If your card was recently declined at an ATM in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or anywhere else in Nepal even though your account had enough balance, you have likely run into Nepal Rastra Bank's revised cash withdrawal ceiling. In 2026, NRB tightened the rules on how much cash you can pull out of an ATM using a debit, prepaid, or credit card, and the change caught many account holders off guard. This guide breaks down the exact daily, monthly, and per-transaction limits, why they were reduced, how they differ from bank to bank, and what you can actually do if you need to withdraw more than the ceiling allows.
Quick Answer
As of the 2026 revision to NRB's unified directive for banks and financial institutions, ATM cash withdrawal limits in Nepal are:
- Per transaction: up to Rs 20,000
- Per day: up to Rs 50,000
- Per month: up to Rs 300,000
These are the maximum ceilings set by the central bank. Individual banks may apply the same limits or set lower ones on your specific card, so always confirm the exact figure with your own bank.
What Counts as an "ATM Withdrawal Limit" in Nepal
An ATM withdrawal limit is simply the maximum amount Nepal Rastra Bank allows a bank or financial institution (BFI) to dispense to a single cardholder through an ATM, split across three layers: how much you can take out in one transaction, how much across all transactions in a calendar day, and how much across a full month. NRB sets the outer ceiling that every commercial bank, development bank, and finance company must follow, but each bank can choose to be more conservative for its own cards.
These caps apply specifically to cash withdrawals through ATMs using debit, prepaid, or credit cards. They do not apply to counter withdrawals inside a branch, or to digital transfers made through mobile banking, internet banking, or QR-based wallets such as eSewa, Khalti, or ConnectIPS, which typically carry separate, often higher, limits.
Current ATM Withdrawal Limits in Nepal (2026)
Nepal Rastra Bank revised its unified directive to banks and financial institutions in 2026, cutting card-based ATM withdrawal ceilings for the second time in recent years as part of its push toward digital and QR-based payments. The table below shows the current limits alongside the older figures that applied for several years before the revision.
| Limit type | Earlier rule | Current rule (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum per single transaction | Rs 25,000 | Rs 20,000 |
| Maximum per day (all transactions combined) | Rs 100,000 | Rs 50,000 |
| Maximum per calendar month | Rs 400,000 | Rs 300,000 |
According to NRB officials cited in local business reporting, the goal is to reduce dependence on physical cash, lower the cost banks bear in refilling and securing ATMs, and encourage wider use of digital payment rails. NRB data shows Nepal had over 5,200 ATMs and more than 13 million debit cards in circulation as of mid-2025, while total ATM cash withdrawals had already started declining year on year as QR and mobile payments gained ground.
Does the Limit Apply to Every Bank the Same Way?
NRB's figures are a ceiling, not a fixed rule every bank must copy exactly. Some banks apply the full Rs 20,000 / Rs 50,000 / Rs 300,000 allowance, while others historically kept slightly different internal limits for specific card tiers (classic, gold, or premium debit cards), especially before the 2026 revision took effect across the industry. A few practical points worth knowing:
- Premium or "gold" debit and credit cards sometimes carry a higher per-transaction limit at the bank's own ATMs, but they still cannot exceed the NRB-wide daily and monthly ceiling.
- Withdrawing from another bank's ATM (an inter-bank withdrawal) still counts toward your own bank's daily and monthly limit, even though a separate switch fee usually applies. That fee structure is covered in our companion guide on inter-bank ATM charges in Nepal.
- Newly issued cards, corporate cards, and NRN (Non-Resident Nepali) accounts may have different default limits set by the issuing bank; check your card's terms and conditions or ask your relationship branch.
- Foreign travelers using international Visa or Mastercard debit cards at Nepali ATMs are generally subject to the same Rs 20,000/50,000/300,000 ceiling, in addition to whatever limit their home bank sets.
Tip: Confirm your personal limit before a big purchase
Log into your bank's mobile app or call customer care to check the exact per-transaction and daily limit configured on your card. Some banks let you temporarily raise or lower this limit yourself from the app, which is useful before travel or a large cash need.
ATM Limit vs Branch Counter Withdrawal Limit
If you need more cash than the ATM ceiling allows in a day, withdrawing directly from a branch counter is usually the fastest legal workaround, since counter withdrawals are governed by different, generally higher, thresholds. Most banks allow substantially larger same-day withdrawals over the counter, though very large cash withdrawals may require advance notice so the branch can arrange sufficient cash, and unusually large transactions can trigger standard anti-money-laundering reporting to NRB regardless of the channel used.
| Feature | ATM withdrawal | Branch counter withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Governed by | NRB card/payment system ceiling | Bank's own cash and KYC policy |
| Typical daily ceiling | Rs 50,000 | Bank-dependent; usually much higher |
| Advance notice needed for large amounts | Not applicable | Often required for very large sums |
| Availability | 24/7 | Banking hours only |
| ID required | Card + PIN | Passbook/account details, sometimes ID |
Withdrawal Planner: How Many ATM Visits Will You Need?
Use the calculator below to plan cash withdrawals around the current limits. Enter the total amount you need, and it will estimate the minimum number of transactions and days required, based on the Rs 20,000 per-transaction and Rs 50,000 per-day ceiling.
ATM Withdrawal Planner
Based on current NRB limits: Rs 20,000/transaction, Rs 50,000/day, Rs 300,000/month.
Please enter a valid amount greater than zero.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the limit resets per ATM
The daily and monthly limit is tracked at the account or card level, not per machine. Visiting three different banks' ATMs on the same day still counts against one combined daily cap.
Withdrawing the full Rs 20,000 every time out of habit
If you only need a smaller amount, withdrawing less leaves more of your daily allowance available for later, and can reduce the number of inter-bank fees you pay in a single day.
Not checking the bank's own limit
Some cards are configured below the NRB ceiling by default. If a withdrawal fails well under Rs 20,000, the issue is often your bank's own setting, not the national rule.
Leaving large withdrawals to the last minute
If you need Rs 200,000 or more before a deadline, spreading it across several days in advance avoids being blocked by the daily ceiling right when you need the cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current ATM withdrawal limit in Nepal?
As of the 2026 NRB revision, you can withdraw up to Rs 20,000 per transaction, Rs 50,000 per day, and Rs 300,000 per month using a debit, prepaid, or credit card at any ATM in Nepal, subject to your own bank's specific card settings.
Can I withdraw more than Rs 50,000 in a day through ATMs?
Not through ATMs alone once the daily ceiling is reached, regardless of how many different banks' machines you try. If you need more cash the same day, a branch counter withdrawal is the usual option, subject to your bank's own cash and documentation policy.
Do these limits apply to credit cards as well as debit cards?
Yes, the NRB ceiling covers cash withdrawals made through debit, prepaid, and credit cards at ATMs. Credit card cash withdrawals typically also carry a separate cash-advance fee and daily interest charged by the issuing bank, on top of the withdrawal ceiling.
Why did NRB reduce the ATM withdrawal limit in 2026?
NRB officials cited a policy push to reduce cash dependency, cut the cost of managing physical cash in the banking system, and encourage wider adoption of digital and QR-based payments as part of Nepal's broader digital payment strategy.
Does the monthly limit reset on a fixed date?
The monthly ceiling is generally tracked against the calendar month and resets at the start of the next month, though the exact reset timing can depend on your bank's core banking system. Confirm with your bank if you are planning withdrawals close to month-end.
Is the ATM limit different for foreigners and tourists in Nepal?
International cardholders withdrawing from Nepali ATMs are generally subject to the same Rs 20,000/50,000/300,000 ceiling as local accounts, in addition to any limit their home bank applies separately.
What happens if I try to withdraw more than the limit?
The ATM will simply decline the transaction once you exceed the per-transaction, daily, or monthly ceiling, even if your account balance is sufficient. No penalty is charged for a declined attempt, but repeated failed attempts can sometimes trigger a temporary card block for security reasons.
Figures can change
NRB periodically revises payment system directives. The limits in this guide reflect the rule in effect as of 2026. Always cross-check with your bank's official notice or NRB's published directive before relying on these figures for a major financial decision.
Related Reading
If you regularly withdraw from ATMs outside your own bank's network, see our guide on inter-bank ATM charges in Nepal to understand exactly what each withdrawal will cost you. If you are worried about card security while withdrawing cash, our guide on how to spot an ATM skimming device in Nepal covers the warning signs to check before inserting your card. And if a machine ever keeps your card, our step-by-step guide on what to do if your ATM card gets stuck in Nepal walks through the recovery process.
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