My wife and I are going to Italy next month for a month. I have talked to several people about using ATMs in Italy and have read the messages posted on this site about this subject. Everyone says that to use an ATM in Italy your PIN is 4 digits. The Fodor's Italy 2004 guide books says on page 56 that ATMs in Italy require 5 digits. Can anybody clarify? Please help. Thank you

I was just in Italy for the month of September and my 4 diget code never failed me!

Four digits work for me as well.

Guess they never informed the banks we used in Italy that we were supposed to have 5 digits. Our four digit PINs worked perfect every time -- this has been over a period of maybe 20 weeks total in the last 5 years.

I have never been to Italy so I can't say for sure how ATMs work there but I have recently had some experience with ATM pin numbers which might apply to your situation. I always assumed ATM pin numbers were 4 digits everywhere but my Fleet checking account requires a 6-12 digit pin number. I have found that even though Fleet requires 6+ digits, my other checking account with a 4 digit pin number works in all Fleet machines and my longer Fleet pin works in all of the other machines I have tried, both older and newer ATMs. Again I can't say this is the case in Italy but I assume that ATMs around the world are relativly similar so the difference is probably just in the national standards.

During 10 days in Tuscan in Venice we hit the Bancomat (ATM) daily.

Four digits worked flawlessly.

Hi ken,

Just back from 3 weeks in Italy. 4 digit pins are fine.

Keep in mind that sometimes the ATM won't work. This is usually because your bank's server is off line for maintenance. Wait an hour and try again.

JPMorgan Chase Manhattan requires a six digit code. I use the same six digit code in Italy and almost always without problems. When I encounter a problem, I try punching in the first four digits of my code and this has worked. Sometimes the machines won't give you money no matter what you try. Then you move on. I always suggest you call your bank and ask to speak to someone in foreign exchange and pose this question directly to a representative. You should be able to get an accurate answer. Never rely on guide books for such important information. Guide books "guide," and often say too little.