ATM swallowed my card in Hungary

I had my Visa also taken by an Erste Bank ATM in Debrecen late on Friday. When I went to the branch on Monday, they told me it had already been destroyed for security reasons. I had to cancel and rely on my Wise card for the rest of my trip. Hungary is fairly card-friendly, but smaller markets and kiosks still want cash. Always withdraw during weekday hours and don’t rely on a single card when travelling here.

My Monzo Visa was eaten by an OTP Bank ATM in Budapest. I went to the branch the next morning, and the staff returned it after confirming my ID. They said the ATM flagged it because I tried multiple withdrawals. It was a smooth process and only delayed me half an hour. Friends also had good experiences with K&H Bank. If you’re in Hungary, definitely use ATMs attached to branches - you have a much better chance of getting your card back.

In Hungary, ATMs are mostly operated by OTP Bank, K&H Bank, and Erste Bank. If your card is captured, go directly to the branch with your passport. OTP, the largest operator, generally allows retrieval during working hours. If it’s a standalone ATM, call the hotline number printed on the machine. Foreign cards not collected quickly are sometimes destroyed, so it’s safest to block or freeze your card until you confirm if it can be returned.

Yes, it happened to me in Budapest near Deák Ferenc Square, at an OTP Bank ATM. The machine froze and ate my card. When I went to the branch the next day, they told me foreign-issued cards are destroyed for security reasons. The fastest move is to block it immediately and use a backup. Avoid the blue-and-yellow “Euronet” machines you see around tourist areas like Váci utca - they often have high fees and problems. Stick to OTP, K&H, or Erste Bank ATMs inside branches. Always carry some forints for trams, ruin bars, and small shops.