When traveling, every dollar counts. And yet, foreign withdrawal fees can quickly eat into your budget if you’re not careful. During my last trip to Barcelona, I took the time to test several ATMs to identify those that charge the least fees—or even none at all. Here are my findings, based on withdrawals made with my WealthSimple card, known for its good exchange rate and free withdrawals abroad (see https://alexstravels.ca/tips-and-tricks/travel-shopping/).
Banks tested in Barcelona
Here are the ATMs I visited, with the withdrawal fees charged by each bank (excluding fees charged by your own institution):
| Bank / Teller window | Withdrawal fees (Access fees) |
|---|---|
| Banco Pichincha | 0€ |
| BBVA | 7€ |
| CaixaBank | 4.50€ |
| Euronet Worldwide | 5.95€ |
| ING | 0€ |
| Kutxabank | 0€ |
| Revolut (ATM) | 0€ |
| Sabadell | 6.95€ |
| Santander | 7€ |
Beware of the trap of automatic conversion
Another crucial point : always choose the local currency (EUR) when withdrawing cash or making purchases with your credit card. Several ATMs and payment terminals offer direct conversion to Canadian dollars (CAD), but this option is almost always disadvantageous.
Here are some concrete examples observed in Barcelona (tests conducted on September 4, 2025):
| Bank / Teller window | Proposed exchange rate (EUR/CAD) | Actual rate (WealthSimple / Mastercard) | Approximate overload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euronet Worldwide | 0.5407 | 0.6205 | +13% |
| CaixaBank | 0.5508 | 0.6205 | +11% |
| Kutxabank | 0.5944 | 0.6205 | +4% |
These rates include a hidden surcharge hat can easily cost you several euros per transaction. By choosing to be billed in your local currency, you benefit from your card’s actual exchange rate (in my case, WealthSimple with 0% surcharge), which is much more advantageous.
My recommendations
- Preferred options : Banco Pichincha, Kutxabank, ING.
- Avoid : Euronet Worldwide (even though it is widely available in tourist areas), BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell & Santander.
- Tip: If you have a card like WealthSimple, you can maximize your fee-free withdrawals, but you still need to choose the right ATM.
Going from ATM to ATM may seem tedious, but it’s worth it. In just a few days, I was able to identify the best places to withdraw cash without fees in Barcelona. This kind of optimization can save you tens of euros on a trip. And as always, it’s better to be informed than surprised!