Using your Metro Bank card abroad
Discover how to use your Metro Bank debit card overseas. Our guide covers foreign transaction fees, exchange rates, and tips for holiday spending.
If you’re on holiday outside the UK and need cash, you’re likely to head for an ATM. One of the operators you’re likely to come across is Euronet, as it has ATMs in 38 countries worldwide - including much of Europe.1
But is a Euronet ATM a good choice? Read on for info on Euronet ATM locations, fees and other tips to help you get the most from your travel money.
You’ll also need the right card to withdraw cash. Get a Wise card and you can withdraw up to £200 a month from overseas ATMs for no Wise fees (just check that the ATM doesn’t have its own fees). You can also spend like a local in 150+ countries, at great exchange rates and for low fees*.
Euronet ATMs do tend to charge a fee for cash withdrawals, although it varies depending on the location.
In many cases, you can expect a fee of around €4 EUR or the currency equivalent. But in some destinations such as Greece, Euronet says it is rolling out a growing network of fee-free ATMs.2
If there is a fee, it’ll usually be displayed on the ATM screen just before you confirm the transaction.
Another crucial thing to know about when using Euronet ATMs is currency conversion.
If you say yes when asked whether you want to withdrawal amount converted to your home currency (i.e. GBP), the ATM will choose the exchange rate. It does this using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
This rate will nearly always be unfavourable (meaning you’ll get less currency for your pounds) no matter which ATM you use. But with Euronet, the mark-up on the mid-market exchange rate can be as much as 13%.2 This is profit for Euronet, but you’ll lose out. This means less spending money for your trip or holiday.
So the golden rule is - always choose to withdraw cash in the local currency in your destination.
📚 Read: Avoiding bad exchange rates
The maximum amount you can withdraw from a Euronet ATM will depend on your bank. The operator doesn’t set its own limits for cash withdrawals.
Most UK banks set withdrawal limits for how much you can withdraw a day, week or month (or in a single transaction). Crucially, many banks have separate limits for spending and withdrawing cash overseas.
To find out your limits, check the terms and conditions for your account or card - or contact your bank.
Euronet ATMs accept the following cards:3
Euronet does have some cash deposit ATMs, where you can pay money into your account. You’ll need to take a look on the Euronet website or contact the company directly to find out about locations.
However, you might find that you won’t be able to use this service unless you have a local bank account in the country.
Now, where can you find Euronet ATMs? They’re available in the following locations:
Unfortunately, Euronet doesn’t seem to have an ATM locator tool where you can search for your nearest one. So you may simply have to use Google Maps or just look out for one during your holiday.
Withdrawing and carrying around cash in an unfamiliar environment will always be a worry. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself and your money. Here are some useful tips to remember when using an ATM abroad:
Using overseas ATMs can sometimes result in surprise fees, which can make a dent in your holiday money. But with a few tips and tricks, you can hopefully avoid these fees altogether. Here are a few things to remember for your next trip:
You might also want to get a card that’s designed with travel in mind.
For example, the Wise card lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) in 150+ countries worldwide for no fee*.
Just make sure the ATM doesn’t charge its own fee.
Better still, opt to withdraw in the local currency and Wise will do the conversion at the mid-market exchange rate - without any expensive mark-up, just a small conversion fee*.
For more tips on using ATMs abroad, check out our guide to Global Alliance ATMs and learn all about the highest ATM fees in Europe.
And that’s it - everything you need to know about using Euronet ATMs while abroad.
They aren’t always the cheapest option, but it may be possible to avoid unnecessary fees if you choose the right ATM and always choose to withdraw in the local currency. Have a great trip!
Sources used:
Sources last checked on date: 17-Jun-2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Discover how to use your Metro Bank debit card overseas. Our guide covers foreign transaction fees, exchange rates, and tips for holiday spending.
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