Ireland, a land of lush greenery, ancient castles, and lively culture, offers a warm welcome to travelers seeking the charm of the Emerald Isle. From the rugged cliffs of Moher and the scenic Ring of Kerry to the historic streets of Dublin and the traditional music of Galway, Ireland is a treasure trove of experiences. Navigating this enchanting country is made easier with a good understanding of the local currency, cash and ATMs in Ireland, and payment options. This guide will provide you with the financial insights needed to explore Ireland’s stunning landscapes and rich heritage with ease and confidence, immersing yourself in the captivating spirit of the Irish.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Ireland?
Ireland’s ATM network, with more than 3,000 machines, ensures easy cash withdrawal in urban areas nad one each in mid-sized towns. Please note – Ireland has 2 main cities – Dublin and Cork and all other areas are much smaller. So, in the countryside and islands, it’ll be hard to find them.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Every major town’s tourist streets,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Some corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main roads.
Best ATMs to use in Ireland for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Ireland are those owned by popular banks such as:
Bank of Ireland,
AIB, and
Permanent TSB.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards. Some international banks also have their ATMs in Ireland, namely:
Royal Bank of Scotland,
Barclays,
HSBC, and
Nationwide.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Ireland part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Ireland, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in EUR).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Ireland, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in EUR’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Ireland?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Ireland. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards, Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Ireland.
What are the ATM opening hours?
The availability of ATMs is usually 24/7. You can access majority of the standalone ATMs at all times. Some ATMs inside the malls or inside bank branches may be accessible only during business or mall opening hours.
What do they call ATMs in Ireland?
The words ‘ATM’ is commonly used, or signage displays the only bank name without the word ‘ATM’.
PIN type
ATMs in Ireland primarily accept 4-digit PINs. Some ATMs may accept longer PINs, but 4 digits are standard.
Also, many merchants used old machines which require a magnetic stripe on the card and not just a chip-and-pin card.
Languages at ATMs in Ireland
ATMs in Ireland offer English as the default option and occasionally Irish. If you’re not well versed with these languages, you can use Google Translate’s camera translation for live assistance. Keep in mind that these translations are not always accurate.
Do ATMs in Ireland work similarly as other countries?
Ireland’s ATMs feature a modern design and functionality, similar to those found in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. It’s important to note that some ATMs might take your card inside completely, so remember to collect it after your cash withdrawal.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Ireland?
ATMs in Ireland dispense only the official currency Euros (EUR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Ireland?
Majority of the ATMs in Ireland have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of as much as the card’s limit. Some ATMs allow to withdraw up to € 800 per transaction.
ATM Fees in Ireland?
There are many fee-free ATMs in Ireland. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Ireland do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Ireland as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Ireland – something every traveller handling cash in Ireland should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Ireland?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Ireland?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Ireland. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Ireland.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Ireland ATMs?
Typically, ATMs in Ireland are equipped with security features like cameras and guards, maintaining low crime rates in their vicinity. To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Ireland takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retrieve your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Ireland. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Ireland do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Ireland as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Ireland?
Yes. ATMs in Ireland typically accept credit cards from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and other countries.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Yes, there are about 15 Bitcoin ATMs in Ireland.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Ireland
Bank of America: None
Citibank: Nope
Barclays: Nope.
HSBC: No
Standard Chartered: None
