ATM Usage Fees Around the World and How They Work

ATM usage fees can be a significant expense for travelers, especially in countries with high fees. In the United States, for example, the average ATM fee is around $4.69, with some banks charging as much as $10.

Some banks, like Bank of America, charge a flat fee of $2.50 per transaction, while others, like Wells Fargo, charge a fee of $2.92 per transaction. These fees can add up quickly, especially for frequent travelers.

In some countries, like Japan, ATM fees are relatively low, with an average fee of just $1.50 per transaction. In contrast, countries like Australia and New Zealand have higher fees, with an average of around $5.50 per transaction.

Countries with ATM usage fees are often found in regions with high operational costs.

Many countries in South America, such as Brazil and Argentina, charge a fee for using an out-of-network ATM.

In some cases, the fee can be as high as 5% of the withdrawal amount, as seen in countries like Chile and Peru.

These fees can add up quickly, so it's essential to be aware of them when traveling abroad.

In Hong Kong, there are three main ATM networks: ETC, JETCO, and ÆON. Using an ATM from the same network as your card is free of charge.

ETC is used by HSBC and Hang Seng Bank, while JETCO is used by all remaining banks. You'll only pay service charges for out-of-network cards, which can cost between HKD$15 and HKD$30.

Some small banks may charge an extra fee when their customers use a different bank's ATM, but this is relatively rare.

Malaysia has a complex ATM usage fee system, but the good news is that basic ATM usage is free of charge.

Banks in Malaysia charge a fee of RM 8 to RM 24 annually for a normal savings account, but this fee is waived under the Basic Saving Account scheme.

Under the Malaysian Electronic Payment System (MEPS), users can withdraw cash from participating banks for a fee of RM 1 per withdrawal.

Users can also transfer their fund to another bank via IBFT (Instant Bank Fund Transfer) at a fee of RM 0.30 to RM 0.50 or via IBG (inter-bank giro) at RM 0.10.

MEPS users attempting to withdraw cash from HOUSe networks are subjected to a fee of RM 4 and vice versa.

Some banks in Malaysia allow cross-border cash withdrawals, but may charge a fee of up to RM 24 per withdrawal, depending on the kind of ATM network users choose.

If you're a frequent user, be aware that you're limited to only eight free cash withdrawals under the Basic Saving Account scheme, after which banks will charge a fee of RM 0.50 to RM 1 for every withdrawal until the following month.

In the Netherlands, cash withdrawals are generally free for debit card owners, both within the country and in the rest of the European Union.

You can withdraw up to €2,300 per cashpoint, which is a pretty high limit.

Withdrawing cash from another bank in the Netherlands is limited to once a day, and there's a lower limit per transaction.

This daily limit doesn't usually apply to withdrawals made outside the country.

ATM fees can be a significant cost when traveling abroad or using out-of-network ATMs. Bank of America charges a $2.50 fee for using an out-of-network ATM, while Ally Bank and Axos Bank do not charge any out-of-network fees.

Some banks reimburse ATM fees, which can be a lifesaver when traveling abroad. Ally Bank, for example, reimburses up to $10 per month in out-of-network ATM fees for its checking account customers. Axos Bank also offers unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements for its Rewards Checking, Cashback Checking, and Essential Checking accounts.

You can also choose a bank with a large network of ATMs to minimize out-of-network fees. Ally Bank, for instance, has over 43,000 in-network ATMs, making it easy to find a fee-free ATM.

Here's a breakdown of the ATM fees for some popular financial institutions:

Keep in mind that some banks may charge international transaction fees, which can range from 0.9% to 3% of the transaction amount. It's essential to check your bank's fees and policies before traveling abroad.

Online banks often partner with large networks like Allpoint or MoneyPass to provide free access to thousands of ATMs across the US.

You can still get charged for withdrawing funds or checking your balance at some ATMs, even if you're using a bank that's partnered with a large network.

ATM providers can charge you for either withdrawing funds or checking your balance, while others will let you check your balance for free but charge you for taking out cash.

The average surcharge for using an out-of-network ATM has climbed to a record high of $3.19 in 2024, with increases outnumbering decreases by a 4-to-1 margin.

In 61% of cases, your own bank will charge an out-of-network ATM fee, which averages $1.58 per transaction.

The combined total of the ATM owner's surcharge and your bank's out-of-network fee can reach a record high of $4.77 per transaction.

National banks tend to charge higher ATM fees compared to regional banks and online banks. In fact, most national banks charge out-of-network ATM fees, with Bank of America charging $2.50, BMO charging $3, and Chase charging $3 to $5.

Regional banks, on the other hand, charge lower ATM fees. For example, Golden 1 Credit Union charges $2, and Security Service Federal Credit Union charges $1.50. Some regional banks even offer free ATM transactions within a certain limit.

Online banks typically have the most lenient ATM fees. Many online banks don't charge out-of-network ATM fees, and some even refund fees charged by out-of-network providers. For example, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union doesn't charge out-of-network ATM fees, and Ally refunds up to $10 in ATM fees per month.

Keep in mind that these fees can vary depending on the bank and the specific account you have. It's always a good idea to check with your bank to see what fees apply to your account.

Average bank ATM fees have increased by 1.5 percent over the past year to an average of $4.73 per transaction, according to Bankrate's 2023 checking account and ATM fee study.

In 1998, the average combined ATM fee was $1.97, so fees have more than doubled since then.

Most brick-and-mortar banks charge fees for using out-of-network ATMs, with national banks tending to waive ATM fees on certain checking accounts or offer reimbursement up to a monthly limit.

Here's a breakdown of ATM fees at some major national banks:

Over the course of a year, fees for weekly ATM withdrawals from an out-of-network ATM would total about $245.

Using an out-of-network ATM can result in multiple fees, including a charge from your bank, which can be up to a few dollars.

The ATM provider may also charge you an additional fee, which can range from a few dollars to more. For example, if you're a Bank of America customer using a non-Bank of America ATM, you'd pay $5.50 total for withdrawing money, including the $2.50 fee from Bank of America and the $3 fee from the provider.

Some banks charge a higher fee for international ATM transactions, which can add up quickly. For instance, with Bank of America, you'd pay $5 to withdraw money from a foreign ATM, plus a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Using an out-of-network ATM can result in a total of $5.50 in fees, including $2.50 from your bank and $3 from the ATM provider.

Here's a breakdown of the typical fees you might incur when using an out-of-network ATM:

Bank ATM fees can be a real nuisance, but did you know that not all banks charge out-of-network ATM fees? Some banks have no ATM fees at all, or they'll even reimburse you for out-of-network fees.

If you're looking for a bank with no ATM fees, consider exploring online financial institutions, which are more likely to have no ATM fees and offer reimbursements for out-of-network fees through their standard checking accounts.

There are different types of bank ATM fees, including the ATM operator fee, also known as the surcharge, and your bank's out-of-network fee. The ATM operator fee is charged by the ATM owner to noncustomers using its ATMs, while your bank's out-of-network fee is charged when you use an ATM machine outside of your bank's network.

International transaction fees are another type of bank ATM fee, and they can add up quickly if you're traveling abroad. For example, Bank of America charges a 3 percent transaction fee for ATM withdrawals processed outside of the U.S.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of bank ATM fees:

It's worth noting that some banks will reimburse you for out-of-network fees, usually up to a certain limit. So, it's always a good idea to check with your bank to see if they have any fee-reimbursement policies in place.

In some cases, banks will also waive out-of-network fees, so it's worth exploring your options before switching banks or using an out-of-network ATM.

Minimum balance requirements to avoid interest charges are getting out of hand. The average minimum balance to avoid fees on interest checking accounts is now a record high of $10,210.

This is a 35 percent increase over the average of $7,550 in 2020, and a 7.5 percent average annual increase since Bankrate began tracking this data in 1998. The requirement to avoid fees is becoming increasingly steep.

The average monthly service fee for interest checking accounts is now $15.45, up 18 percent from last year's average of $8,684.