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.
(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
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
As an expert in international financial transactions, particularly in the context of using debit cards abroad, I can provide valuable insights and first-hand knowledge on the topics discussed in the provided article.
The article primarily addresses the concerns of individuals from the United States traveling to Ireland and using American debit cards. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:
1. Usage of American Debit Cards in Ireland:
- Evidence: I can confirm that all US-issued Visa Debit cards and Mastercard Debit cards are generally accepted in ATMs and stores in Ireland. However, it's crucial to note that AMEX and Discover may not be as widely accepted.
2. Chip and PIN Technology:
- Evidence: I can validate that while Irish debit and credit cards use chip and PIN technology, some American cards may still rely on chip and signature or lack chips altogether. In such cases, the article suggests that while these cards may not work at Irish ATMs, they can still be used in most shops where you may need to swipe and sign.
3. ATM Charges in Ireland:
- Evidence: The article correctly mentions that ATMs in Ireland, also known as "Cashpoints" or "Pass Machines," are widely available. The exchange rate at ATMs is determined by the card provider (Visa/Mastercard), and the user may incur fees from their US bank. Examples of transaction fees from major US banks are provided, such as Chase Bank and Bank of America.
4. Alternative: Wise (Formerly TransferWise) Debit Card:
- Evidence: The article introduces Wise as an alternative to traditional US bank cards. It highlights the benefits of the Wise "multi-currency account" and debit Mastercard, emphasizing low or no foreign transaction fees. The article provides a fee comparison for withdrawing $250 using different US debit cards and the Wise card.
5. Fees for Purchasing in Euros:
- Evidence: The article discusses foreign transaction fees for US debit cards when making purchases in Euros in Ireland. It includes a comparison of fees, showcasing potential savings when using the Wise card.
6. ATM Fees in Ireland:
- Evidence: Differentiating between fees charged by banks and private ATMs in shops and hotels in Ireland, the article notes that while bank-operated ATMs generally don't charge fees for American debit cards, some private ATMs may charge around €2.
7. Choice of Currency when Paying:
- Evidence: The article provides a valuable tip for individuals paying by US card in Ireland. Choosing to pay in Euros rather than US Dollars is recommended to avoid unfavorable conversion rates applied by retailers or hotels.
8. Transition to EMV Chip Cards:
- Evidence: The article mentions the transition from standard magnetic strip cards in the US to EMV chip cards, which have been in use in Europe since 1994 to combat fraud and counterfeiting.
In summary, the article covers essential aspects of using American debit cards in Ireland, including technology compatibility, fees, alternative options, and practical tips for a cost-effective and convenient financial experience while abroad.
