We get several people a day from the US finding this site because they are searching on Google for some of the following things:
“Can I use American Debit Cards in Ireland?”
“What are the charges for using an ATM in Ireland”
“What is the Currency in Ireland”
“Exchanging Dollars for Euro in Ireland”
“Fees for using a debit card in Europe”
- All US issued Visa Debit cards and Mastercard Debit cards should work in ATMs in Ireland.
- All US issued Visa Debit cards and Mastercard Debit cards can be used to spend in stores in Ireland.
- AMEX and Discover are not as widely accepted in Ireland or other European countries
Can I use American Debit Cards in Ireland?”
All Irish debit and credit cards arel chip and PIN, but some American cards are still chip and signature and a few still don’t even have chips, but may still be usable at Irish ATMs.
If you’re unable to use your chip-less debit or cedit card at an Irish ATM, most shops in Ireland should still be able to accept it. You’ll just have to swipe and sign a receipt instead of entering a PIN.
What Are The Charges for Using a US issued Debit Card at an ATM in Ireland
There are ATMs on the main streets of every town and city in Ireland, some outside banks and some inside (during opening hours). In Ireland, they are also called “Cashpoints” or sometimes “Pass Machines”.
The Dollar/Euro exchange rate used at an ATM will be determined by your card provider (Visa/Mastercard) – and will usually be pretty close to the interbank rate.
Your bank in the USA may charge you transaction fees – sometimes as much as $5 plus 3% of the transaction.
For example :
Chase Bank will charge $5 for a foreign ATM transaction plus 3% of the value of the withdrawal.
Bank of America will also charge $5 and 3% for getting out Euros from an Irish ATM
(Figures correct 2023)
The Wise Debit Card – an Alternative to your US Bank card when Spending Overseas
Wise (Formerly TransferWise has been operating for over 11 years.
Wise now has more than 5 million customers and they transact more than $4 billion dollars every month. They are registered with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a money service business.
With the Wise “multi-currency account ” and the Wise debit Mastercard you can spend all around the world with little or no foreign transaction fees. That includes online spending too.
ATM withdrawals with the Wise card outside the US are free on the first $250 in a month – then they charge 2%.
Comparison of Fees when withdrawing the equivalent of $250 using a US debit card in Ireland
- Chase Total Checking: $12.50
- Citibank Simple Checking: $10.00
- HSBC Choice Checking: $10.00
- Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: $12.50
- Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking: $12.50
- Wise debit Mastercard: $0 ($5 if you have already withdrawn $250)
The ATMs operated by banks in Ireland will not currently charge you any fee for using American Debit Cards . However, some of the private ATMs inside shops and hotels may charge you a fee – usually in the region of €2. The ATM will display a message if there is going to be a fee. (This fee is for everyone, not just foreign cards.)
Fees When Purchasing in Euros with a US Debit Card.
The vast majority of Irish retailers, hotels and restaurants will accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards from the USA.
Most US bank cards will typically charge you a foreign transaction fee of 3% of the dollar amount.
Example Fees when spending the Euro equivalent of $500 with a US debit card in Ireland
- Wise Multi-Currency Account : $2.09
- Chase Total Checking: $15
- Citibank Simple Checking: $15
- HSBC Choice Checking: $15
- Santander (4%): $20
- Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: $15
- Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking: $15
That’s a saving of at least $12.91 on each $500 transaction if you used the Wise card.
Also – as an added bonus the exchange rate used by Wise will always be slightly better than the Visa or Mastercard rate.
Find out more about Wise here
(Figures from 2022)
Tip: When paying by US card in Ireland – if the hotel or retailer asks you if you want to pay in US Dollars or Euros … you should always choose Euros (or the local currency)
If you choose to pay in US Dollars – the retailer or hotel will apply their own conversion rate which will usually be a lot worse than the rate used by your card provider.
More information here for charges for Irish residents using ATMs abroad
More here on ATM charges in Ireland for Irish residents
If you are living in the USA and thinking of moving to Ireland – you might be interested in our page about the bestway to Transfer Money from the USA to Ireland
Chase Bank Charges
Chipless Cards on the Way Out
The standard magnetic strip cards typically used in the U.S. are based on a 50-year-old technology.
Newer “EMV” chip cards, however, have been used in Europe since 1994 as an attempt to battle the high rates of fraud and counterfeiting.
EMV stands for Europay/MasterCard/Visa
FAQs
Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted. However, you may have a little more trouble using a Diner's Club card, and Discover isn't often accepted in Ireland.
Will I get charged for using my debit card in Ireland? ›
Fees will still be charged but at a lower rate to credit cards. Ireland uses a “chip and pin” system for debit and credit card transactions. Retailers may still accept swipe cards but please note this is not always guaranteed. It is recommended that you notify your bank of your travel plans prior to your departure.
Is it better to use cash or card in Ireland? ›
The choice between cash and card boils down to personal preference. ATM cash machines are not prevalent in some of the off the beaten track destinations we travel to. For this reason, its best to avoid the need to visit an ATM every day of your tour. However, carrying large amounts of cash is inadvisable too.
Can I use my American debit card internationally? ›
Yes, cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries. If you're planning to travel and want to use your card, let us know. This will help reduce declined transactions on your trip. Knowing your trip details also helps us protect you from fraud.
Can I use my Wells Fargo debit card in Ireland? ›
Yes. Wells Fargo debit cards and credit cards can be used internationally anywhere the card network is accepted.
Do American debit cards work in Ireland? ›
Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted. However, you may have a little more trouble using a Diner's Club card, and Discover isn't often accepted in Ireland.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Ireland? ›
The Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland. Because most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, you don't need to take much cash. In fact, you don't really need to get Euros before you leave the US (unless you really want to).
Should I tip in Ireland? ›
😋 Do I Tip in Irish Restaurants? It's normal to leave between 10-15% of your bill as a tip after dining in Irish restaurants, bistros, cafés or pubs. Leaving a tip higher than 15% of your bill after dining in Ireland is really only given for outstanding service.
How much cash should I take to Ireland for a week? ›
We recommend bringing a small amount of cash in euros to Ireland with you. Around €300 euro should be more than enough to get you through your first days in Dublin.
Should you get euros before traveling? ›
It's completely up to you whether you exchange money before you travel to Europe, or get your euros when you arrive. The only thing to bear in mind is that you have more control and more choice if you do it in advance.
If you agree, the merchant will use the conversion rate provided by its DCC service provider. If you refuse, your payment network, such as Visa or Mastercard, will convert the currency, and you'll see the conversion on your statement in U.S. dollars.
Which debit card has no foreign transaction fee? ›
Discover® Bank
Discover doesn't charge foreign ATM network or foreign transaction fees. But Discover card acceptance can be limited outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean nations. With an HSBC Premier Checking account, customers pay no foreign transaction fees. HSBC also has a worldwide network of ATMs.
Can I swipe my debit card internationally? ›
When a debit and credit card is used outside India, the payment will mostly be in a foreign currency. On the card, the value of the transaction gets converted from the rupee to the foreign currency concerned. This attracts a forex conversion fee — usually up to 3.5% — for each transaction.
How to avoid ATM fees in Ireland? ›
There are a few ATMs that charge fees for extracting money in Ireland, but those are not connected to banks (think convenience stores or at the Dublin Airport). To avoid fees, seek out ATMs on the facades of brick and mortar banks.
How much is the debit card fee in Ireland? ›
Debit Cards: Government Stamp Duty will be charged at a rate of €0.12 per ATM transaction. Government Stamp Duty only applies to ATM transactions carried out within Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland).
How do I tell Wells Fargo I'm going out of the country? ›
Notifying Your Card Company
Wells Fargo, for one, recommends calling to speak with a customer service representative or adding your travel plan via your online account or mobile app. Citizens Bank, U.S. Bank, Citi and PNC Bank are among other banks that accept travel notifications online.
How do I avoid bank charges in Ireland? ›
Don't overpay on your current account fees. Follow these simple steps and you'll have no nasty surprises when your quarterly statement arrives.
- Avoid ATMs when you can. ...
- Use contactless where possible. ...
- Do as much of your banking online as possible. ...
- Avoid cheques. ...
- Look at the non-traditional digital banks like N26 and Revolut.
There may be additional charges from cash machines or banks when you withdraw money abroad or in a foreign currency. Check before you make the transaction.
Can I be charged a fee for using my debit card? ›
There may be fees for using your debit card. Examples: Some banks charge a fee if you enter a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to conduct a transaction instead of signing your name. You may trigger a fee if you overdraw your account using your debit card, just as you would if you "bounced" a check.
Do debit cards charge international fees? ›
Foreign transaction fee: Sometimes called a currency conversion fee, this applies for foreign transactions made with a debit card. It usually ranges from 1% to 3% of the purchase amount. Foreign transaction fees for credit cards work similarly.
