Was travelling back through Germany two days ago and because I had
mistakenly booked a hotel that didn't accept cards and had spent all of my
stash of Euro on an unexpected (unavoidable emergency) purchase I needed to
get some Euro in a hurry.

So went to the ATM and the bloody thing would only give me 50 Euro. Thought
that it was because it was out of cash so I tried the one next to it with
the same result.

Then I noticed a sticker on it stating that "VISA" were restricting
withdrawals to 50E.

What's that all about?

And what flipping use is 50 Euro a time. I'd be going to the machine every
day with that restriction. Something which I really hate doing. Not to
mention getting the charged minimum fee on my card for such a trivial amount
(yes Visa, 50 Euro is a trivial amount!)

Is it just this particular bank (Sparkassa) or a general rule?

tim