Don't use Euronet.

Don’t use Euronet.

Euronet ATMs are popping up all over the world. But they have very high fees. And you should stay away from them.

For the past couple of years, I have noticed ATM’s from the company Euronet popping up in many countries.

ATM’s from this company are always located in places with many tourists and are easily visible. In many airports they have exclusive rights to operate ATMs at the moment. Budapest Airport is one example.

Euronet ATMs do in many ways look like regular ATMs. But there is a problem. The fees that are charged by Euronet and the exchange rates that are given are really really bad, compared to ordinary banks.

It varies from country to country how they work. It all comes down to how much they can get away with in each country. Without breaking the law. If a country has a weak consumer protection law, then they will often make you lose up to 15% of your money in fees and bad exchange rates if you use them.

They are made so that they only have high charges on foreign cards. This way they avoid getting into too much trouble with the locals. But the foreign tourists pay a very high price to use them.

I have actually seen them claim that they help the small shop owners in the countries they operate, because they only charge high fees from foreign visitors. Now that is a complete joke if you ask me.

I have done some research and some of the eastern European countries are especially badly hit by high Euronet fees. I am writing these lines in Hungary, where they are everywhere.

One month ago I was Visiting Poland and noticed them in many places there. And noticed that the rates and fees there are terribly high there as well. Portugal has also been swamped with Euronet machines recently.

How does Euronet avoid local hatred?

Euronet machines are made in a way so that local credit cards are charged regular exchange rates and fees. The machines are made so that they only charge exorbitant fees to foreign cards. Meaning that they only charge visiting tourists way more than they should.

This way they make local shop owners, hotel owners, airports and so on accept their machines. Because they are only unfair to visiting tourists who will be gone next week.

This is to me business when it is at its very dirtiest.

Who is behind Euronet?

The company is not actually European as you might think. Euronet is from the small town Leawood in Kansas. Euronet roughly employs 7700 people.

My advice to you if you are on holiday and need to draw money from your debit or credit card, then use the ATM’s that are inside regular banks. They are generally a lot cheaper. And I mean really a lot cheaper. There is no need to waste your hard earned cash on these machines.

is this the new normal for ATM’s?

Euronet has actually contacted me because of this article. They started off being very polite, while trying to convince me that they were really nice to everyone. When they realised that I was not going to take my blogpost down, they shifted into a very aggressive tone, telling me that this was the new normal. And I better get used to it.

I will keep doing everything I can to make sure that this will never be the new normal. I know that this blogpost has saved many people money. So I will keep posting travel info. Including info about companies that I do not think people should deal with.

I decided to write this because I hate to see people wasting money when they travel. Hope you found this information helpful.

You are more than welcome to share this blogpost on social media, if you agree with me.

Nice travels, without Euronet, to everyone.

Euronet

Euronet ATM in Ponta Delgada, on the Azores.

Claus.

123 Comments

  1. Thanks for the warning, Claus. Back when I only traveled a few weeks per trip, I just brought money with me. Now that I”m away for much longer, I just withdraw money from ATMs. The 15% they charge is such BS. Most travelers aren’t usually aware of the charges deducted from their account, so this is good to know. I haven’t seen them here in Israel but I’ll keep on the lookout for those elsewhere.

    • I just bought some Kronas at Prague airport Euronet ATM whilst waiting for my luggage and they ripped me off by over 15 per cent. What a scandal. How can a Yankee firm be aloud to be called Euronet Worldwide is mind boggling. Also they have the cheek to write on the receipt Mark up: o%. Bastards.

    • 40 euros in salou spain 49.65 euros out of my account total rip off need to be looked into.

  2. I can confirm this. I used one of these ATM’s situated at the airport in Copenhagen to withdraw Danish Crones (my currency was Euros) and later that day I googled the exchange rate and woops, in the end I payed around 10-12% more than I should have. 100% Rip- Off.

  3. Hi
    Just got stuck with Euronet doing a ridiculous conversion. I have an Australian Debit card. They did a Euro to Australian dollar to Euro conversion. Lost 44€ in the process

  4. We just used Euronet in Vienna and got ripped off $70 US because we weren’t paying close enough attention to the exchange rate. The receipt that we gott said “I have chosen not to use the MasterCard currency conversion process and agree that I will have no recourse
    against MC concerning the currency conversion or its disclosure.” Of course this is not true. I plan on complaining to MC although I realize it will be to no avail. So frustrating to be ripped off.

  5. Just got stung in Lisbon Airport. What a rip off.

  6. Totally agree. They are everywhere in Copenhagen, more in number than the genuine bank machines. I used a Monzo card so should have had my DKK converted by Monzo at the best rate. Foolishly (I was in a hurry) I accepted their rate for the conversion. Fortunately it was not a large amount, but they are a great big con. Avoid at all costs, literally.

  7. Thanks for the info I will definitely avoid using Euronet

  8. they’re in Porto Portugal too, everywhere!

  9. Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately I found out the hard way. They charge a conversion rate for Euro to Euro, assuming your own country as the origin denomination. Very dishonest system.

  10. I found out the hard way also, I had a new ‘Travelex Money Card’ loaded only as I believed with Euro, needing Euro cash urgently in Berlin the nearest ATM I could find late at night after arrival was a Euronet one displaying the MasterCard symbol of my Travelex Money card. It refused to pay out Euros direct stating that I must accept their conversion rate. At this point being new card and first use I took perhaps as the card had in error been loaded with Sterling and needing cash accepted the transaction. Aggh wrong — same as Wayne’s post above they charge conversion from Euro to Euro recognising prepaid card as issued in UK. On top of that Travelex added later their own ‘Purse Conversion Fee. of 5.7% so cost me 28 Euros to get 150 Euros in cash. Complaint now raised with Travelex and Mastercard — outcome pending.
    My next transaction was in a Banking Hall 150 Euros dispensed without problem zero charges and later check of account for card showed only the 150 Euros debited. So only Bank ATM’s for me now — shame on Euronet and the Mastercard / Travelex Systems for not adequately protecting or warning their Customers.
    Hope this post will help others to AVOID Euronet and some other non-Bank ATM’s.

  11. I can confirm this company is a rip off. Does anyone know of an official way to put in a complaint against the unlawful practice of charging exchange rates that are not in line?

    • Euronet is an American company from Kansas. This means that if you are in Europe, then you should complain to the lawmakers there, that Euronet is breaking the law.

  12. Used it four times in Lisbon airport , didn’t work, but they took 48rmb four times +12rmb for each transaction which didn’t take place. But in Amsterdam I used it again to withdraw €100 and only cost 779rmb +12rmb exchange fee

    • Hello Rutger, are you saying they charged you even though you did not follow through with the transaction? I think this happened to me. I started to get out of the transaction, there was a final prompt something like “take this exchange rate” with the right button which I had realized was a rip, or “accept the risk that the rate may change” on the left, which I took as walking away from the transaction. I didn’t receive any money or a receipt unless I somehow missed this after taking my card..and yet am missing $150 from my bank account.I want a refund but am fearing that they will not do so…

      • The same way I’m still missing 400 Eur on my Eur card, after I refused Eur transaction with their exchange rate. Next day I applied to my bank and waiting for reply now.

      • Hi Kelli, the same thing has happened to my partner. He cancelled at the point of accepting/declining conversion and it still charged his card a very significant amount. Could you confirm if you received the funds back from Euronet eventually?

    • I just used a Euronet ATM, did not accept their conversion (I never do,) and got the going exchange rate. They use inflammatory language to scare you into accepting their conversion.

  13. Catharina Hanson

    A total rip off. Stay away.

  14. Catharina Hanson

    Rip off. Stay away and watch out for these ATM’s. Theyare all over the airports in Europe.

  15. I can confirm the above reports. I’m from the UK and Visited Rethmnyo in Crete yesterday, used one of their ATM’s – they are everywhere on Crete – to withdraw 40 Euros, from my Revolut (internet bank) Mastercard, which ONLY held Euro’s. When the screen showed a truly uncompetitive conversion rate for EUROS to EUROS – how does that work?!!!! – I decided to hit the “Decline conversion rate” button, but the conversion went ahead anyway!!! and spewed out two, very expensive 20 Euro notes. The receipt the ATM issued was as good as useless, all it showed was the transaction value (40 Euros) and the date. No information whatsoever about the conversion rate or any useful information.

    So yes, definitely avoid these scam ATM’s and as others have advised, ONLY use ATM’s attached to Banks.

    Also, a little naming and shaming probably wouldn’t go amiss either.

    These ‘stand-alone’ ATM’s are usually located on a retailer’s property – either in their wall, or freestanding, outside on the front of their premises. Obviously, the business owner is on a deal whereby they receive some form of kickback/commission/transaction fee, for allowing Euronet to site their machines on their premises, and every time the ATM is used. So, I suggest it is ‘politely’ pointed out to them that their customers – that’s you and me – are getting ripped off by Euronet. And adding insult to injury, when their customers are spending their ‘expensively acquired’ cash, in the owner’s business – if you get my point!!

    Of course, another ‘direct action’ option, might be to superglue the card, cash and receipt slots, thus rendering them inoperable – albeit temporarily. This will cause some irritation to the business owner. Rightly so in my opinion. Making money out of potential patrons of their business or service, in such an unethical way, is not a good way to build customer goodwill. Neither will such a tacky, money-grabbing business model, encourage referrals to other potential customers. Very short-sighted.

    Just make sure you’re not being filmed whilst in the act!!!

  16. I almost got ripped off by them in Italy, but noticed that the exchange rate was too high…. decided to Google it before making a decision and found your article, confirming that I was not being overly paranoid for no reason…. Thank you for taking the time to warn other travelers!!

    • My pleasure Lara. This blog is first of all created in order to help fellow travelers with tips and advice. Greetings from Bosnia, where I am traveling at the moment.

  17. Steven Sparks

    4 times italy… Rome airport, Capri, Praiano

  18. These machines are now ubiquitous on the Costa del sol. When initially they arrived here you were not charged for taking out euros but the sterling conversation rates were awful. Now to discourage those of us who have Santander zero accounts or Halifax clarity cards a fee of 1.95 euros is applied if you refuse their extortionate mark-up. Avoid and use the cash machines of reputable banks

  19. Steve Schroer

    Ich verstehe das Problem wohl nicht so ganz: Euronet gibt bei Kredit- und Debitkarten die auf Euro lauten keinen “1:1 Wechselkurs”? Das wäre ja wirklich kriminell!? Oder habe die Betroffenen die DDC-Option (DirektCurrencyConversation) bewusst/unbewusst gewählt, die bei Karten aus dem Euroraum für Euroabhebungen gar nicht angeboten werden sollte/dürfte.
    Ich habe vor 7 Tagen 200€ bei einem Euronet-ATM in Buggiba/Malta abgehoben, mit einer “deutschen” Visa-Karte von der DKB. Es wurden dabei weder DCC angeboten noch Gebühren erhoben!
    Vielleicht sollte man darauf hinweisen, das dieses Problem bei Visakarten von deutschen Direktbanken, die weltweit (zumindest europaweit) kostenlose Bargeldauszahlungen versprechen, keine Gebühren genommen werden, wenn man nicht in die DDC-Falle tappt!?
    Sollte ich das Problem nicht ganz erfasst haben, bitte ich um Aufklärung.

  20. Philip Gebhardt

    Yep .. got a terrible exchange rate from Euronet ATM on Valtos Beach near Parga It was interesting that it said ‘receipt not available’ I reckon this is to guard against complaints.

  21. I used Euronet in Lisbon and got a very good rate. There is one important thing to know.
    Once you select the amount you want to withdraw, Euronet will ask if you want the money “with conversion” or “without conversion”. Select WITHOUT CONVERSION.
    ‘With conversion’ means Euronet does the conversion. ‘Without conversion’ means your home bank or credit card company does the conversion. It is cheaper for your home bank to do the conversion.
    Most people select ‘with conversion’ as that seems like the obvious answer “of course I want my money converted”. But select “without conversion” and you will get the foreign currency with your bank doing the exchange.
    Once you select “without conversion”, Euronet will then ask: “are you sure”? Select yes.
    In Portugal there are 2 ATM companies, Multibanco and Euronet. I use Euronet because MB has a 200 euro limit per transaction while Euronet allows me to withdraw 500 euros.
    Hope this helps.

    • Even if you use Euronet without conversion it’s still a very bad deal, because of the high fees they charge. I have the with and without conversion fee thing covered in another post. But Euronet does not just give you a bad rate. They also have massive fees beside the bad rate. So even if you change without conversion, you still get a really bad deal with Euronet.

  22. Benjamin Weiser

    There is a high possibility to get ripped of, as they offer you a “fixed” exchange rate(DynamicCurrenyConversion/DCC), which in my case would have been 25€ higher than the usual exchange rate. However, you can either accept this “fix” rate and click the right button, or you can denie it by clicking the left button (as it was in my case). I denied and got charged by the usual rate.
    However, I personally am gonna avoid Euronet in the future.

    • Parker Johnson

      Ugh. Wish i had read this previous to withdrawing euros at the lisbon airport. I got hit with €25 in fees on a €150 withdrawl

      • You should have gone to the police. ATM fees are illegal in Portugal for debit transactions. The only way they could charge you fees if if you used their DCC or used a credit card. If you reject DCC and don’t use credit cards for withdrawals, they are always 100% free in Portugal

  23. Very good article. I was looking for a map with Euronet ATM’s in Greece, because tomorrow i’ll be there and a friend of mine just told me that he was ripped by a local ATM in Thassos 🙂

    So I told him that I will help him with some pocket cash, but I have to find an Euronet ATM first :))… For some reason I can’t find a map on Euronet site, who knows why!

    You have to trust me, I’m not a stupid traveler and I always think twice before I decide financial things, but this Euronet guys are pretty slick! I’ve never heard about conversion fee to the same currency and I was a bank employee for a few years. If I didn’t pay attention to this info, I think I could be their next sucker.

    I use a Raiffeisen Bank CC issued in Romania and always had reasonable exchange rates. This year I thought it will be better if I will get a Libra Bank CC Euro currency, exclusively for vacation purposes.

    When they’re give you the sale pitch, the zero travel fee it’s on top of the list. Nothing about the conversio fees :))

    If you ask me about Euronet so far, I can say that for more It’s been a pleasure so. For more than a year I use a Romanian currency debit card and there is no ATM fee whatsoever as long as I use Euronet ATM’s in Romania. So I’m doing that heavily.

    After I’ve done reading this article and the comments, I was sure that my friend was cheated exactly by the Euronet :)) and I don’t need to search for they’re fraudulent network. 🙂 I have a smile on my face!

    Thank you!

  24. These ATM’s are everywhere in Crete. Before we set off on our travels we visited the UK post Office and bought a Post Office prepaid MasterCard and loaded the card with 1000 euros. 10 days into our holiday and we noticed that our balance was lower than what we expected (using the PostOffive travel card mobile app). Not understanding the transactions we contacted the Post Office customer service team who kindly informed us we had been ‘scammed’ and hit with DCC charges. Here is a breakdown of our transactions:

    250 euro withdrawal – actual cost 278 euros
    100 euro withdrawal – actual cost 117 euros
    100 euro withdrawal – actual cost 112 euros
    200 euro withdrawal – actual cost 220 euros

    I will be complaining to the Post Office and MasterCard when I return home, yes they don’t own these Euronet ATM’s but they should be doing more to protect and warn their customers

    🤪

    • Hi Shane,

      We had an almost identical experience to you in Mallorca last week. I reckon I lost around £100 due to the dodgy exchange rates on the Euronet ATM outside our hotel. We were also using a Post Office prepaid Mastercard and because it was loaded with Euros, I didn’t think the exchange rate would apply. It seems as though the ATM was converting the Euros to GBP and back to Euros – I am absolutely fuming! I was prepared to pay the transaction fee, which I though was fair enough, but to be stitched up unnecessarily by the DCC is totally out of order. I suspect that because I “accepted” the exchange offered by the ATM I don’t have a leg to stand on. Please let us know how you get on with your complaints – I am also keen to make a formal complaint as this seems to be legalised fraud….

      Cheers.

  25. wish I’d read all this before! Just been ripped for 50quid by Euronet in Siracusa. feel a bit sick. wasn’t aware its so easy to mislead. am very wary now.

  26. Have been to Tenerife and this ATM were all over the place. I debited Euro 70 and did not get warning message and was charged 2.99 Euro by Euronet ATM. On top of that bank charge transaction fees. Total fees around 10%. Is there any law on this loot and scam?

  27. Like others got taken by Euronet in Florence. Paid over 50 Euro to get 200. Lesson learned. I sent a complaint to the company but don’t expect a reply.

  28. I had the same experience for in Rome, Italy, last friday oct. 19th. When I made a withdrawal for 150 EUR I didn’t even got the opportunity to choose anything other than exchange rate that Euronet offered me. At that time 1 EUR = 11.4548 SEK, while the MasterCard rate the same day was 1 EUR = 10.3628 SEK. And on top of that a fee of 2.95 EUR.
    AVOID THESE AMERICAN PROFITEERS!!!

  29. Ha. I am wary of anything that has the acronym “Euro” in it , and was put off also by the looks of them ATM.s . So
    I stayed clear of them and went to a regular bank one , refusing the DDC version of course , but I wanted to find out more about Euronet ( especially as I have a direct view of one of them machines from my apartment window here in beautiful Starigrad , Croatia and that is not the only one ) and , lo and behold , what do I find ?? Bingo , THIS article , and a zillion commentaries , which confirms SUSPICION IS RIGHT as the crooks are everywhere!
    This one is especially despicable as it is aimed at unwary tourists AND it come from the US and and .
    I am changing banks presently so I will have a surplus card soon and I think they do sell superglue at the shop …and it gets dark soon in winter. Dont get mad , get even , folks. and get wise.

  30. They’re still scamming people. I got 150 euros out in Tenerife and the machine completed the transaction before I had chance to hit cancel. The rate on the screen was £1=1.03 euro when the market rate is £1=1.15 euro. Then to add insult to injury they charge a 2.95 euro fee!
    I’m complaining to Euronet, but I don’t hold out much hope.
    Thanks for starting this Claus, I learnt the hard way. Too late for me, but hopefully not others.

  31. Unfortunately, i just used an ATM of Euronet. The normal fee was not very high. But the exchange rate is really, really bad. So please listen to the advice of Clause: DO NOT USE ATM OF EURONET!!!

  32. I can confirm…It is ridiculous the exchange rate they use. I lost almost 50 euros withdrawing from this ATM. Won’t do it never again for sure.

    • Unfortunately it happened to us too. We withdrew 100 Eur in Porto with a european card and we have paid EUR 3, 95 fee.

      • ATM fees are illegal in Portugal for debit withdrawals. You either accepted DCC, used a credit card or got hit by some software bug, in which case should have gone to the police

  33. Did any one had an situation like I did? I saw the conversion rate and obviously pressed to not to go ahead and they still took 550€ from my account??? With no lonely going out of the ATM.. Ringing the fraud team of my bank they told me it should be back on my account 24-48h but I’m unsure will that be the case as it’s already 48h after. Although it is a weekend.. Anyone in same situation before?

    • Hi Lucas, could you confirm if you ever received the money back? A similar thing has happened to my partner.. Thank you

  34. I have set up a Facebook page in a hope to warn more people. I hope it’s ok to share it here?

    https://m.facebook.com/euronetgroup/

  35. I fell for it too, in Bordeaux airport France. Thank you for this article Claus, at least I am informed and won’t get caught another time.

  36. Unfortunately the only ATM’s in Kraków Airport are EuroNet. The fee was 18 złoty (approx. $5 USD) for a 300 złoty withdrawal declining their conversion rate. Needed złoty for cash only bus service, so the saving compared to the 80 złoty Airport Taxi was worth it for us. Seems like this fee was conservative compared to others, but it cost me nothing to withdraw złoty from Bank Pekao. Fortunately we have learnt for future destinations to avoid these ATM’s.

  37. I am the idiot who has accepted their change in the ATM in Gdansk!
    They are legalized bandits!
    I was wrong about “Forex” in Sweden was worst!

  38. I had a terrible experience with the ATM of Euronet during my vacation in Krakow for New Year Eve. While I was waiting for cash, the ATM had just become out of order without given to me. Then I checked my online bank and, unfortunately, the transaction for money withdrawal was completed. So, I called to their customer support line and asked for anybody who speaks English to solve my problem. But the operator just kept yieling at me in Polish, without even listening and hang up on me then. After that, I asked the receptionist in my hotel to call to their line and try to speak with them in Polish, so, at first, they were tryingto convienne her that despite the fact the money weren’t given to me, there is no transaction. But she explained them that I did have a transaction for a money withdrawal. So, they promised that the money will be returned to my bank account soon. But it’s 3 weeks already since that terrible situation happened. I even called to my local bank at home and also let them know about the situation. At least they showed they really cared and promised to do all the best from their side. Hope, this problem will be solved soon! But, I will never, ever, use Euronet’s ATM again! They not only charge top commission, but giving you terrible experience on vacation without even try to solve your problem!

  39. An interesting article snd comments. However it does seem as quite a few people have gone for Dynamic currency conversion, which is a rip off on any machine. Can anyone tell me if they have used a TransferWise card loaded with Euros in a Euronet machine. Using the left hand button which apparently is without conversion. The charge should show up within your account after a few days. If not I will have to experiment myself. I like the idea of being able to get 400€ instead of 200, but dislike the idea of being ripped off to prove a point. I’m in Portugal.

    • You get ripped off, even if you are not using the Dynamic currency conversion. Dynamic currency conversion is on almost all ATM’s these days and you should of course stay away from that. I have also mentioned that in another blog post. But Euronet digs a lot further in to your pocket with their scammer ATM’s.

      • ATM fees are not legal in Portugal for debit withdrawals. Just don’t use a credit card or accept DCC and you won’t pay a cent!

        • Filipe, you have any reference to a law that prohibits ATM fees? Just paid 3.95€ (20%) fee for a 20€ withdrawal (refusing conversions).
          Like to file a police report.

  40. Just be aware they are all over in Lisbon. Just payed on the exchange rate an extra 25 Euro compare to the current standard rate, just on 150 €. Even was advised form the tourist guide to use this ATM! What a rip off and doubtful advice from the guide! Very unfortunate to see this happening! Can only agree with all the other comments, stay away from this ATM’s!!!

    • ATM fees are illegal in Portugal for debit withdrawals. You either accepted DCC, used a credit card or got hit by some software bug, in which case should have gone to the police

  41. yeah, I have a debit card in EUR, however issued by Polish bank. When tried to withdraw money on Euronet on Malta, they asked me if I would like to convert let’s the amount to EUR. So it means that I had funds in EUR, they wanted to exchange EUR to PLN, just to exchange PLN to EUR. Stupid.

  42. Hye… We got into same situation.

    We tried to withdraw 150 Euro from Euronet … But at the end money didn’t come .. we kept waiting… machine was making sound and displaying” collect cash” and we were waiting for cash to come out of machine …. Nothing happened… No money no receipt … NOTHING…. and after 2 mins ATM displayed that you have not collected money we have retracted cash…. and now my money is deducted.

    Anybody got into same situation??? What did you do????

  43. Take a look at options in your own country first. For example from the US I use a Schwab Bank checking account (current account for others). Their deal is no ATM fees and no foreign transaction fees. Even though the ATM will charge you a fee it is ALWAYS restored on the month end balance. That’s zero ATM fee. And for improved security always use a bank ATM.

  44. I must have been lucky; I used a Euronet machine at the Ukrainian/polish border and I paid no extra charges or exchange fees, just my local bank 1% currency exchange fee, which was OK. Not sure if it helped that it was issued from Swedish bank debit bank card. This was a couple of years ago. Normally I use proper bank ATM’s but at the border this was the only machine present.

    • Couple of years ago was ok. We could select “without conversion” and our bank would do the conversion using their rate without additional charges. But not anymore. Now there is a “transaction fee”. Even if you select “without conversion”, you’ll still have to pay high transaction fee. I also use Swedish bank card.

  45. Hi all,

    Just my two cents … I used one of their ATMs in Malta (Marsaskala) as there was none around and got ripped off with 25 Euros. Had no issues with Bank of Valetta so use them instead if you go to Malta.

  46. FWIW, they’re not the only company with stand-alone ATM’s. Can’t think of the names at the moment, but I swear I’ve seen other non-Euronet stand-alone ATM’s around Europe.

    Whatever they’re called, if they’re not associated with a bank (and a quick Google search can confirm it), steer clear.

  47. Thankyou so much for this information. Unfortunately, in Greece too Euronet ATMs are everywhere. We had to make a withdrawal from one of their ATMs and did lose a substantial amount.

  48. Thank you for this, Claus. I was just checking my receipts from a holiday stay in Rome, Italy, in February, and noticed some extraordinary withdrawels in terms of really bad changing rates. One of them found place on the city’s main airport, Fiumicino, where I certainly did not expect any scam. Now I know better. The scam (and Euronet’s dirty business idea) is that Euronet makes you use your domestic valuta as transaction currency, and not the local valuta, as most others ATMs do. Then they can set their own changing rate, which is really indecent and far higher than the cardholder’s bank would have used if the transaction currency had been the local one. I cannot understand that this is legal.

  49. Stephanie Eiksjo

    Thank you Claus.
    I found out the hard way as well! I used one of their ATM machines in a very touristic place in Cyprus, called Omodos.
    I asked for €800 and not only I didn’t get any money I was also charged commission fees!
    Now three weeks later and after several phone calls I still haven’t got my money back! My bank has done all the necessary procedures so that the money would be returned to me, but Euronet has other ideas.
    I will never use their ATMs ever again and I will be telling everybody I know to keep away from them!

  50. Traveller from Ireland

    I feel very sorry for those of you who have been ripped off, but it seems most of you are from outside the Euro area?

    There are EU laws which forbid companies from charging for a withdrawal from a Euro bank account in another Eurozone country. I don’t see how they could be circumventing this and be allowed to trade?

    • Dan Wisniowicz

      Just just this ATM in Barcelona on La Rambla. My card got taken due to their faulty machine. When I called they said that I can’t get it back since I am not the owner of my debit card only my bank is. We are on vacation and it is huge trouble for us to have this issue. I called them 3 times and was told that manager will call me within hour, needles to say nobody called. This company is TOTAL rip off. DO NOT USE IT. I will be reporting it to American authorities since it is american company.

    • You are right for eurozone, In my case my official currency is EUR and if I try to wothdraw in Croatia or Hungry, the fee applies, since these countries are not in eurozone… eurozone is not europe, ot is only zone where eur is official currency

  51. Had the same issue in Portugal this weekend, declined the exchange rate and my card came back out – no money followed. Next thing I know they have taken £171 from my account. Spoke to the bank and they are investigating, should hear back in 3-5 working days. Looking at another blog, someone else mentioned that they still charge even if you decline! Will let you know the outcome with the bank

    • ATM fees are illegal in Portugal for debit withdrawals. You either accepted DCC, used a credit card or got hit by some software bug, in which case should have gone to the police

  52. People need to spray in red paint ‘SCAM – DO NOT USE’ across the machines.

  53. I used this Euronet ATM machine in Netherlands. Little did I know that I had to pay 12% markup fee. I withdrew 1000 euro and had to pay 120 euro which was completely ridiculous. DO NOT USE THESE ATMs anywhere.

  54. Man I wish I had googled this before using the Euronet atm today in Rome. I tried a bank atm first but there was an error. In the evening we were out of money and I couldn’t find a bank anywhere so I finally used one of these ubiquitous machines (I had passed at least ten of them while traipsing around Rome today). I lost 24 euros to their “markup” fee. I tried to back out of the transaction once I saw that. But there was no way to back up or cancel the transaction. Expensive lesson learned. I’ve NEVER paid a markup at any (real) ATM in all my travels. This is such a scam.

  55. Starling Dent

    Have recently returned from Split, Croatia I too was a victim of Euronet’s fraudulent practices. Took out an amount equivalent to Euros 200 and was charged Euros 30 in administration charges plus a higher exchange rate. There was no pre-warning of how much I would be charged in administration costs nor even the exchange rate they would be using. The only thing I was asked was whether I agreed to proceed with the transaction.There was no choice or option to cancel the conversion so I went ahead, assuming that it would be roughly the same as other machines I had used at the airport upon arrival, .As far as I’m concerned, they’re nothing but a bunch of frauds.I hope that Euronet ATM quickly go bankrupt and that all their staff come face to face with themselves in this life and that they rot in hell!

  56. Euronet ATM in Greece just withheld my wife’s card, and terrible byrocracy to get it back. Don’t recommend Euronet ATMs either!

  57. Just got ripped off in Milan for over 100 euros. I withdrew 1000 euros and suffered from their conversion scam (12‰) I complained but there is no one really their to talk too. Do share if familiar with an organization that can actually do something about that.

  58. Just landed at Edinburgh airport used the ATM in the baggage area and ended up paying $354 USD for 200 GBP! I was in a hurry and was ripped off. My fault, but these machines should be removed.

  59. I’m Canadian. Just got to Gdansk, Poland and like an idiot, withdrew 2500 Zliloty from a Euronet ATM. That came to $998 Canadian, not only with their 17 Zloty fee, but also THIRTEEN PERCENT commission! Their machines are everywhere in the old city. Obviously paying off local government.

  60. After being ripped off by a Euronet ATM in Budapest, Hungary for a large cash withdrawal in local Hungarian currency, I contacted Euronet via email explaining that the ATM deceptively appeared to be a bank ATM, did not explain that there was a large markeup to take out local currency.I received a nonsensical “we offer ‘dynamic currency transactions’ explanation of the transfer fee and 13% commission they calculated as an ‘exchange rate’ on my withdrawal. Nope..no refund.

    When I returned to Budapest from Rome the following week, I noticed Euronet ATMs in both the Rome and Budapest airports in the departure and arrivals areas. I placed prominent notes on both warning of the “13%+ commissions”, I also approached a few people using them as I waited to board my flight in Rome, and when I waited for my luggage in Budapest. ALL the people I approached thanked me for telling them, and told me they though it was a bank ATM.

    We need to have an army of people armed with a stock of large stickers to put on each Euronet ATM they see in Europe where they can prominently stick warnings of “13%+ commission”, “Non bank ATM”, and “large transaction fees” to warn fellow consumers. If you have been victimized by Euronet, or just plain don’t like seeing companies steal from the public, please join us help in spreading these stickers throughout Europe on all Euronet ATM machines.

  61. Bummer.. Got bitten by this scam. Thought of withdrawing some Euros before leaving Budapest to Vienna. All the ATMS I approached were giving out HUFs. Seeing this one giving out euros threw me completely off guard and only when I saw the conversion rate much later, I saw the 12-15% markup.

    There has to be a law to mark them as non-bank ATMs. Such a rip-off!

  62. Conmen without masks
    Just needed some Euro’s in Ardara Donegal at ATM (Euronet) never again. It needs a sign above it, official or unofficial SCAM
    I got €150 cost £148.62 markup 12% there must be a way of stopping this ripoff

  63. Got scammed at Rome Airport …91 euro on 600 withdrawl

  64. THIS IS A REQUEST: Will some lawyer or legally savvy person please initiate serious action against Euronet to stop them from financially abusing the unsuspecting public all over the world? As an American (who also got ripped off) I am ashamed this scam originates from the US.

  65. Right from their website. Favorable terms, I bet.
    At Euronet, we’ve refined our ATM offering over the years to ensure our merchants and their customers are receiving maximum benefit from every cash machine we install. Whether you’re a retailer, airport, or in any other sector, if providing a top level service to your customers is a priority, there’s a Euronet solution to fit your needs. Best of all, as a merchant, you will enjoy market leading business terms, new revenue streams and improved customer service! Our ATM service includes filling the ATM with cash meaning once it’s installed, you can sit back, relax and watch the ATM attract passers-by into your business.

  66. Got scammed in Prague, 150usd for a 900usd withdrawal.

  67. Agree, they charged me 41 Euros for 200 Euro with drawl.

  68. Jeanette Krokus

    Just happened to me in Capri. I didn’t mind the ATM fee but I declined the conversion and they went ahead and did it anyway. Unfortunately Capital One bank says they can’t do anything to help me.

    ‘We finished researching your dispute(s). Based on the information we have, your claim(s) has been denied because we didnt find any errors after checking our records.

    If you withdraw funds in a foreign currency, take note of the following:

    – Conversion rates fluctuate on a daily basis

    – Customers may be charged a fee by the owner of the ATM

    – Capital One does not reimburse currency conversion or other transaction fees charged by the ATM owner for transactions you authorize

    You can still try to resolve this directly with the merchant.’

    How can I follow up with a scam company? Very disappointed in Capital One.

  69. We used a Euronet ATM in Lisbon and were hit with a 12% fee in addition to the use exchange fee. It showed all of the money services; Cirrus, Plus etc. that you’d expect of a multibank that in the past meant a nominal (1%) exchange charge to against our US ATM card. We withdrew 300 euro and were charged a 35 euro fee as if charging a credit card. We noticed these machines throughout Lisbon, the Lisbon airport and Porto. By contrast we withdraw funds multiple times from another MultiBanco and were charged the nominal fee (1%). What are we missing?

    • ATM fees are illegal in Portugal for debit withdrawals. You either accepted DCC, used a credit card or got hit by some software bug, in which case should have gone to the police

  70. Just got back from Greece where I’ve been ripped off by Euronet. Been withdrawing 200 euro at their ATM and I have account in Euro, but:
    – had to pay 3,95 Euro fee to Euronet
    – somehow the money was not taken from my Euro account, but from main account in PLN – Euronet states I have chosen to settle this transaction in PLN, which is not true, I was not given any option during the process
    – conversion rate used by Euronet is 12% higher than at my bank

    Just placed a compaint at my bank, we’ll see how they handle this.
    Stay away from Euronet

  71. Fiona Buckley

    I used a Euronet machine in Cavtat Croatia located outside the local supermarket and got stiffed with a 13% markup! You live and learn Grrrr! Robbery

  72. Richard Brownlee

    Scammed in Postira, Croatia. Only ATM I could see. Was just given the choice of accept/not accept, hard to think quickly when you have someone behind you waiting to use the ATM. Don’t know why countries allow these fraudsters to operate, not good for their tourist industry. At least it was only a small amount, so I know to avoid in future.

  73. Shocked and surprised to be charged 12 per cent commission on the transaction in Greece.I wish it was a small amount. Would not expect this from an ATM. I guess it’s an experience!
    Thanks for the website. Too late for me, but stay focussed. Well done.

  74. Thx m8.your article saved me money.first time I have seen this ATM, but haven’t traveled much past years.got suspicious and googled them.will sure to spread word about their malicious practice

  75. Travelex Netherlands is a ripoff. It charges an ATM fee which it informs you in advance. However, the exchange rate is not mentioned until after the withdrawal on the receipt. I was charged $30. more than I should have been for my withdrawal.

  76. Wish I’d done my research and seen this warning. But the above comments are correct – Euronet looks like an ATM but charges 13% commission plus a transaction fee. After starting the exchange I requested the machine to quit – it processed the transaction anyway. Don’t start anything on a Euronet machine in the Prague Airport even though they are the first exchange machines you will see. In Budapest, Hungary Euronet machines have the same 13% commission plus exchange fee. Pass the word to anyone you know traveling.

  77. Do not Deal with the Company Called “EZ cash Ltd” (https://www.ezcash.me.uk/) which registered under the principals of Euronet Worldwide in 2019. They are professional scammers . Many customers had lost huge amount of money dealing with EZ cash Ltd in UK which operate under Euronet.

  78. Unfortunately I used one then found out! Total robbery. Charged me £606 for € 600 plus a £12 machine fee. Cost me over £70 in losses. I am now giving them as much bad publicity as possible including putting up warnings in hotels I visit and on their cash machines. Bandits!

  79. I’ve just come back from 2 weeks of travelling in Poland and these machines are EVERYWHERE there, in both touristy and non-touristy places. I looked at a lot of ATMs and would estimate that 80% of the machines I saw were Euronet. I didn’t use any, but nearly did on arrival at Gdansk Airport (where ALL of the machines were Euronet as far as I could see) before noticing the very steep withdrawal fee, so cancelled the transaction before withdrawing anything.

    One other thing to note is that although some machines have the name of a bank or a different company (like Skok) above them in big letters which you can see from a good distance away, when you get close to the machine, you will notice a small Euronet logo just above the screen. So even machines that don’t initially appear to be Euronet machines actually are.

  80. I used one of these machines in Rome and it prompted me to continue or cancel when it displayed the 10% fee. I canceled the charge and never received the $. Apparenly the charge went through and Im fighting it with my bank. Never use these ATMs.

  81. To be honest, it is something that everyone is tired off. It is warning and thank you much for informing us. I just wanted to know if the money they charge is different in other European nations or it remains the same.

  82. We were ripped off today in Ayia Napa,Cyprus. Will never ever use these ATM- machines again!

  83. Thank you so much for the written and i see this news post in youtube also. Now i confirm not to use euronet for any trnsaction.
    Thanks again

  84. You just saved me from getting ripped off.

    While i was trying to withdrawal some money in the Philippines,
    on the last processing page that was showing me about the money conversion, i stopped and googled it cause the conversion rate was a joke.
    And watching just the title of your post on the searched page, i put out my card and went for a proper bank ATM.

    Thank you sooo much !!

  85. I was “scammed” by a Euronet ATM at Copenhagen airport. Euronet must have a monopoly on ATMs at that airport as I was not able to find any true bank ATMs. I was in a rush so did not verify if the exchange rate was good or bad, so I got reamed by 10 percent !!!

    I can’t believe that a country such as Denmark would allow such a company to setup their ATMs anywhere in Denmark, much less at the airport.

  86. 36% on the exchange + 2.5% fee + whatever your bank charges.

  87. Euronet is a company that is listed in the stock market. If you would have bought some of their shares you would be happy when ever someone uses their machines. There is always a winner in the game.

  88. Just pay 127 euros to withdraw 1000 euro plus 3,95 fee!!! Wondering if this is legal and why they allowed it to be happened?

  89. l was ripped off in Gran Canaria last week. The wording is very misleading and not at all clear. Reputable banks provide a much clearer option to choose your billing currency. When using an ATM on a street or shopping mall you don’t have the luxury of time to decipher their poor worded/confusing screen messages.
    Its now not a surprise to see all the other forums and complaints against this company.
    Euronets get out excuse is, they claim they display the rates amounts, but you still don’t know what currency you will be billed in. It is not at all clear! The use of the word “decline” on their screen message is also very misleading.
    I am going to look into see how this can be raised to EU and UK Regulatory Authorities to investigate.

  90. Hi I am carrying a foreign exchange card and travelling to dublin Ireland.
    The card is charged with euros and i used a euronet ATM to withdraw 1500 euros .
    According to the rules I should be charged 4 euros for the transaction but to my surprise I have been charged with 257 euros as the transaction fee .
    I feel cheated and disappointed. Really don’t know what to do.
    Euronet bank has no branch in Ireland . I’ve loged a complaint with their customer care but theres no response.

  91. Hi
    Had just the same problem with Euro et ATM in Porto at the campanha railways station
    Was using my starling card twin account Euro and Pounds and accepted to have to pay a fee for the transaction as I needed the money and was shocked when I discovered they have charged the transaction in Pounds £210.40 for 200€…
    So Euronet said that I had accepted the transaction … To pay a fee over my Euro account but not for having the euro amount taken from my Starling account
    I think Euronet should be banned for doing that sort of business
    More alarming is that it seems that there are located in places where you have absolutely no other cash machine choices … ATM has the monopole of the rip off !
    Their customer service is a joke too
    Poor USA (Euronet Texas) just good at doing bad business and pretending to be the best …

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  93. To all unexperienced travelers, drunks, midnight cash seekers … even in your heart breaking situation before using any ATM or exchange service, watch the exchange rate, watch the commissions fees and read what ATM says carefully … you can also pre-check on your phone app like xe.com what is the regular exchange rate to avoid surprise. Assuming you are able to so. Regarding the EuroATM, let see what pandemic will do with their business model. Good luck and safe and happy traveling to all.

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