Difference between revisions of "Czechia/Banking/Cash"

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In Czechia, you can find many ATM / bank machines (Czech: ''bankomat'') that allow you to withdraw cash. Here is a list of things to remember, especially when you are using a foreign Visa or Mastercard (e.g. from your home country).  
 
In Czechia, you can find many ATM / bank machines (Czech: ''bankomat'') that allow you to withdraw cash. Here is a list of things to remember, especially when you are using a foreign Visa or Mastercard (e.g. from your home country).  
  
== Avoid Euronet machines / Which alternatives? ==
+
== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ==
  
ATMs from '''Euronet''' will try charge a fee of 100 CZK. So '''avoid them'''.
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=== Which ATMs should I avoid? ===
  
But there are cash machines from other banks that allow withdrawing without fees:
+
Avoid ATMs from
 +
 
 +
* Euronet
 +
* Unicredit Bank
 +
 
 +
They will charge an extra fee of 100 CZK or more.
 +
 
 +
=== Which ATMs are recommended?  ===
 +
 
 +
Cash machines of these banks allow withdrawing without extra fees:
  
 
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/csob+atm/@50.0785018,14.4403464,14z/data=!3m1!4b1 ČSOB]
 
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/csob+atm/@50.0785018,14.4403464,14z/data=!3m1!4b1 ČSOB]
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* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/kb+atm/@50.0785018,14.4403464,14z/data=!3m1!4b1 KB (Komerční banka)]
 
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/kb+atm/@50.0785018,14.4403464,14z/data=!3m1!4b1 KB (Komerční banka)]
  
== Decline conversion, Withdraw in CZK. ==
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=== Should I use currency conversion? ===
 +
 
 +
'''No.'''
  
 
Many ATMs (and sometimes even payment terminals in shops and restaurants) will offer you to convert the CZK into your home currency. For example, if you want to withdraw 1000 CZK, the machine will offer you
 
Many ATMs (and sometimes even payment terminals in shops and restaurants) will offer you to convert the CZK into your home currency. For example, if you want to withdraw 1000 CZK, the machine will offer you
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* or do the conversion and charge you with EUR
 
* or do the conversion and charge you with EUR
  
This is always a bad deal. The conversion rate that the ATM will apply is usually much worse than the one your bank will apply.
+
This is nearly always a bad deal. The conversion rate that the ATM will apply is usually much worse than the one your bank will apply.
  
 
So when asked, always pick '''Decline''' the conversion and '''pay / withdraw CZK'''.
 
So when asked, always pick '''Decline''' the conversion and '''pay / withdraw CZK'''.

Revision as of 14:59, 19 April 2022

In Czechia, you can find many ATM / bank machines (Czech: bankomat) that allow you to withdraw cash. Here is a list of things to remember, especially when you are using a foreign Visa or Mastercard (e.g. from your home country).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which ATMs should I avoid?

Avoid ATMs from

  • Euronet
  • Unicredit Bank

They will charge an extra fee of 100 CZK or more.

Which ATMs are recommended?

Cash machines of these banks allow withdrawing without extra fees:

Should I use currency conversion?

No.

Many ATMs (and sometimes even payment terminals in shops and restaurants) will offer you to convert the CZK into your home currency. For example, if you want to withdraw 1000 CZK, the machine will offer you

  • to either withdraw 1000 CZK and let your bank do the conversion
  • or do the conversion and charge you with EUR

This is nearly always a bad deal. The conversion rate that the ATM will apply is usually much worse than the one your bank will apply.

So when asked, always pick Decline the conversion and pay / withdraw CZK.

More