Belgium, a charming country in the heart of Europe, is known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, and as the headquarters of the European Union. From the picturesque canals of Bruges to the bustling streets of Brussels, Belgium offers a rich cultural experience. Navigating the financial landscape is crucial for a smooth trip, so it’s important to understand the local currency and cash, cash and ATMs in Belgium, and accepted payment options to enjoy all that Belgium has to offer without any monetary concerns.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Belgium?
Belgium is home to more than 5,500 ATMs, mainly thanks to Bancontact’s network, and you’ll find them in both cities and small towns. However, they are in action in remote areas.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major transport hubs, central markets, busy tourist streets, malls, and near banks.,
- Central Markets,
- Busy tourist streets,
- Malls,
- Near Banks
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports on islands,
- Bus stops in the area,
- The villages’ interiors,
- Hidden away in small towns, away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Belgium for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Belgium are those owned by popular banks such as:
Bancontact (a network of ATMs owned by 4 Belgium banks),
KBC,
Argenta,
Belfius,
Beobank, and
ING.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Belgium, 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 Belgium, 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 Belgium?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Belgium.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Belgium.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs are typically available 24/7. Standalone units offer round-the-clock access, while those within banks may only operate from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Belgium?
Word Cashpoint or Bancontact is widely used or ATM has signage has bank name with or without the word ATM. Cash Point / Bancontact is a shared ATM network owned by 4 banks – Belfius, ING, KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis
PIN type
ATMs in Belgium primarily accept 4-digit PINs. There may be some ATMs that accept longer PINs, but the majority are configured for 4 digits.
Languages at ATMs in Belgium
In Belgium, ATMs usually offer English and Dutch, with additional options like French, German, and Spanish. If these languages are unfamiliar, live translating the screen with Google Translate can help, though it’s wise to take it slowly to ensure accuracy.
If you’re not familiar with these languages, that’s totally fine. Try out Google Translate’s camera feature to instantly translate the text on your phone! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s best to take your time and not rush through the transaction.”
Do ATMs in Belgium work similarly as other countries?
Belgium’s ATMs are certainly state-of-the-art, mirroring the ones you’d find in the US, UK, Europe, and beyond. Be mindful to collect your card after use, as it may be fully inserted during the transaction process.
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 Belgium?
ATMs in Belgium dispense only the official currency Euro (EUR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Belgium?
ATMs in Belgium have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of € 600 to € 2,000. Some ATMs allow to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit, in one transaction.of LEK 75,000 per transaction or € 1,000. Some ATMs allows to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit, in one transaction.
ATM Fees in Belgium?
There are many fee-free ATMs in Belgium. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Belgium do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Belgium as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Belgium – something every traveller handling cash in Belgium 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 Belgium?
- 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 Belgium?
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 Belgium. 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 Belgium.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Belgium ATMs?
ATMs in Belgium are generally secure, with surveillance cameras and security personnel. The likelihood of ATM-related crime is low.
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 Belgium takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive 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, it is possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Belgium. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Belgium do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Belgium as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Belgium?
Yes. You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Belgium
Bitcoin ATMs?
Yes, there are around 10 Bitcoin ATMs in Belgium.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Belgium
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs in Belgium.
Citibank: Yes, there are about 5 Citibank ATMs in Belgium.
Barclays: No
HSBC: No, there are no HSBC ATMs in Belgium.
Standard Chartered: Nope.
