Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Estonia. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
When I traveled across Estonia, I withdrew cash mainly at SEB and LHV ATMs. With my HSBC debit card, the limit was €750 per transaction, and there were no fees from the ATM. I kept my withdrawals to a minimum since nearly all restaurants, trams, and shops accepted contactless. The only time I really needed cash was in smaller villages near Lahemaa National Park. My Revolut card worked flawlessly everywhere. Estonia is one of the most digital-payment-friendly countries I’ve been to, so ATM fees aren’t really a big problem.
Not every ATM in Estonia is as cheap as people claim. My Monzo Mastercard was charged €3.50 at a Swedbank ATM in Tartu, which felt like a rip-off but i think it was because i acdepted conversion, otherwise next time the ATM did not charge me any fees. The limit was €1000, so I had to make multiple withdrawals during my trip. Coop Pank ATMs didn’t always accept my card, especially in smaller towns. I found Swedbank, SEB, Luminor and LHV ATMs to be the most reliable. If you’re just staying in Tallinn, you might not need cash at all since almost everything, including taxis and street food, can be paid by card.
I had a smooth experience withdrawing money in Estonia. LHV ATMs in Tallinn Old Town accepted my Revolut card without issues and charged no additional fees. The withdrawal limit was €500, which was more than enough for several days of exploring, trams, and dinners. Even SEB ATMs were fine,no fees. The country is so card-friendly that I barely needed cash, but I still liked keeping €100 on me for markets and sauna spots. Estonia was one of the easiest countries in Europe for ATMs in my opinion.
In Estonia, your best bet for fee-free withdrawals is LHV Bank and Coop Pank ATMs. I used my Wise Visa debit in Tallinn and was able to withdraw €400 in one go without an extra fee from LHV. Swedbank and SEB ATMs are also everywhere, and no fees for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits are generally €500 to 1000 euros per transaction. Most places in Estonia take cards, but it’s still useful to keep €50-100 cash for street food, small cafes, and rural areas where card readers sometimes fail.