Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Following the Central Bank of Egypt’s interest rate cut on December 25, 2025, many citizens are seeking clarification on daily withdrawal limits and transaction fees at banks, ATMs, and the Instapay digital platform. While the interest rate reduction to 20–21 percent is aimed at supporting economic activity and controlling inflation, it does not directly affect daily cash withdrawal limits.
Daily Cash Withdrawal Limits
The Central Bank previously increased the maximum daily cash withdrawal to make banking transactions more convenient for customers. Key limits include:
- Bank branches: Up to EGP 250,000 per day (up from EGP 150,000).
- ATM withdrawals: Up to EGP 30,000 per day (up from EGP 20,000).
Instapay Withdrawal and Transfer Limits
Instapay, the electronic payment platform, has set daily and monthly limits for transfers and withdrawals:
- Daily withdrawal/transfer limit: EGP 120,000
- Single transaction limit: EGP 70,000
- Monthly limit: EGP 400,000
Transaction Fees
Withdrawal and transfer fees vary depending on the bank or platform used:
- Instapay fees:
- Transfers under EGP 1,000: EGP 0.50
- Transfers of EGP 1,000: EGP 1
- Transfers of EGP 5,000: EGP 5
- Maximum fee per transaction: EGP 20
- ATM fees:
Fees are generally waived when using the ATM of the card-issuing bank. Fees apply when using ATMs of other banks, typically EGP 5 per withdrawal. Balance inquiry fees range from EGP 1.5 to 10 depending on the bank.
Examples of ATM Fees by Bank
- National Bank of Egypt: Withdrawal from other banks’ ATMs: EGP 5; Balance inquiry: EGP 1.5
- Banque Misr: Withdrawal: EGP 5; Balance inquiry: EGP 2
- CIB (Commercial International Bank): Withdrawal: EGP 5; Balance inquiry: Free
- Other banks: Fees vary, generally EGP 5 for withdrawals and 0–10 EGP for balance inquiries
Tips to Avoid Extra Fees
- Use ATMs belonging to your own bank whenever possible to avoid fees.
- Check your bank’s fee structure before withdrawing or inquiring at other banks’ ATMs.
- Use digital banking apps for transfers and balance checks to minimize ATM usage.
- Consider withdrawing larger amounts less frequently to reduce transaction costs.
Summary
While the Central Bank’s interest rate cut aims to stimulate economic activity and support declining inflation, it does not affect ATM or Instapay withdrawal limits. Customers can withdraw up to EGP 30,000 per day from ATMs, up to EGP 250,000 from bank branches, and up to EGP 120,000 daily via Instapay. Fees depend on the bank and the type of transaction, but can largely be avoided by using the bank’s own ATMs or digital services.
