European banks reduce ATM networks amid rising costs

The number of automated teller machines (ATMs) is declining across Europe as banks face rising maintenance, technological upgrade, and cash replenishment costs. In Greece, the ATM network decreased by 9% in 2025, falling to 5,625 units from 6,167 in 2024. This trend is mirrored across the Eurozone, where the number of machines has dropped from over 300,000 in 2018 to approximately 248,900 today.

To mitigate costs, some countries have implemented shared ATM networks. Portugal utilizes the Multibanco network, managed by SIBS since 1985, which allows citizens to perform various transactions without fees regardless of their bank. Similarly, in France, major institutions including Société Générale, BNP Paribas, CIC, and Crédit Mutuel have formed Cash Services to operate shared machines.

In Greece, despite discussions regarding a unified network following legislation that abolished withdrawal fees and capped private machine charges at €1.50, a shared system has not been established because two systemic banks disagreed with the plan, opting instead to invest in their own networks.