Money & Payments in Vienna (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Carry EUR 30–50 in small bills and coins for cafés, markets, and public restrooms; debit card for main purchases
Credit cards less common than debit cards in Austrian culture; ask before relying on credit card at small businesses
Vienna is still a cash-based society despite rising card acceptance; always have a mix of payment methods
Bank-branded ATMs (blue-green Bankomat logos) are safest and often free for Euro accounts; avoid Euronet ATMs in tourist areas if possible
Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs; always choose to pay in EUR, not your home currency, to get better rates
When tipping in cash, hand money directly to server; saying 'danke' signals 'keep the change'
Contactless payments widely accepted in modern venues; traditional small establishments may not support digital payment
Prices written with comma (€3,50 not €3.50); watch carefully when reading menus and bills

ATM Fees

Recommendation: Use bank-branded ATMs in central Vienna; avoid airport and tourist-zone ATMs when possible
Dynamic Currency Conversion: Avoid; always select local currency (EUR) to prevent extra markup fees applied by ATM providers
Note: Fees vary significantly; bank ATMs may charge EUR 2–7.90 per withdrawal for foreign cardholders; privately operated ATMs (e.g., Euronet) can charge higher fees

Bank ATMs

Fee Range: €2.00
Note Bank: Austrian bank ATMs (e.g., Bankomat with blue-green logos) typically do not charge for Euro-account holders; foreign non-Eurozone cards may incur fees

Private ATMs

Example: Euronet ATMs charge approximately EUR 1.95 per transaction
Note Private: Often located in prominent tourist areas; always check fee notice on screen before confirming

Tipping Norms

Hairdressers And Salons: 10% standard
Cultural Note: Tipping is customary but not mandatory; viewed as appreciation for service, not wage subsidy; service staff earn decent base wages in Austria

Taxis

Example: Fare of EUR 12.70 → pay EUR 14
Standard: Around 10%; round up the fare

CaféS

Example: EUR 3.60 coffee rounds to EUR 4 or EUR 5
Standard: Round up for table service; no tip needed for counter service (standing at bar for espresso)

Hotels

Porter Per Bag: €1.00
Housekeeping Per Day: €1.00
Note: Leave on bed with brief note; not required but appreciated

Guided Tours

Standard Full Day: €10
Standard Half Day: €5.00
Free Walking Tours: €5.00

Restaurants And Bars

Important: Service charge almost never included in bill; not tipping or tipping zero signals serious dissatisfaction
Standard Range: 5–10% or round up to nearest convenient euro

Card Acceptance

Debit Cards: Widely accepted including Maestro; use everywhere, even for small purchases
Credit Cards: Limited acceptance; Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, larger restaurants, and chains, but not reliably at small cafés, independent shops, and market stalls
Mobile Wallets: Growing popularity; Revolut, N26, Wise popular with travelers and expats
American Express: Rarely accepted
Contactless Payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay increasingly common, especially in urban areas and supermarkets, but keep a backup for older systems

Banking

Currency: Euros (EUR) only; foreign currency exchange available but with fees. Most international credit/debit cards accepted at major retailers.
Online Banks: N26 (free, no monthly fees, no foreign exchange fees), Revolut (free, budget-friendly), Wise (multi-currency, low international transfer costs; requires proof of Austrian residence).
Account Types: Current accounts (personal banking), student accounts (often free or low-fee), savings accounts, investment products, debit cards (Bankomatkarte), credit cards (require separate application with minimum income thresholds).
Transfer Costs: EU transfers typically low/nominal fees; cross-currency transfers incur additional fees plus exchange rate markup. Mobile and internet banking offered free by major banks.
Foreign Exchange: No restrictions on bringing EUR or foreign cash into Austria; exchange available at airport and banks.

Major Banks

Erste Bank
Features
Over 2,700 branches in 7 countries, online banking in English, account setup available online for residents. Student accounts fee-free; current accounts EUR 4–10 monthly. English-speaking staff.
Expat Friendly
Yes
Raiffeisen Bank
Features
Over 450 branches, wide ATM network, salary/youth/student/family accounts available. Mein ELBA platform for online/mobile banking in English. Presence in both urban and rural areas.
Expat Friendly
Yes
Bank Austria
Features
Part of UniCredit Group, over 15 million customers worldwide. Dedicated services for non-residents and expatriates.
Expat Friendly
Yes

Account Fees

Typical Monthly: €7.00
Notes: Current accounts typically EUR 4–10 monthly depending on services. Student accounts usually fee-free. Online/neobanks often have minimal or no fees.

Account Opening

Documents Needed: Valid ID (passport or ID card), proof of residence, proof of identity. Self-employed may need tax returns or business registration; employees may need payslips or employment contracts.
Resident Requirements: All residents can open accounts. In-person or online account opening available; online often limited to Austrian residents.
Non Resident Requirements: Non-residents can open accounts with certain banks (e.g., Erste, Bank Austria), though requirements and documentation vary. Online account opening typically not available for non-residents.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Vienna

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Vienna