The EU wants to make cash withdrawals in supermarkets easier. The basis is a legislative package with further beneficial innovations for consumers.
Strasbourg – Even though you can pay with a debit or credit card in most stores and digital payment methods are becoming increasingly popular, it doesn’t hurt to always have some cash with you. If you notice at the supermarket checkout that you need cash again but the nearest bank is too far away, you can withdraw money there and then.
The prerequisite for this was previously a purchase by card payment. In addition, in some supermarkets and discounters you had to shop for a minimum amount – often very low – in order to use the service. However, the European Parliament has now agreed to make it easier for supermarket customers to withdraw cash at the checkout in the future.
The EU wants to make it easier to withdraw cash from supermarket checkouts – soon there will no longer be any need to go shopping
In the future, consumers will be able to withdraw up to 150 euros at supermarket checkouts without having to make a purchase in the relevant branch. Representatives of the European Parliament and the 27 EU member states decided this on Thursday (November 27th). dpa reported. The new regulation, which is part of a legislative package, is primarily intended to provide relief to people in rural regions with lower bank density.
Previously, consumers were able to withdraw up to 200 euros at the supermarket checkout if they made a purchase and paid for it with their bank card. However, the European Parliament and the Council of the 27 EU states still have to formally approve the legislative package.
More transparency in cash withdrawals and account statements
In addition to simplifying cash withdrawals in supermarkets, part of the legislative package is also a project that is intended to give travelers abroad more transparency when making withdrawals. Accordingly, ATMs within the EU should inform bank customers when withdrawing cash what fees may arise from the transaction. Anyone who wants to withdraw money in a currency other than the euro within the EU should see the current exchange rate shown on the display of the respective ATM.
In addition, the legislative package at EU level contains another innovation that will benefit consumers. Namely, by making payment data on account statements more transparent. As well as afp According to reports, the EU wants to require retailers to indicate the actual name of the business on account statements. Up to now, intermediary payment service providers have sometimes appeared on account statements and only process card payments from the respective business. (Sources: German Press Agency, afp) (fh)
