Jetting off to Europe soon? Whether it’s Paris, Rome, Berlin, Prague or a full tour of the continent, you’ll need to find a smart way to cover your expenses.
A travel money card could be the ideal solution. But which debit card is best for international travel?
Read on to find out, as we’ve put together a list of debit, prepaid and travel cards all perfect for international travel. This includes the Wise international debit card, which we’ll look at first.
Wise international debit card
One of the best travel money cards out there is the Wise international debit card, so it’s the ideal place to start our list.
The Wise international debit card is perfect for trips to Europe and beyond, with no foreign transaction fees and great exchange rates.
The Wise international debit card offers the following features:
- Spend and withdraw cash in over 160 countries, anywhere that Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
- Automatically converts your USD to euros (EUR) at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. There’s just a small conversion fee, or no charge if you already have the currency in your Wise account.
- Withdraw $100 a month from overseas ATMs for free, with a tiny fee of 2% after.
This means you can shop, dine and travel across Europe, knowing you're always getting a great exchange rate when you spend in euros.
And there’s no need to convert currency or carry cash around with you. All you need is your Wise international debit card in your pocket.
Open a Wise Account online, and you can order a Wise international debit card for a one-time fee of just $9.
Get a Wise Account today
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit : Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.
The best debit cards for travel in Europe
So, what is the best debit card to have in Europe? Let’s run through all the best options for travelers and vacationers from the US. We’ve included cards with no foreign transaction fees, as well as those with additional travel perks.
1: Chime¹
Money app Chime offers a checking account with no monthly fees, which comes with a Visa debit card. This has no foreign transaction fees, so you can spend freely abroad in other currencies.
You’ll just need to switch on international transactions in the Chime app before your trip.
When you sign up with Chime, you’ll also get:
- Free withdrawals at 60,000+ ATMs in the US
- Add your card to mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay, so you can pay with your phone
- Manage your card (including security) in the Chime app.
While Chime offers fee-free withdrawals at many locations within the US, it does have a $2.50 charge for out-of-network ATM withdrawals.²
So, it could be worth just using your Chime card for overseas spending. Or you can withdraw all the euros you need at once so you only pay one charge.
2: Revolut
Another digital money app like Chime, Revolut offers three checking account plans. These are:³
- Standard - free
- Premium - $9.99 a month
- Metal - $16.99 a month.
Each plan comes with a Revolut debit card. This lets you spend worldwide in over 150 currencies, including euros.
If you sign up for the free Standard plan, you won’t pay any fees on currency exchange for 25+ currencies during the week (Monday to Friday). However, there is a 1% fee at the weekend.⁴
Other features available with the Standard plan include:
- Fee-free withdrawals at 55,000 ATMs within the US³
- $1,000 a month limit on currency exchange (including card spending)⁴
- Fee-free withdrawals at out of network ATMs up to $400 a month - a 2% fee applies after that. ⁴
3: Capital One
The first bank on our list, Capital One has a debit card that works pretty well for travel.
Sign up for a Capital One 360 Checking Account and you’ll get a contactless Mastercard debit card which has no fees for overseas transactions.
The card works with mobile wallets and can be used anywhere that Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
The account itself has no monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements. You’ll also get the following features:⁵
- 24/7 mobile banking
- Fee-free cash withdrawals at 70,000 ATMs in the US
- Access to Zelle payments
- Overdraft options.
Similarly to other debit cards, there are some limits you should know about. You can only spend a maximum of $5,000 per day. And the most you can withdraw from an ATM per day is $1,000.⁶ This includes withdrawals both at home and overseas.
4: Charles Schwab
Open a Schwab Bank Investor Checking account and you’ll get a contactless Visa debit card which has no foreign transaction fees.
There is a requirement to open a brokerage account at the same time,⁷ but you don’t have to use it. And neither account has monthly maintenance fees or minimum deposits either.
The Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card offers:
- A generous daily purchase limit of $15,000 and max. ATM withdrawal limit of $1,000 a day⁸
- Unlimited ATM fee rebates if you’re charged by another ATM operator⁷
- Enhanced debit card security features, such as in-app card lock/unlock and travel alerts.
The account itself also gives you 0.45% APY interest on your balance.⁷
5: Betterment⁹
Betterment is perhaps best known as an investment specialist. But it also offers a checking account and card which have travel-friendly features.
The account has no monthly fees, while the contactless Visa debit card automatically reimburses ATM and foreign transaction fees. So if you’re charged while away in Europe, you’ll get your money back without having to lift a finger.
The Betterment account also has the following features:
- No overdraft fees
- Cashback at US retailers and brands
- FDIC insured up to $250,000.
The limit for spending on the Betterment debit card is $2,000 a day, while withdrawals are capped at $510 a day.¹⁰
6: Santander¹¹
The Santander Select checking account offers all kinds of travel-friendly benefits, It’s particularly useful if Spain is on the itinerary for your European adventure.
The account comes with a Santander Select World Debit Mastercard, which has no international transaction fees for purchases or ATM withdrawals.
The Spanish-owned bank also has a global network, so it can offer fee-free cash withdrawals at over 30,000 Santander ATMs in Europe and worldwide.
The account also offers:
- Up to $30 reimbursem*nt per service period for cash withdrawal surcharges from using non-Santander ATM operators
- Travel Protection cover for canceled/delayed trips, or lost/delayed luggage
- Free Priority Pass annual membership
- Exclusive tickets and reservations with Mastercard Concierge Services
- Manage your card and account through a user-friendly mobile banking app.
There is a minimum account opening deposit, but it’s pretty affordable at just $25. There’s no minimum balance required after that, but if you can keep at least $25,000 in your account you’ll avoid the monthly fee of $25.
7: Travelex Money Card Mastercard¹²
Last on our list is something a little different. This is the Travelex Money Card, a prepaid Mastercard that you load up with euros before your trip.
You can also use it outside of Europe, as it supports 15 available currencies including USD, GBP, AUD and CAD.
You can add funds to your card online or at the time of purchase from a participating bank. There’s also the Travelex Money app.
The card lets you spend wherever Mastercard is accepted, just like a standard debit card. Additional features include:
- Locked-in exchange rates
- No ATM fees (although ATM operators may still charge their own fees)
- 24/7 assistance
- Free Wi-Fi worldwide with Boingo Hotspots
- Exclusive discounts and offers with platinum card benefits.
There are a few drawbacks though. You can’t use your card for reserving rental cars, hotel rooms, cruises or automated fuel pumps.
There’s a fee of 2% if you’re adding British pounds (GBP) to the card, and a 5.75% foreign transaction fee if you spend in a currency not already loaded on your card.
Bottom line
After reading our guide to the best debit cards for travel in Europe, you should be all set to choose the right option for you.
Just remember to check out exchange rates as well as fees. Many banks and card providers won’t give you the best exchange rate, unlike the Wise international debit card, which always uses mid-market rates with no margins on top.
Learn more about Wise
FAQs
Which debit card has no fees in Europe?
Most of the debit cards on our list have no foreign transaction fees. However, you also need to watch out for charges for using out-of-network ATMs. Always check the small print before using a US-issued card abroad.
Can you travel in Europe with a debit card?
Yes, a debit card is a great way to cover your expenses in another country.
But only if the issuer permits use outside the US, and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Otherwise, it could be an expensive way to spend internationally.
Sources used for this article:
Sources checked on 11-Jun-2023.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information. This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
