Cash from ATMs
 

Going to Italy June 1 and wondering if ATM cards work over there. Am on Cirrus Network. Do you need a different PIN or does the same one work as in the USA?

Most networks switched to 4 digit PINs years ago. So, as long as you have a 4 digit PIN you'll be fine on the Cirrus network. If you're concerned, just check with your bank.

Yes, ATM cards work in Italy, you will receive Euro bills. Cirrus is a common network. I assume you have a 4-digit pin number? The fee will be what is impossed from your home bank ($0-3USD per international transaction is standard) and the rate of exchange reflects whatever it is that day.

Yes, the ATM machines (usually called Bancomats) work in Italy. And what a wonderful invention they are!!! I usually contact my bank before I go to alert them that I will be using the card. As a rule, the same 4-digit PIN is used, but just to be sure, I would double check with the bank.

Hi lucien,

Find out from your bank what they charge for "out of network" transactions.

Lucien, I hate to even mention this, but if you are traveling alone you should have some back up for getting cash as Italian ATM's have been known every once in a blue moon to eat an ATM card and not give it back. This did happen to my cousin, and there have been a few similar posts here from others.

A second ATM card for the same account, a second account with ATM card, or a credit card that you can get a cash advance on (expensive, but useful in an emergency) -- any of these would do. (If you are traveling with someone else, you could presumably use their funds until you could get a replacement ATM card.)

I don't know it it's still true or not, but someone on Frommer's board said that in Italy your PIN should not begin with a zero. To be on the safe side, you might want to change it if this applies.

Use the ATM as much as possible instead of changing cash or TC's. You'll get a much better exchange rate, plus it's a lot more convenient.

Thanks for the quick responses!! Based on the dollar/euro exchange rate these days I will probably be visiting the ATM often! What the heck, its vacation.

But don't forget to to your bank and credit card company that you will be using the cards in Italy, or they may freeze the account until they can reach you.

Keith

That's excellent advice Kieth. I just read on rec.travel.europe a post from a fellow who said that his MasterCard would not work in Italy. When he returned home to the UK he called his bank. They confirmend that their MCs could not be used in Italy. Too much fraud. The poster said that his bank also told him that there were other countries where their MC is not valid. So, call your credit card issuer and let them know before you go. This reminds me that the ABN-AMRO banks in The Netherlands had posted their cash machines last year to the effect that withdrawals could not be made against credit cards.

We used ATM cards all over Europe (including Italy) and none of our PIN numbers started with 0. No problems.

As for letting MasterCard know about your plans, I got lucky by not knowing this and not contacting them first since I lost my card before I even used it and the company blocked the charge when someone else tried to use it! But this year I do plan to get them know.