Unlike many other countries in Europe, Germany remains a cash-oriented economy despite being one of its technological leaders. If, as an expat, you are used to state-of-the-art online banking for foreigners, here you should rather know where the nearest ATM to use is. In Germany, there are several types of ATMs and other options for getting cash. This article explains these and many other details including how to withdraw money from an ATM in Germany and what German ATM fees one might expect.
ATMs in Germany
How to withdraw money
Cash withdrawal limits
ATM fees
How to find ATMs in Germany
Alternative ways to withdraw money in Germany
Useful tips for expats
ATMs in Germany
For more guides check:
(1) ATMs in the EU,
(2) ATMs in Ireland,
(3) ATMs in Sweden,
(4) ATMs in the UK.
Some facts about cash and ATMs in Germany
- There are around 51,000 ATMs in Germany, including about 5,300 operated by independent providers and 175 Bitcoin ATMs
- The total number of locations where one can withdraw money in Germany is around 64,500, and roughly half of those offer cash at a point of sale, either as cashback, cash-in-shop, or both.
The German ATM network is operated by large and small local banks, international banks as well as independent providers. The logos of accepted card systems are usually displayed on the ATM. For holders of Mastercard or Visa, using ATMs in Germany is not a problem. Cirrus and Plus-compatible ATMs are also common. Keep in mind that German ATMs use chip-and-pin cards.
The best banks to withdraw money in Germany in terms of ATM coverage may be:
- Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe runs more than 20,000 ATMs across the country.
- The Bankcard-Servicenetz is the second largest ATM network of more than 16,000 units managed by the Federal Association of German Co-operative Banks.
- For some expats with foreign bank cards Deutsche Bank may be the best bank to withdraw money in Germany because it is the only banking institution in the country participating in Global ATM Alliance. ATM fees here are mutually waived by the Alliance members that include many international banks in the USA, the UK, Europe, and elsewhere – and perhaps your bank is one of them.
In turn, many German private banks participate in one of the two major alliances: Cash Group and CashPool.
Cash Group runs a network of over 7,000 ATMs in Germany and comprises the four largest private banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, HypoVereinsbank, and Postbank), which mutually waive German ATM fees for their clients. Its main competitor, CashPool, has 29 members and over 2,500 ATMs in Germany.
Independent providers
Due to rising costs, German banks have been reducing the number of their ATMs since the pandemic. This gap, however, is being filled by independent providers such as Euronet, Travelex, MoneyMachine, and the like. Their machines are conveniently located (Euronet alone operates more than 2,000 units) but may not be the best ATMs to use in Germany because they charge rather high fees.
Bitcoin ATMs in Germany
According to Statista, Germany is ranked as one of the leading countries in Europe in terms of Bitcoin ATMs, with Düsseldorf boasting the highest number of the machines (21). If your routine online banking for foreigners includes bitcoins, you might think these are the best ATMs to use in Germany. Keep in mind, however, that it is still a grey area, and the German financial regulator, BaFin, tends to see this practice as a violation of the National Banking Act.
How to withdraw money from an ATM in Germany
Using ATMs in Germany is not much different from other countries:
- Insert your card into the card reader slot.
- Select the preferred interface language (English is usually available)
- Enter your PIN code.
- Select the type of withdrawal and enter the amount (it should be less than cash withdrawal limits in Germany).
- Confirm your transaction, take out the card, and collect the cash.
If you hold a non-euro card, then whenever you withdraw money in Germany you will be prompted to select whether you want your transaction to be “With conversion”. Always decline (select “Without conversion”) to avoid paying extra. German ATM fees in this case involve a so-called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) which means less favourable exchange rates than your home bank or card provider would give you. The DCC rates would also vary between banks/ATMs.
Compare: German bank account types.
Cash withdrawal limits in Germany
If you need to withdraw money in Germany, especially larger amounts, keep in mind that limits apply per transaction and/or per day. The specific amount of money you can withdraw from ATMs in Germany depends on your bank and usually varies between €500 and €2,000 per transaction. However, some machines might not be the best ATMs to use in Germany for substantial cash withdrawals because the limit is as low as €200.
For larger amounts, it might be best to visit a bank in Germany to withdraw money. In this case, to ensure you get the cash, arrange your visit in advance. If no prior arrangement has been made, the cash withdrawal limit in German banks is usually up to €10,000.
If your bank card was issued outside of Germany, your home bank might have its own withdrawal limits for international transactions.
German ATM fees
If you hold a German bank card, then the best ATM to use in Germany is one of your issuing bank or one belonging to the same network as your issuing bank (Bankcard, Cash Group, or CashPool). In this case you can withdraw money in Germany for free. If you use another bank’s ATM in Germany, however, the transaction will be charged.
As an expat in Germany, you might be using neobanks such as Revolut or Wise for online banking for foreigners. Such providers apply their own fee structures. For example, basic subscribers of Revolut are allowed up to 5 withdrawals or up to €200 per month for free. Wise allows two cash withdrawals in Germany per month, or up to €200. Charges on amounts above these limits vary depending on the subscription plans, the country where the card was issued, and the subscriber’s country of residence.
Furthermore, German third-party ATM fees may be imposed on Revolut or Wise cash withdrawals in Germany.
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How to find ATMs in Germany
In many situations, the best ATM to use in Germany is the one nearest to you. Keep in mind that Google and Apple Maps do not always list them as ‘ATMs’. To be on the safe side, search for ‘Geldautomat’ or ‘Bankautomat’ instead.
Alternatively, you can use ATM locators by providers, both the banks and the card operators. For example, if you need to find Mastercard or Visa ATMs in Germany, there are dedicated sections on the companies’ respective websites.
Most popular ATM locators
Alternative ways to withdraw money in Germany
For those well-travelled expats who are used to more advanced online banking for foreigners in other countries, the following two formats may seem outdated.
Nevertheless, they are viewed as popular alternatives to ATMs in Germany: cashback and cash-in-shop transactions account for 9% of all cash withdrawals in the country. In a cashback transaction, you need to buy something at a shop (minimum €20) and pay more with your card at checkout (maximum €200). The difference between the cost of your purchase and the amount paid is returned to you in cash. In turn, under the cash-in-shop scheme, you can both deposit and withdraw money in Germany at a participating shop, and there is no requirement to buy any goods.
The latest Bundesbank data show that nearly 30,000 locations across the country offer cashback and more than 12,000 cash-in-shop services.
Useful tips for expats
As an expat living in Germany, you would occasionally travel, either for leisure, work, or back to your home country to see your family. Which means that you might need currency other than euros for your travels. Unfortunately, you cannot get any such currency from ATMs in Germany, which operate exclusively in euros. Some people prefer to first go to their destination and then withdraw the currency they need from a local ATM. However, this strategy is not always the best, for example, because:
- Your euro card may simply not work in another country
- You might fall victim to ATM scams such as card skimming (PIN theft) or trapping (card ‘trapped’ in the ATM)
- The currency exchange rate and additional fees could make such transactions very expensive.
These points are especially useful to remember if you are going to your home country and thinking of bringing some cash with you as a gift for your loved ones or depositing it at a local bank. The best solution here is to use Profee, a licensed online money transfer service. It is highly secure, the money is delivered quickly, and, most importantly, you enjoy top exchange rates and very low or even zero fees. Simply get the Profee app for iOS/Android, or check the web converter on www.profee.com to manage your money transfers most efficiently.
