Paying in the Eurozone without the hidden markup
The Eurozone is DCC’s busiest arena: independent ATM operators (Euronet is the most widely reported) blanket tourist zones, and POS terminals in tourist areas frequently offer conversion.
Loading reference rate…
Say this at the counter
En euros, por favor · In Euro, bitte · En euros, s’il vous plaît · In euro, per favore
Spanish, German, French and Italian versions. In Dutch: “In euro’s, alstublieft”; Greek: “Σε ευρώ, παρακαλώ”; Portuguese: “Em euros, por favor”.
More languages on the refusal card.
Prefer ATMs attached to actual bank branches. Since April 2020, EU rules (Regulation 2019/518) force ATMs and terminals to show the conversion markup as a percentage over the ECB rate. Read that line before touching anything.
Card acceptance is excellent in the north, patchier in southern Europe’s small venues and markets.
The EU markup disclosure is your friend: if the screen admits “+6.5% over ECB rate”, that is exactly what pressing the conversion button costs you.
What would a DCC “yes” cost you here?
Open the calculator preset to EUR and see the overcharge on your exact amount, at today’s ECB reference rate.
Reviewed 7 August 2026 · Neighbours in the guide: United Kingdom · Switzerland · all 30 destinations