Monaco, the glamorous city-state on the French Riviera, is renowned for its luxury lifestyle, yacht-lined harbors, and the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Whether you’re strolling through the old town of Monaco-Ville, attending the Grand Prix, or enjoying upscale dining in Larvotto, managing your money with ease is important. As part of the Eurozone, Monaco uses the euro and has excellent banking infrastructure, with widespread card acceptance throughout. This guide offers key insights on cash and ATMs in Monaco, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a seamless and indulgent travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Monaco?
Despite its small size, Monaco has excellent ATM coverage. Most machines are located in Monte Carlo, especially near the Casino de Monte-Carlo, Carré d’Or shopping district, and along Boulevard des Moulins. ATMs are operated by banks such as Banque Havilland, BNP Paribas Monaco, Société Générale, and Crédit Foncier de Monaco. They dispense euros (EUR) and typically support international debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro.
Tourist Spots:
You’ll find ATMs conveniently placed near key landmarks like the Prince’s Palace, Oceanographic Museum, and the Port Hercules marina. Major hotels and casinos also have in-lobby ATMs. While card usage is widely accepted across Monaco, having some cash is useful for taxis, small cafés, and parking meters.
Rural Areas:
Monaco has no rural zones – it’s a single urbanized principality. However, if you plan to cross into neighboring French towns like Beausoleil or Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, ATMs are also easily accessible just beyond the border.
Best ATMs to use in Monaco for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Monaco are those owned by popular banks such as:
- BNP Paribas,
- Banque Postale,
- Carrefour, and
- LCL.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Monaco, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in EUR).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in EUR’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Monaco?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Monaco. ATMs commonly accept all international cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Plus, Cirrus, CUP, JCB, Maestro, American Express, Diners, Discover cards.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Most ATMs in Monaco are open 24/7, especially around Monte Carlo, the casino district, and along the harbor. Machines inside hotels or shops may follow venue hours.
What are ATMs called in Monaco?
They are known as “Distributeurs automatiques” or “DAB” in French. In tourist areas, you’ll often also see “ATM” on signage. Major banks include CFM Indosuez and Société Générale.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs typically offer French and English. English is widely available, especially near tourist hotspots, and interfaces are easy to navigate.
You can use Google Translate App’s camera function to translate the ATM screen if you don’t understand these languages, but be cautious as the translations may not be entirely accurate.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Monaco?
All ATMs in Monaco dispense euros (EUR) only.
ATM withdrawal limits in Monaco?
ATMs in Monaco have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of EUR 500 to EUR 1,000 per transaction. Banks usually do not limit the number of transactions per day and do not usually have daily withdrawal limits so you can make multiple transactions if you need more cash.
ATM Fees in Monaco
There are many fee-free ATMs in Monaco. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Monaco do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Monaco. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Monaco
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Monaco?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Monaco. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Monaco. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
Monaco is known for its exceptional safety, with one of the highest police-to-resident ratios in the world. ATM-related crime is virtually nonexistent, and machines are widely available across Monte Carlo and tourist zones. That said, it’s still smart to use ATMs located in or near banks, luxury hotels, and shopping districts. Shield your PIN while entering it, avoid flashing large sums of cash, and monitor your account as a basic precaution. ATM usage here is highly secure, but staying vigilant is always wise.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Monaco takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Monaco?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Monaco. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Monaco do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Monaco?
Yes. ATMs in major cities in Monaco and international hotel chains accept many types of international cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are no Bitcoin ATMs currently operating in Monaco. While listings for potential installations have appeared, none have been confirmed as active locations in Monaco city to date.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Monaco
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate in Monaco.
- Barclays: Yes, Barclays Bank PLC operates branches and ATMs in Monaco.
- HSBC: No, retail HSBC presence was wound down in 2016 – now only private banking remains – no consumer ATMs.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not operate ATMs in Monaco.
