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Withdrawing money from ATMs in Rome is easy and could be the best way to exchange your money.
In many countries, the use of cash is now obsolete. In Italy, even if the use of credit cards is increasingly widespread, cash payment remains the most widely used payment system.
To solve this problem when traveling abroad, in the past you bought travel checks or exchanged money in your own country. Nowadays, all this is out of date and unsafe. While travel cheques turn out to be very time-consuming and expensive in terms of exchange rates traveling with cash could be dangerous.
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Withdrawing money from ATMs in Rome is easy and could be the best way to exchange your money.
In many countries, the use of cash is now obsolete. In Italy, even if the use of credit cards is increasingly widespread, cash payment remains the most widely used payment system.
To solve this problem when traveling abroad, in the past you bought travel checks or exchanged money in your own country. Nowadays, all this is out of date and unsafe. While travel cheques turn out to be very time-consuming and expensive in terms of exchange rates traveling with cash could be dangerous.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Use ATMs in Rome
In Italy, you need cash and the best way to get it is to withdraw money from an ATM.
If you need to pay for a coffee, a slice of pizza, or a small family business such as a Bed and Breakfast, even in a big city, you may be asked to pay cash because not all businesses accept cards payments.
Withdraw money from ATM could be a valid alternative to the more used credit cards. They often provide the best exchange rate and, as reported below, in some cases without commission fee.
You will find ATMs on every corner, whether in a small town or a big city. Generally located just outside banks, they operate 24/7. If they are inside and you happen to arrive during closing time, swipe your card into the reader normally located near the front door and access the area dedicated to ATMs.
Withdrawing money from an ATM in Rome
Planning to use an ATM in Rome, don’t forget to pick up your PIN code and let your bank know that you are traveling abroad.
If you don’t notify them, they may shut off your card because they have put you on fraud alert, thinking your card has been stolen!
To avoid commission fees and get the best rate when withdrawing money in Rome, check if your bank has a sister bank In Rome that is part of the Global ATM Alliance.
Withdrawing money in Rome from Global ATM Alliance
Italian banks do not charge for ATM withdrawals, but your bank might charge a foreign withdrawal fee. It’s best to find out about the withdrawal fees before you leave your own country.
Some banks are part of the Global ATM Alliance. If your bank is part of this, it means that your bank has partner banks or sister banks abroad. These banks have an agreement not to charge International ATM access fees if you use ATM in Rome that is part of the Global ATM Alliance.
List of Banks in the Global ATM Alliance
Bank of America (United States)
Barclays (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Pakistan, Gibraltar, Ghana, Kenya, and other countries in Africa)
BNP Paribas (France)
BNP Paribas Fortis (Belgium)
Deutsche Bank (Germany, Poland, Belgium, India, Spain, Portugal, and Italy)
Scotiabank (Canada, Caribbean, Peru, Chile, and Mexico)
Westpac (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands)
Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu)
Westpac New Zealand Limited (New Zealand)
Westpac Bank – PNG – Limited (Papua New Guinea)
Westpac Bank Samoa Limited (Samoa)
Westpac Bank of Tonga (Tonga)
ABSA (South Africa)
UkrSibbank (Ukraine)
NOTE: Bank of America will only honor ATM reciprocity for one country per bank. You will not be charged a fee for using Barclays branches in the UK or Deutsche Bank branches in Germany, you will be charged fees for branches of those banks in other countries.
Chances are it will sometimes be difficult to find partner ATMs. You are still better off withdrawing a large amount of money, even from a foreign ATM, than using a money changer.
Bank of America, for example, doesn’t charge if you use banks such as BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro) and apply only a 1% foreign conversion fee. ATMs will give you the best exchange rate.
Bank Limits while withdrawing money from an ATM in Rome
Please note, even though the bank will extend your daily credit, if trying to withdraw more than 250,00 euro per session the ATM could give you back a strange and frightening message like: “Your card is not valid” or (even more terrifying) “You ran out of credit”.
No need to worry! If you need more than 250,00 euros you need to make more than one transaction for at most 250,00 euro/each. Generally, you will be charged a little and an insignificant fee will be added (banks are banks) but, in the end, all together it will still be worth doing.
Last but not least a little warning to avoid tourist traps when withdrawing money from an ATM in Rome.
Pitfalls to avoid when looking at exchange offices or Airports ATM in Rome
Even if you’re short on cash at your arrival, make sure to avoid changing money at the money exchange offices at the airport, port, or train station. The rates are usually exorbitant at these places, so it’s not advisable to do so.
To avoid also some airport ATM in Rome that take advantage of the naivety of some and in particular of tourists not accustomed to the use of cash.
Unlike ATM systems connected to banks, which appear to be anonymous, to attract attention systems carry the word “ATM” in large letters.
These versions of ATM systems have appeared, in the proximity of the tourist sites and, in particular: stations, ports, airports, newspaper kiosks, bars, tobacco shops, etc.
We warmly advise you to stay away from them if you need to withdraw money from an ATM in Rome and look for a regular bank ATM.
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