It would seem a trivial question - where and how to withdraw money from bank cards in Germany? However, there are several key nuances here too.
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The main point is from which cards? With giro card or VISA / Mastercard?
While the latter are more versatile and offer worldwide withdrawal options, the Girocard has a number of small advantages of its own in Germany.
Current information about the possibilities of withdrawing funds in Germany from Russian cards
In Germany you can withdraw cash from Russian payment system cards UnionPay of these banks (19.09.2023):
- Gazprombank
- Russian standard
- PrimSotsBank
It is possible to withdraw cash at Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, and Reisebank ATMs. ATMs operate without commission; the conditions of the bank that issued the UnionPay card may vary.
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1. Withdrawing money from ATMs of your issuing bank.
What cards: Girocard, Visa, Mastercard.
The easiest and most obvious way. Withdrawing money is free (sometimes there are certain limits). The absolute leader in the number of ATMs is Sparkasse (an analogue of Sberbank in Russia). Other banks have fewer ATMs.
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What cards: Girocard, Visa, Mastercard.
The easiest and most obvious way. Withdrawing money is free (sometimes there are certain limits). The absolute leader in the number of ATMs is Sparkasse (an analogue of Sberbank in Russia). Other banks have fewer ATMs.
2. Free withdrawal of money from partner ATMs.
What cards: Girocard
All banks, except Sparkasse, have fewer ATMs. And often they are forced to unite into partner networks to provide more or less quality coverage. An example of such a combination is Cash Group - 9'000 ATMs, which includes:
🔹Commerzbank
🔹 Deutsche Bank
🔹 HypoVereinsbank
🔹 Postbank
In these banks, you can withdraw money from the Girocard free of charge.
For Visa / Mastercard, this condition no longer works, it will be paid.
3. Free withdrawal in stores
What cards: Girocard
When purchasing in a store (some from 5 euros, others from 10 to 20 euros), when paying at the checkout with a Girocard, you can ask the cashier to also give out part of the money in cash (Geld abheben). The amount is small, up to 200 euros, but this is a convenient opportunity to get cash (and in Germany you often need it) if there is no ATM nearby.
This is not possible in all stores, but only in a number of large chains, which include:
🔹 Aldi Süd
🔹 DM
🔹 Edeka
🔹 Netto
🔹 REWE
Customers of Cash Group banks (see p. 2) can also withdraw money at 🔹 Shell gas stations. More than 1000 gas stations can already do this and their number is constantly growing.
4.Paid withdrawal from other people's ATMs
What cards: Girocard, Visa, Mastercard.
If you need money urgently, you can always withdraw it at any suitable ATM. However, it should be borne in mind that a transaction fee will be charged.
Private ATMs deserve a special mention Euronet or cashpoint (often found at airports, train stations, shopping centers).
These ATMs are not tied to a specific bank and always charge a certain (often higher than in bank ATMs) percentage for any operation, including checking your balance. They are recommended to be used only when absolutely necessary.
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