Some Egyptian bank ATMs let you exchange US dollars or euros into Egyptian pounds directly - without a bank card. The function is called Cardless Service. It's convenient: no need to find an exchange office, queue up, or negotiate a rate. Here's how it works, step by step.
Step-by-step guide
1
Select the language
On the ATM's start screen, choose your preferred language.
🇬🇧 Press English
2
Select cardless service
On the main screen, find and press the cardless service section.
📱 Press Cardless Service
3
Select foreign exchange
In the menu that appears, choose the foreign currency exchange section.
💵 Press Foreign Exchange
4
Check the exchange rate
The current exchange rate will appear on screen. Make sure you're happy with it, then confirm.
📊 Press Continue
5
Insert your banknote
The ATM will open the banknote slot - usually on the left of the screen. Wait for it to open, then carefully insert your note.
💵 The banknote slot is usually on the left
6
Review the calculation
The ATM will show how many Egyptian pounds you'll receive and the fee. Check carefully before confirming.
📱 Check the amount and any fee
7
Confirm the transaction
If you're happy with everything, confirm the exchange.
✅ Press Continue
8
Collect your Egyptian pounds
The ATM will dispense Egyptian pounds into the cash tray. This is usually on the right.
💸 The cash tray is usually on the right
A note on the amount you receive
⚠️ The payout is not always exact
The final amount depends on whether the ATM has small-denomination notes in stock. If there are no small notes available, the ATM will round down to the nearest available amount.
👉 Example: exchanging $20
You insert
20 USD
At the exchange rate you should receive
1,007.2 EGP
If no small notes available, you get
1,000 EGP
Lost to rounding
7.2 EGP ≈ $0.14
Tips for minimising losses
💡 How to get the most from the exchange
- Exchange round amounts - $20, $50, $100. Not $23 or $37.
- ATMs are usually better stocked with small notes in the morning after overnight replenishment.
- If the ATM shows a large rounding loss - try the one next door.
- Larger amounts work out better - the relative rounding loss is proportionally smaller.
Which banks offer Cardless Service?
The cardless exchange function is available at the major Egyptian banks: Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt (NBE), and CIB (Commercial International Bank). ATMs with Cardless Service are found at airports, shopping centres, and along the seafronts of resort towns.
Not all ATMs support this function. If there's no Cardless Service option on the screen, look for a different ATM or a different bank.