Finland is famous for its untouched nature, the Northern Lights, and innovative design. It has a perfect mix of old and new. From the busy streets of Helsinki to the peaceful beauty of Lapland, the country is very digital, and most places accept mobile payments. You should know how to use cash and ATMs whether you are in a Finnish sauna, the Arctic desert, or a beautiful lake. This guide tells you everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Finland, such as transfer fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and how to use your cards. This will make your trip easier.
Where can I find an ATM in Finland?
City Centres: There are a lot of ATMs in big towns like Helsinki, Espoo, and Tampere, especially in the city centres, shopping areas, and near bank branches. Otto and Nosto are the main ATM networks.
A lot of popular tourist spots, like the Helsinki Cathedral, the Suomenlinna Fortress, and Rovaniemi (known for Santa Claus Village), have ATMs close by. They are usually in shopping areas, transportation hubs, and hotels.
Rural Areas: It can be hard to find an ATM in smaller towns and more rural areas. When travelling outside of big cities, so bring enough cash with you.
Finnish banks are not part of the Global ATM Alliance or the All Points network.
Best ATMs to use in Finland for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Finland independent ATMs contracted by Finnish banks, namely Otto and Nosto.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Finland.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
Some ATMs in Finland may ask if you want to accept or decline the conversion.
- If you press Accept, the ATM will change your money at the rate that it sets. You will also have to pay the ATM an extra % fee for this service.
- If you choose Decline, the ATM will use the standard exchange rate for that bank or card (Visa, Master, etc.).
If you click Accept, Choose ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in EUR’ to avoid extra fees.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Finland?
Yes, there are a lot of ATMs that take debit and credit cards from other countries.
ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus, American Express and Diners and Discover cards but don’t usually accept others like JCB, UnionPay, and Rupay cards.
ATM specifics
Opening hours: ATMs in Finland, such as Nosto ATMs, are typically available 24/7.
Identifying an ATM: Look for the words ‘ATM’, ‘Otto’ or ‘Nosto’.
Language options: ATMs typically offer Finnish, Swedish, English as the primary languages. Some of them might also offer German, French, Spanish, Mandarin as other language options. If you’re not familiar with these languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy; but be careful as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs
ATMs dispense cash only in the local currency, Euro (EUR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Finland
ATMs in Finland have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of € 240 to € 400, depending on the combination of notes available at the ATM. ATMs typically do not have daily withdrawal limits so you can use the ATM multiple times if you need to withdraw more cash.
ATM Fees in Finland
There are no fee-free ATMs in Finland. ATMs in Finland charge ATM Fees of either € 5 per transaction or € 2 plus 10 c for every € 10 withdrawal.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Finland. These are:
1. ATM’s Currency Conversion Charges (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion so check your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Finland
- Use the 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 fee-free cards from your home country.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees
For more in-depth insights and alternative methods, check out our detailed article, Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs in Finland 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 Finland. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you get exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 100 + countries including Finland.
Safety at ATMs
Finland is known for its low crime rate, making it a safe destination for travelers. ATMs, locally referred to as Otto machines, are widely available in urban and rural areas. Incidents involving ATMs are rare. However, as a precaution, it’s advisable to use ATMs found in well-lit, populated areas, especially during nighttime. Always be aware of your surroundings and promptly secure your cash after withdrawal. Regularly checking your bank statements can help detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
ATMs in Finland do not usually take your whole card in during the transaction. You will be able to see your card, but the ATM will lock it during the transaction. Once the transaction is complete or cancelled, you will get your card back so the chances of the ATM taking your card are near impossible.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw free cash in Finland?
No, there are no fee-free ATMs in Finland. ATMs in Finland charge ATM Fees of either € 5 per transaction or € 2 plus 10 c for every € 10 withdrawal.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Yes. They do accept cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Finland.
Bitcoin ATMs
Finland has several Bitcoin ATMs, with notable installations in Helsinki and even in the northern region of Lapland. Bittimaatti opened the world’s northernmost cryptocurrency ATM near the skiing center Levi in Kittilä, Finland.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Finland
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not have ATMs.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not have ATMs.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs here.
