Bank ATM fees in Spain
 

It seems most, if not all banks in Spain, are now charging a service fee (5€ in some cases) to use their ATMs. And that goes for both locals and visitors. Add that to the fee imposed by Bank of America and it can add up to more then the cost of breakfast for two at Casa Dani in tne Mercado de la Paz, Madrid, or a croquetas cremosas de Jamón Joselito raciones at Álbora.

Not to speak of DCC, which is hard to avoid in Spanish ATMs. (Read the whole screen carefully.)

For those unfamiliar with DCC, it's a conversion "service" to your home currency -- at an unfavorable conversion rate. DCC is common on credit card charges also.

http://www.rtve.es/n/1279981.shtml

More info on what each bank charges in terms of commission (in spanish). It is unclear if these ATM fees also apply "as is" to overseas visitors in Spain or if there would be a surcharge.

The bank I use for travel (Capital One online) refunds foreign bank ATM fees (up to $25/month, I think) so I paid no such charges on my recent visit to Spain.

Spain was, indeed, one of the worst countries on my recent trip for DCC. I don't think I found a single ATM that didn't "offer" it, and most restaurants tried to charge it too. You have to stay alert EVERY time you use plastic.

Time to go back into the banks to bother the tellers. What is the service charge if one does that ?