ATM & card fees in Lithuania with a foreign card

Lithuania uses the euro, and most everyday spending is by card or phone. With a foreign card the fees you pay come down to three things: which ATM you use, whether you let the machine convert the currency, and what your own bank charges. Get those right and you can pay almost nothing.

The single biggest rule: always pay in euros

At an ATM or a shop card terminal you'll often be asked whether to be charged in euros or in your home currency (pounds, dollars, etc.). This is dynamic currency conversion (DCC).

Always choose euros. Letting the machine convert for you uses a poor built-in exchange rate and adds a markup — on some private ATMs that markup is around 10% or more (Monito). Paying in euros lets your own bank do the conversion at a far better rate.

Avoid Euronet ATMs

You'll see bright Euronet machines in airports, train stations, tourist spots and convenience shops. They are a private network, not a bank, and they are built to charge foreign cards:

• a per-withdrawal surcharge (commonly a few euros, sometimes more);
• an aggressive DCC offer with a heavy markup if you don't decline it.

Spotting them is easy — look for the "Euronet" branding rather than a bank's logo. Walk a little further to a bank machine instead.

Use bank ATMs (mostly fee-free for the network itself)

Bank-operated ATMs are your best option. The main networks are Swedbank, SEB, Luminor, Citadele and Šiaulių bankas. Most do not add their own access fee to a foreign card — though your home bank's fees still apply, and a few machines may surcharge specific cards.

A couple of fee points worth knowing:

The 2% SEB figure is a bank-plan fee for SEB account holders, not a charge aimed at foreign cards — but it's a useful reminder that fees depend on the card and plan, so always read the on-screen fee notice before you confirm (SEB; Swedbank).

Fintech cards: cheapest for most students

If you arrive with Revolut, Wise or a similar app, you'll usually get a much better deal than a traditional foreign debit card. They give near-interbank exchange rates and a monthly allowance of fee-free ATM withdrawals.

For example, Revolut's free Standard plan in Lithuania allows a set amount of fee-free ATM withdrawals per rolling month, after which a fair-usage fee applies; weekend currency exchange can also carry a small surcharge (Revolut).

EU vs non-EU vs Erasmus — does it differ?

For ATM and card fees, your nationality doesn't matter — what matters is your card. The rules above apply equally to everyone:

• EU/EEA students — a card from your home EU bank usually works at Lithuanian SEPA terms with low or no extra fees, since Lithuania is in the eurozone.
• Non-EU students — your home bank is most likely to add foreign-transaction and currency fees, so a fintech card or a local account saves the most.
• Erasmus / exchange — for a short stay, a fintech app plus declining DCC is usually all you need; opening a local bank account is rarely worth it.

If you're staying longer, opening a Lithuanian account removes most fees entirely. See our guide on opening a bank account as a student.

Quick checklist

1. Use a bank ATM, not Euronet.
2. Always choose euros, never "charge in my home currency".
3. Carry a fintech card (Revolut/Wise) for the best rates and a free ATM allowance.
4. Read the fee notice on screen before confirming any withdrawal.
5. Need small cash with no fee? Ask for cashback at the supermarket till.