

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted card networks in Spain.

This is great for British travellers, as these are the most commonly issued cards in the UK.

Amex cards are also accepted, and can be used in ATMs run by several local banks.

Find a handy ATM to suit your needs using one of the following locators:

• MasterCard’s ATM locator
• Visa’s ATM locator
• American Express ATM locator

You can also check if a Spanish ATM is compatible with your card by checking whether your card network’s logo is on the machine.

Spain ATM PINs

Bank cards issued in Spain - like most other countries in Europe - have 4 digit PINs.¹ That means that longer 5 or 6 digit PINs issued elsewhere in the world don’t usually work in Spanish ATMs.

If you have a chip and PIN card with a 4 digit PIN, like those issued elsewhere in Europe, the UK or Australia, you shouldn’t have any problem.

Most ATMs, shops and merchants use Chip & PIN, but some may still use the older swipe system. This is where the magnetic card on the back of your card is swiped at the checkout. Most cards issued today have both, but it’s worth checking yours.

Spain ATM max cash withdrawal limits

If you have a maximum daily cash withdrawal limit set up on your UK bank card for local use, then it’ll apply when you travel too. These limits are set automatically by your UK bank or card issuer.

However, if you don’t have a daily limit, then the limits imposed by the ATM will apply. You can expect to find that withdrawals in Spain are capped at around €300 to €1,000 EUR¹ (approx. £168 to £844 GBP), although different banks can set their limits as they wish.

It might also be possible to take out cash in several separate transactions from the same ATM. Although bear in mind that you might then pay more in fees.

Let your bank know before you travel

These days, it’s not usually necessary to inform your bank that you’ll be using your debit card abroad.

But while it isn’t mandatory, you might want to do it anyway. There’s the smallest risk that your transactions in Spain could mistakenly be flagged as fraud by your UK bank, which could even lead to your card being blocked.

Find an international travel card

It could even be worth getting an alternative spending card, one that is specially designed for international travel.

The Wise card is the ideal travel companion, as it works in 150+ countries and lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) from overseas ATMs without any fees*.

Of course, you’ll still need to check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fees.

Choose to withdraw in the local currency and your Wise card will do the currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small conversion fee*.

This way, you can avoid expensive mark-ups eating into your spending money!

Your Wise card awaits 💳

What are the ATM fees in Spain?

The chances are that if you’re using a foreign debit or credit card in Spain, you’ll have to pay a fee to use the ATMs there. Even local account holders are often charged to use an ATM that’s not run by their own bank.

But there may be other costs to factor in too, including the exchange rate and any fees charged by your UK bank.

We’ll look at these in more detail below.

Exchange rate fees at ATMs in Spain (DCC)

When you use an ATM abroad, you’ll usually see a screen asking if you want the transaction to be carried out in British pounds (GBP) or the local currency. In this case, it’ll be euros (EUR).

While it may seem logical to choose GBP, this would be a mistake. You should always choose to withdraw in the local currency (EUR) without conversion. Decline the conversion, and it’ll be carried out by your bank or card provider instead. They’ll give you a better rate.

Otherwise, the ATM will apply its own exchange rate using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).

These rates are nearly always poor, meaning that the withdrawal costs you more - and you’ll have less spending money for your trip.

So the bottom line is - always press ‘no’ when asked about currency conversion at an overseas ATM.

Home bank ATM fees

Some UK banks charge fees for foreign transactions, which includes cash withdrawals. So always check before you travel, either by contacting your bank or reading the terms and conditions for your account.

Spain bank ATM fees

Many ATMs in Spain have fees, although it may be possible to find a free ATM. Generally, fees are pretty cheap at around €0.50 to €0.80 EUR per transaction (approx. £0.42 to £0.68 GBP).²

But some cash machines have fees as high as €6 EUR (approx £5.07 GBP).²

Can I get free cash withdrawals in Spain?

It may be possible to find a fee-free ATM in Spain, but you might need to try a few. It’s best to focus on ATMs operated by major banks, as privately owned cash machines are likely to charge fees.

There are a few other ways you can get free cash withdrawals in Spain. If you’re a Santander customer, you can use one of the Spanish-owned bank’s ATMs in Spain for free.³

You might also want to check whether your UK bank has a partnership with any banks in Spain. If so, you may be able to withdraw cash for free (or for lower fees) at these ATMs.

Tips for avoiding ATM fees in Spain

Always choose to be charged in the local currency

Some ATMs may offer you a ‘service’ of being charged in your local currency (i.e. GBP). It’s always best to decline this option, choosing instead to be charged in EUR.

This helps you avoid hidden ATM rip-offs by giving you the best possible exchange rate.

Check the latest GBP - EUR conversion rate below:

Avoid airport ATMs

ATMs at airports tend to be very expensive, charging high fees for withdrawing money or converting currency. So even though they may be convenient, they’re best avoided unless you have no other option.

Check whether your home bank has partner banks in Spain

If your UK bank has an overseas ATM network or partners with banks in Spain, you may be able to benefit from low or no fees on ATM withdrawals. It’s always worth finding out before you travel.

Choose the right fee-free card

Some UK banks don’t charge fees for spending and withdrawing cash overseas. If yours does have these fees, it could be worth switching banks and getting a fee-free card.

And this is really important - unless it’s unavoidable, you should never use a credit card to make ATM withdrawals, either at home or abroad.

Withdrawing cash with a credit card is usually a lot more expensive than using a debit card. This is because nearly all credit cards charge fees for cash transactions. There’s also the drawback that interest will likely start accruing right away, so you won’t benefit from your usual interest-free period.

Spend and withdraw worldwide with the Wise card

If you travel regularly, the Wise card is the perfect way to spend and withdraw cash worldwide.

It’s a dedicated travel card, letting you spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange ratewhenever you spend for only a small, transparent fee*.

And when you need cash, you can use it to withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) fee-free*.

You’ll just need to check whether the ATM operator charges its own fees.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Wise only ever charges small, transparent fees for currency conversion, and it’s fee-free if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Sign up for a Wise account online and you can get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7.

Open a Wise account 🌍

ATMs in Spain FAQs

Can I use my UK debit card in Spain?

Yes, UK-issued Visa and Mastercard debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, including at ATMs.

What is the best way to withdraw money in Spain?

Look for a fee-free ATM, or check whether your bank has a partner bank in Spain as it may offer low or no fee withdrawals. And for the best exchange rate, press ‘no’ when asked if you want the transaction to be converted to GBP for you.

Do ATMs in Spain charge fees?

Many ATMs in Spain charge fees, although they tend to be quite low (depending on the ATM operator).

Which is the best ATM to use in Spain?

All ATMs in Spain should offer multiple languages including English, but most do also charge fees. Look for the lowest fee option you can, avoiding privately operated ATMs (those not owned by a bank) as these are likely to be the most expensive.

Are Santander ATMs free in Spain?

Santander ATMs are free to use in Spain, but only if you’re an existing customer with a Santander account in Spain, the UK or another country where the bank operates.

Is it better to use cash or card in Spain?

Cards are widely accepted in Spain, especially in big cities and tourist areas, although there are some shops, restaurants and bars where cash is preferred. You may also find that cards aren’t so commonly used in more rural or remote parts of the country.

So, it could be best to take a mix of cash and card to Spain for your trip.

Can I use my Wise card in Spain?

Yes, the Wise card works in 150+ countries worldwide, including Spain so you can spend like a local for only a small, transparent fee*.

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Sources used:

1. ATM Fee Saver - Cash and ATMs in Spain: All you need about cash, cards, ATMs, fees, and currency exchange
2. Monito - A Guide to ATMs in Spain in 2024: Fees, Locations, Avoiding Credit Cards, and Alternatives
3. Santander - Travelling

Sources last checked on date: 08-July-2024