ATMs & Cash Rules in Every Country

Japan is heavily cash-based — always carry yen. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.

ATMs are widely available and the UAE is largely cashless, but carry AED 200–500 for souqs and small traditional vendors.

Thai ATMs charge a 220 baht fee per foreign card withdrawal — minimise withdrawals, carry cash for markets and temples, and always choose to be charged in Thai baht.

Germany is more cash-dependent than most Western European countries — always carry euros as many restaurants and smaller shops are cash-only.

UK ATMs are widespread and free at supermarkets and post offices; contactless payments up to £100 are the norm but some small venues still require cash.

Cards are widely accepted across France, but some traditional markets and brasseries prefer cash — use Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, or Société Générale ATMs and always decline dynamic currency conversion.

Contactless card payments are universal in Australia, and many venues are now cashless — but carry AUD 50–100 for markets and small vendors.

ATMs from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and POSB are widespread, but contactless payments and e-wallets are accepted almost everywhere in Singapore.

Cash remains important in Italy, especially in smaller towns and markets; use bank ATMs such as Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit and always decline dynamic currency conversion.

ATMs are widely available and foreign cards are broadly accepted — always pay in Turkish Lira to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion rates.

Use ATMs inside bank branches to avoid skimming; always decline DCC and choose to be charged in pesos.

Use bank-branded ATMs and always choose to be charged in euros (decline DCC) — Euronet and standalone ATMs charge very high fees.

Use ATMs inside shopping malls or banks during daylight hours — Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, and Caixa are most reliable for foreign cards, and Pix digital payments are now ubiquitous.

Use ATMs from major banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, or AXIS — they reliably accept foreign cards, and always carry cash as many small vendors and rural areas are cash-only.

Use Bank of China, ICBC, or HSBC ATMs for the most reliable foreign card access — cash is still necessary for markets and small vendors.

ATMs at 7-Eleven, GS25 convenience stores, and post offices reliably accept foreign cards 24/7, though cash remains useful for markets and street food.

Cash (VND) is widely needed — use Vietcombank, Techcombank, or BIDV ATMs and exchange at banks or gold shops for the best rates.

Avoid Euronet ATMs due to high fees — stick to bank ATMs such as Alpha Bank, Piraeus, or National Bank of Greece.

The Multibanco ATM network is widespread and accepts foreign cards, but avoid Euronet machines which charge high fees.

The Netherlands is highly card-based but critically, many shops only accept Dutch debit (PIN/Maestro) cards and not Visa or Mastercard credit cards — always check before you shop.

ATMs are widely available and cards are accepted almost everywhere — Interac debit is the dominant payment method and foreign cards work at all major bank ATMs.

BCA, Mandiri, BNI, and BRI ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards; cash is essential as many places are cash-only; only use authorized money changers in Bali.

ATMs from Maybank, CIMB, and Public Bank accept most foreign cards, and Touch 'n Go e-wallet is widely used alongside cash for markets and local eateries.

Egypt is a largely cash economy — use CIB or Banque Misr ATMs for foreign cards and carry small EGP notes for everyday use.

Cash is king in Morocco — withdraw dirhams from bank ATMs in cities and note that taking dirhams out of Morocco is illegal in significant quantities.

ATMs are widely available from major banks and accept foreign cards; contactless and Apple Pay are very widely accepted, making cash less essential.

Qatar is largely cashless in modern venues — Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted — but cash is still needed at some souq vendors and smaller shops.

Standard Bank, ABSA, FNB, and Nedbank ATMs accept foreign cards; only use ATMs inside banks or malls during business hours to avoid robbery.

Contactless card payment is universal in New Zealand — cash is rarely needed, but ATMs from major banks accept foreign cards.

BDO, BPI, and Metrobank ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards; carry cash as many islands and local businesses are cash-only.

Argentina's currency situation is critical — withdrawing from ATMs at the official rate loses significant value, so carry USD or EUR to exchange at legal casas de cambio for the far better blue rate.

Bancolombia, Davivienda, and BBVA Colombia ATMs accept foreign cards, but use ATMs inside banks or malls during daylight hours to avoid robbery risk.

ATMs from BAC, Banco Nacional, and Scotiabank reliably accept foreign cards; USD is widely accepted in tourist areas but colones are needed for rural destinations.

BCP, BBVA, and Interbank ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards; cash is essential as many places outside tourist hubs are cash-only and counterfeit soles circulate.

Switzerland uses CHF (Swiss francs), not euros — cards are widely accepted and contactless is standard, but carry some CHF cash for smaller vendors and rural areas.

Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted; ATMs are plentiful but avoid Euronet machines, which charge high fees.

Czech Republic uses CZK (koruna), not euros — always pay in CZK and never accept dynamic currency conversion (DCC).

Poland uses PLN (złoty) — always pay in PLN not euros, and avoid Euronet ATMs due to high fees; use bank ATMs like PKO BP or Pekao instead.

Sweden is moving rapidly toward being a cashless society — many places refuse cash entirely, so a contactless card is essential, though Swedbank, SEB, and Handelsbanken ATMs accept foreign cards.

Norway is extremely cashless — Vipps mobile payments and contactless cards dominate daily life, but carry some NOK cash for very remote areas and small rural vendors.

Croatia uses the euro since January 2023 — avoid Euronet ATMs and use Erste, Raiffeisen, or Zagrebačka banka machines instead.

Always withdraw and pay in Hungarian Forints (HUF) — never accept 'pay in your home currency' offers, and avoid Euronet ATMs due to very high fees.

The Jordanian Dinar is one of the world's most stable currencies — use Arab Bank or Cairo Amman Bank ATMs and carry cash for small vendors.

Commercial Bank, HNB, and Sampath Bank ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards; carry cash in rural areas as card acceptance is limited.

Cash is essential in Nepal, especially beyond Kathmandu — Standard Chartered, Nabil, and Everest Bank ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.

ATMs are everywhere in Hong Kong and foreign cards are widely accepted — HSBC, Hang Seng, and Standard Chartered all support international cards.

Carry USD cash — resorts are mostly card-friendly but local islands and smaller guesthouses often require cash, and ATMs are scarce outside Malé.

Equity Bank, KCB, and Standard Chartered ATMs reliably accept foreign cards; M-Pesa mobile money is dominant; carry USD as backup in tourist and safari areas.

CRDB and NMB ATMs in Arusha and Dar es Salaam reliably accept foreign cards, but cash — especially USD — is essential as ATMs are absent in national parks.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in the US, but cash is still useful for tips, small vendors, and street food — ATM fees of USD 2-5 per withdrawal are common.