Lost my card to an ATM in Eritrea

Had a similar scare last year in Asmara. My debit card got trapped in a HCB ATM near the Cathedral. I panicked, but a local friend told me to wait until morning. Sure enough, the staff had it in their drawer and gave it back when I showed ID. Took about 18 hours. That said, I never tried again - I switched to cash for the rest of my trip. If you’re stuck now, definitely go early to the branch, not late afternoon, because banks here close quickly and won’t bother after hours.

Best bet is to go directly to the bank where the ATM is located. In Asmara, many ATMs belong to the Commercial Bank of Eritrea or Housing and Commerce Bank. If you explain, show ID, and be patient, sometimes they return the card during their scheduled ATM checks. But note: they may not prioritize foreigners. In the meantime, ask around at places like Sunshine Hotel or Crystal Hotel, they often know trusted exchange spots for USD or euros, so you won’t be left completely without money while waiting.

Bad news: if your card got swallowed in Eritrea, chances are slim you’ll see it again quickly. My Visa card was taken by a Commercial Bank of Eritrea ATM near Harnet Avenue, and they just said “machine not serviceable.” I never got it back. Luckily, I had backup USD and converted them at a hotel desk. Honestly, ATMs here are unreliable, and even when they work, they’re often limited to local cards. Always better to travel with physical cash because the banking system isn’t really set up for international travelers.

I had my MasterCard eaten by an ATM at the Housing and Commerce Bank branch in Asmara. The staff explained that most foreign cards don’t even work properly here, so the machine automatically holds them. They told me to bring my passport and I could collect it the next morning once the manager was in. It’s a slow process, but I did get it back. Don’t rely on ATMs in Eritrea in general though - almost everything is cash based. Bring enough US dollars or euros to exchange at official outlets.