Nearly everywhere, on every island, you'll find the Multi-Banco machine,
which is a "universal" system all banks and many supermarkets use. An
American debit card usually works just as in the U.S. Put the card in,
enter the code, and choose from a selection of languages.
Because you would be using a foreign debit card, your only option will
be a withdrawal. Multi-Banco limits withdrawals to 200 euros per day,
regardless of what your own bank may allow. I spend three months per
year in the Açores (am in Pico right now) and have never encountered any
problem using these machines.
However, there is a possible problem, depending on the card your bank
issues. In Europe, cards are "smart cards" with tiny electronic chips in
them. American banks have resisted the move to smart cards and remained
with magnetic strips. My card has always worked here, but I know of
others whose Bank of America card did not.
Tom Leal
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