Southam

Consumer beware: Caixa, a big banking outfit in Spain, has ATM machines everywhere. My withdrawal in September incurred a whopping 5 euro fee from the source, as well as the expected $3 Cdn from my own bank. Santander, even bigger, did not charge a fee (neither did ING in the Netherlands.) Most European banks I have used over a number of years did not charge any fee at their machines.

Christina

Santander charges a fee in Mexico, I've used them there. I could have sworn the last time I was in Spain (about 2 years ago), all the ATMs were now charging a fee, which is unusual in Europe, and was something new. But I may be remembering wrong.

In any case, they have to tell you before you make the transaction.

Kathie

Alas! Charging fees seems to be more and more common. I'm glad I have an ATM card that refunds any fees charged by the local ATM.

Michael

<i>Santander charges a fee in Mexico</i>

I believe that this is the case for all banks in Mexico.

hetismij2

Banks in the eurozone can charge a fee for the use of an ATM, provided they charge it for all customers, including their own. They must have a sticker or a notice which appears on the start screen before you commence with your transaction.
Getting a fee back which shouldn't have been charged is almost impossible.
Some German banks also charge a fee, as do some Portuguese, French and italian banks.

They make money out of it though (of course!) since a euro transaction costs at most €0.60, and they regularly charge upwards of €5 regardless of the amount withdrawn.

kanadajin

Bankia seemed to have the smallest fees for us when we were there a few months ago. I am not sure if this is still the case. (based on the the "warning" screens that pop up right at the ATM).

Also, I found that the some banks had higher posted fees whether the ATM was smack in the middle of touristic areas (casco viejo) or in a more local or residential areas, this for a same bank.

xyz123

As originally implemented years ago, cirrus and plus were basically the only international shared teller networks owned respectively by matercard and visa and specifically had regulations prohibiting banks from charging fees for dispensing cash to users of cards not tied to accounts in that country. that seems to have gone by the wayside in recent years as banks have found ways to route the requests for cash over networks other than those owned by mastercard and visa. there are several enlightened banks in the United States that will rebate these fees upto a set amount each statement cycle but as with everything, you have to check the policy of your individul bank.