Hi! I was reading another thread about the use of ATM cards from USA in Europe and I got worried that I might run into problems when I try to use mine in Europe when I go next month. I'm from Australia and wonder if there is anyone on this forum from here as well who can share their experience (especially National Aust Bank). I have called the bank and they said it should be ok but I want to be sure.

Thanks!

Hi phatdiva

Very American name for an Oz! I am an Australian living in Switzerland. I used my Australian CPS Credit Union card issued through the Nat Aust bank for the first few months I was here with no problems. All of our visitors from Australia have used their cards from various banks again with no problems. I have a 6 digit pin on my Australian cards and a 6 digit pin on my European cards and they both have worked in many countries in western Europe. So in my experience, no problems. I can also use my European cards in Australia, my Australian and European cards in America and Asia so it seems that it may only be the American cards that have some problems.

Hi we have used our CBA card in Portugal,Italy,Spain, Holland and France with no problems at all. Who needs travellers cheques when you can find a convenient hole in the wall everywhere.

I dont know if this helps, but I had a NAB mastercard when I was travelling Europe and I was able to withdraw money from any ATMs with a Cirrus logo.

Thanks for the replies! I have a 4-digit pin, and hope that it will work with 6-digit pin ATMs...

Hi phatdiva,

4-digit PIN is what you should have.

Check the back of our ATM card - if it has a Cirrus or Plus logo, then the card will work in any ATM with like logos.

Also, 4-digit (no alphas) pins are required in Europe, so you might want to change yours before heading out. However, I've come across instances where folks with 6-digit pins key in the 6, but only 4 are read by the ATM - but I wouldn't take the chance.

Also check whether your bank charges a fee for withdrawal from foreign banks, as well as what your daily maximum withdrawal is. You might want to increase it, though the ATM in Europe might have its' own maximum so that won't help any.

I have a six digit pin on my european issued atm card and my australian issued atm card. I live in europe. It works, that I can definitely remember, in France, Italy, England, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. I put in the whole six digits. I think the 4 digit pin is an American thing.

Call your bank (and credit card) security departments before you go, tell them you are going, and then go. Your cards will work. You're worrying about the wrong things. Enjoy your trip!

Hi, we're Australians too and have used a Visa debit and a Visa credit card in European ATMS with no problems. We have a standard (for Australia) 4 digit pin. The only thing that is different, you may need to press the 'credit' button where at home you may press 'savings' or 'cheque'. If at first you don't succeed .... keep trying like we did till the money comes out!
Kay

I think the 4-digit PIN thing is mostly historical; 20 years ago some of the European ATM systems would only take 4-digits, and the advice tends to get repeated. From Lynn's comments, it appears that there should be no problem with 6-digit PINs these days.

Nice to see Aussies replying to each other for a change..makes me feel a bit homesick..glad to know theres other Aussies out there..
ps. Lynn if u're reading this, I'm also an Aussie living in Swiss-and I'm miss the beach and cheap Asian food...

Sorry Phatdiva to hijack the thread. Katz Hi, cheap asian food yes yes yes. Paid 28 CHF for lunch yesterday for chicken and cashew nuts, mineral water and a coffee! Going home for two weeks at Christmas, I will hit China town and not come out until my plane leaves!

Thank you for all your help! I can't wait-19 more days!! Woohoo!