German for Using an ATM: Withdraw Cash and Ask About Fees
Learn to ask whether a German ATM accepts foreign cards, understand common screen prompts, and ask about withdrawal fees in clear elementary German.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Using an ATM in Germany is usually straightforward, but the screen prompts and fee questions can be confusing if you do not know the key words. This lesson gives you the exact phrases you need at the machine: asking whether it accepts foreign cards, choosing an amount, and checking whether a fee applies. You will also learn how to read the most common German ATM prompts so you can withdraw cash with confidence. The focus is standard contemporary German; where wording differs in Austria or Switzerland, that is noted.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether an ATM accepts foreign cards.
- understand common German ATM screen prompts for cash withdrawal.
- ask whether a fee applies and how much it is.
- choose or enter a withdrawal amount and confirm the transaction.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?
Does this ATM accept foreign cards?
ak-tsep-TEERT DEE-zer OWS-len-di-she KAR-ten
Use at the machine or with staff. 'Automat' is the general word for an ATM; 'Geldautomat' is also common and very clear.
Kann ich hier mit meiner ausländischen Karte Geld abheben?
Can I withdraw money here with my foreign card?
kan ikh heer mit MY-ner OWS-len-di-shen KAR-te GELT AP-hay-ben
A full, polite question. 'Geld abheben' is the standard verb phrase for withdrawing cash.
Fällt eine Gebühr an?
Is there a fee?
felt AY-ne guh-BUER an
Very useful at banks and ATMs. 'Gebühr' means fee or charge. The verb 'anfallen' is used for fees that apply.
Wie hoch ist die Gebühr?
How much is the fee?
vee hohkh ist dee guh-BUER
Use after you know a fee applies. The answer may be a percentage or a fixed amount.
Ich möchte 100 Euro abheben, bitte.
I would like to withdraw 100 euros, please.
ikh MUERKH-te HUN-dert OY-roh AP-hay-ben BIT-te
Useful with a cashier or when telling someone your amount. At the ATM, you usually press the amount on screen instead.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask whether something is accepted, use 'Akzeptiert ...?' or 'Kann ich hier mit ...?' For example: 'Akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?' (Does this ATM accept foreign cards?) and 'Kann ich hier mit meiner Karte Geld abheben?' (Can I withdraw money here with my card?). To ask about a fee, use 'Fällt eine Gebühr an?' (Is there a fee?) and 'Wie hoch ist die Gebühr?' (How much is the fee?). The verb usually comes in second position in a statement, but in yes/no questions it comes first: 'Akzeptiert der Automat ...?'
When to use it
Use these phrases before you insert your card if you are unsure about foreign-card acceptance, and after you see a fee message on screen. Common prompts include 'Bitte Karte einführen' (Please insert card), 'Geheimzahl eingeben' (Enter PIN), 'Betrag wählen' (Choose amount), 'Gebühr: 5,00 Euro' (Fee: 5.00 euros), and 'Bitte entnehmen Sie Ihre Karte' (Please take your card). In Austria you may see 'Bankomat' instead of 'Geldautomat'; in Switzerland, 'Bancomat' is common. The German word 'Geheimzahl' is the PIN; 'PIN' is also widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?
Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?ent-SHOOL-di-goong, ak-tsep-TEERT DEE-zer OWS-len-di-she KAR-tenJa, das geht. Bitte Karte einführen und Geheimzahl eingeben.
Yes, that works. Please insert your card and enter your PIN.yah, das gayt. BIT-te KAR-te IYN-fue-ren unt guh-HYM-tsahl IYN-gay-benDanke. Fällt eine Gebühr an?
Thank you. Is there a fee?DAN-ke. felt AY-ne guh-BUER anJa, fünf Euro. Der Betrag wird angezeigt.
Yes, five euros. The amount will be displayed.yah, fuenf OY-roh. dair buh-TRAHK veert AN-guh-tsayktA little context goes a long way
In Germany, many ATMs charge a fee for foreign cards, and the fee is often shown on screen before you confirm. Cash is still widely used, so carrying some euros is practical. In Austria, the machine is usually called a 'Bankomat'; in Switzerland, 'Bancomat' is common, and the currency is Swiss francs, not euros. Use 'Sie' with bank staff unless you know them well.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Nehmen Sie ausländische Karten?' to mean 'Do you accept foreign cards?'
Try this instead: 'Nehmen' can mean 'take', but for card acceptance the natural verb is 'akzeptieren': 'Akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?' You can also ask 'Kann ich hier mit meiner ausländischen Karte Geld abheben?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Does this ATM accept foreign cards?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?
This uses the verb-first yes/no question pattern with 'akzeptieren'. 'Geldautomat' is also correct and very common.
2You see 'Geheimzahl eingeben' on the screen. What should you do?
Show a sample answer
Enter your PIN.
'Geheimzahl' means PIN or secret number. 'Eingeben' means to enter or input. 'PIN eingeben' is also used.
3How do you ask 'Is there a fee?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Fällt eine Gebühr an?
This is the standard way to ask whether a fee applies. 'Gibt es eine Gebühr?' is also understandable and correct.
Before withdrawing, ask 'Akzeptiert dieser Automat ausländische Karten?' and 'Fällt eine Gebühr an?' Then follow the screen prompts: 'Karte einführen', 'Geheimzahl eingeben', 'Betrag wählen'.
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