Withdrawing Euros from a UK ATM

euanovsky

I’m looking to get some euros. I’m aware it’s cheaper and easier to pay with a fx-free credit or debit card when I get there but I’m hoping to have some cash too. I know I can use some fee-free UK debit card to withdraw money from ATMs in Europe and get pretty much the Mastercard/Visa exchange rate with no loading or fees..

For the sake of argument, let’s say I want to get some Euros while in the UK. Is it possible to withdraw some Euros from a UK ATM with a UK debit card free of ATM charge or exchange loading?? I am aware there are some cash machines in London (e.g. ones in Canary Wharf that would let you withdraw Euros). This way I would get a better exchange rate (ideally, assuming no fx loading) than the best fx bureaus listed in the TravelMoneyMax tool.

A few specific questions:

I’m aware some Link ATMs let you withdraw Euros (https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/services/) but I cannot seem to be able to find the exchange rate info online. Are there any exchange loading on these machines?

Similarly for Raphaels bank (Euros on the Tube - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)) Interestingly enough these ATMs are not on the link website. I presume they use different network? Again there doesn’t seem to be exchange rate info online. Are there any exchange loading on these machines?

I have a First Direct debit card that doesn’t have an ATM charge or exchange loading, will I be able to withdraw Euros with this card (or any similar debit cards) in those cash machines in the UK that dispense Euros?

If withdrawing in the UK using Revolut, will I be able to withdraw fee-free from my UK account if my Euro account balance is 0? Or do I need to top up my Euro account first?

I am aware some debit cards (e.g. Virgin Money) don’t have an ATM charge if you withdraw Euros while physically in the EU but there is a charge if you withdraw or spend in Euros while in the UK.

Thanks a lot!

 

Brie

I don't know if any ATMs that allow EU withdrawal so always go for an FX place like Tesco or Sainsbury's wherever you have the appropriate discount card. Or wait till I'm in the EU and withdraw from an ATM there.

zagfles

I'm pretty sure the euro ATMs at UK airports force DCC on you (as you're in the UK I believe this is "legal"), and the rate is horrendous. I've read there are some obscure ATMs somewhere in London which don't. 

But why bother, why not just wait till you're abroad and withdraw then? Then you'll get the choice to decline DCC. There might be a charge but it'll be far better value than getting DCC imposed on you in the UK. Unless you manage to find some of the obscure ATMs in the UK which apparently don't impose DCC.

But why go out of your way, assuming you're travelling to the eurozone the airport will almost certainly have an ATM and if it doesn't you'll likely be able to pay for onwards transport by card and if all else fails just change a small amount of cash. 

FlimFlam01

you could always just go into M&S and get some Euro - will be a decent enough rate.

Ivrytwr3

Get a Revolut or Monzo card.

euanovsky

Thanks. I specifically wanted some cash before getting there. I can report back the link machine I tried today force me to take their exchange rate (which is abysmal). I will see if I can find a Raphael's machine to experiment on. 

strawb_shortcake

Can't you just go to a supermarket or M&S etc to get some euros? M&S was one of the better rates for high Street at €1.15:£1

katejo

euanovsky said:

I’m looking to get some euros. I’m aware it’s cheaper and easier to pay with a fx-free credit or debit card when I get there but I’m hoping to have some cash too. I know I can use some fee-free UK debit card to withdraw money from ATMs in Europe and get pretty much the Mastercard/Visa exchange rate with no loading or fees..

For the sake of argument, let’s say I want to get some Euros while in the UK. Is it possible to withdraw some Euros from a UK ATM with a UK debit card free of ATM charge or exchange loading?? I am aware there are some cash machines in London (e.g. ones in Canary Wharf that would let you withdraw Euros). This way I would get a better exchange rate (ideally, assuming no fx loading) than the best fx bureaus listed in the TravelMoneyMax tool.

A few specific questions:

I’m aware some Link ATMs let you withdraw Euros (https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/services/) but I cannot seem to be able to find the exchange rate info online. Are there any exchange loading on these machines?

Similarly for Raphaels bank (Euros on the Tube - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)) Interestingly enough these ATMs are not on the link website. I presume they use different network? Again there doesn’t seem to be exchange rate info online. Are there any exchange loading on these machines?

I have a First Direct debit card that doesn’t have an ATM charge or exchange loading, will I be able to withdraw Euros with this card (or any similar debit cards) in those cash machines in the UK that dispense Euros?

If withdrawing in the UK using Revolut, will I be able to withdraw fee-free from my UK account if my Euro account balance is 0? Or do I need to top up my Euro account first?

I am aware some debit cards (e.g. Virgin Money) don’t have an ATM charge if you withdraw Euros while physically in the EU but there is a charge if you withdraw or spend in Euros while in the UK.

Thanks a lot!

 

I went to withdraw Euros from an ATM at St Pancras station with a FD debit card but the rate displayed was poor. I cancelled it and bought my euros from an M & S currency place in a store. I commented to the guy about the poor rate at the machine and he said this was normal for all ATM's at the stations. can't answer your other questions. Will you actually need much cash? Depends which EU country you are going to.

eDicky

Are you flying from Stansted, Gatwick or Southend?

euanovsky

katejo said:

I went to withdraw Euros from an ATM at St Pancras station with a FD debit card but the rate displayed was poor. I cancelled it and bought my euros from an M & S currency place in a store. I commented to the guy about the poor rate at the machine and he said this was normal for all ATM's at the stations. can't answer your other questions. Will you actually need much cash? Depends which EU country you are going to.

The problem is I'm not going to a EU country and hence I'd like to take out some Euros in advance. 

eDicky said:

Are you flying from Stansted, Gatwick or Southend?

I'm flying out from Gatwick. 

zagfles

What country are you going to and why do you think you'll need Euros there if it's not their currency? Note that some countries may quote prices in EUR but don't actually take them and will want paying in local currency. Happens all the time when booking hotels etc in non euro-zone european countries. So Euros may be useless.