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5 best international debit cards for 2024

Save money while traveling abroad with these debit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

The best debit cards for international travel have no foreign transaction fees and are accepted at most international ATMs. Here are our favorite picks as well as a few honorable mentions that nearly made the cut.

Best international debit cards

Take a closer look at the pros and cons of each checking account that offers debit cards with no foreign transaction fees:

SoFi Checking and Savings

4.5
★★★★★

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Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until June 30, 2024.
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SoFi Checking and Savings is best for getting cash at foreign ATMs. It packs a punch with zero fees and competitive interest rates. But it doesn't reimburse the currency conversion fee charged by Mastercard. If you set up direct deposits, or deposit at least $5,000 per month, you'll also earn 0.50% APY on your checking account and 4.60% on your savings account. SoFi also offers additional FDIC insurance coverage up to $2 million. But cash deposits come at a $4.95 fee, done at Green Dot locations.

Revolut

4.8
★★★★★

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Get a $10 cash reward when you first use you card on a qualifying $1+ transaction.
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Revolut is first and foremost an international debit card and app. There are no monthly fees with the Standard plan, and no minimum balance requirements. It's a multi-currency account that's designed for international spending, offering the ability to spend in over 150 currencies, and up to $1,000 allowance for free currency exchange allowances with the Standard plan. You can also use single-use virtual cards for online purchases, and gain access to its kids account Revolut <18. If you want more currency exchange allowances and more travel perks, you can consider the paid plans Premium and Metal for either $9.99 or $16.99 per month. However, the debit card fees get complicated with withdrawals, some currency exchanges will cost extra, and the customer phone support is automated.

Capital One 360 Checking

4.6
★★★★★

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Capital One 360 Checking comes with a Mastercard debit card that features no foreign transaction fees and free access to more than 39,000 ATMs. Plus, direct deposits could arrive in your account up to two days early. But if you use an out-of-network ATM, the owner of the ATM may charge you a fee.

Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking

4.8
★★★★★

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Use your Schwab Bank Contactless Visa Platinum Debit Card to make purchases abroad and withdrawals from overseas ATMs without worrying about foreign transaction fees. You can use it to swipe or tap your card at any contactless ATM and reader. Your account gets charged the US dollar equivalent, typically as calculated by the bank or network the transaction is with. While Charles Schwab doesn't charge a currency conversion fee, the network or bank might.

Betterment Checking

3.8
★★★★★

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Betterment Checking reimburses all international ATM fees and there are no foreign transaction fees. Plus you cellphone is insured if it's stolen or damaged as long as you use your debit card to pay your cellphone bill. You can also earn cashback rewards when you use your debit card at participating retailers like Walmart and Dunkin'.

Methodology: How we choose the best international debit cards

Our editorial experts research and analyze over 150 debit cards to fund ones with minimal or no charges on the following fees: international ATM fees, foreign transaction fees, and currency conversion fees. We also consider factors like monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, customer service and interest rates when choosing the best cards, particularly when choosing among those that fulfill our major requirement of few international fees.

Honorable mentions

The debit cards attached to these accounts didn’t quite make the cut for our best list. But they still offer low fees when traveling internationally that could be worth considering if they fit your specific needs.

Varo

4.7
★★★★★

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Existing and new customers get a $30 referral bonus when signing up for a Varo Bank account through April 11, 2024.
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Varo is a digital bank that's rich on features. As an account holder, you'll enjoy early paydays, free overdraft protection, access to a high-yield savings account that earns up to 5.00% APY if you meet some requirements, plus a debit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Chime® Checking Account

4.8
★★★★★

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See terms and conditions
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
*Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View the Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
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While Chime charges $2.50 on each international ATM use, it doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee while offering a few other useful perks, like the ability to get paid early and access to a savings account.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
ATMs: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
Deposit: Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime Checking Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
Mobile Deposit: Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status.
Chime Savings Account: Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account.
APY: The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of May 22, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
Get Paid Early: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
Credit Builder: The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.

Quontic Bank High Interest Checking

4.3
★★★★★

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Quontic Bank doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and offers a healthy 1.1% APY when you meet certain spending requirements. But it charges $2.75 when you use an international ATM. It also offers a unique payment method called the Pay Ring. This wearable device allows you to make secure contactless payments simply by 'knocking' your hand near a contactless payment terminal. This makes it a handy backup to your debit card when traveling abroad and you can easily deactivate the ring should you lose it.

Wise Multi-currency

3.7
★★★★★

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Wise allows you to take money out of your account twice a month at no cost, provided the amount is $100 or less. The account also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so if you don't expect to need the ATM much during your travels Wise could prove an efficient choice. And if you choose to opt into its interest feature, you could earn up to 4.33% APY.

NBKC Everything Account

4.6
★★★★★

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For making purchases abroad, you may want to look into an NBKC Everything Account, which offers a 1% foreign transaction fee. You'll also benefit from no fees at over 32,000 MoneyPass ATMs, and up to $12 refunded per month for fees from any other ATMs.

How to choose the best international debit card for you

Before you open a new travel-friendly debit card, consider the following factors to find the best option for you:

  • International ATMs. Check if the bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance, a group that allows account holders to use international ATMs with no added fees.
  • Travel insurance. Some debit cards come with complimentary travel insurance that comes in handy if you lose or misplace luggage or are confronted by a medical emergency or flight cancellation.
  • Travel rewards. Visa and Mastercard debit cards give cardholders access to a range of special global offers and promotions.
  • International money transfers. Check what options the account has for transferring money overseas — and how high the fees are.
  • Zero liability. Some cards — like Visa and Mastercard — have zero liability policies in place, so that you’re not held liable in the case of fraudulent or suspicious transactions. You should always notify your bank when you plan to leave the country. This way they can expect purchases from abroad.

Benefits of using an international debit card

  1. Access your funds anytime, anywhere. If you have a Mastercard or Visa debit card you can look forward to using your card in over 200 countries and territories across the world. You can also use your card for online transactions on international websites.
  2. Avoid fees. Depending on your card, you could save on currency conversion fees, foreign ATM fees or both.
  3. Safe way to spend your money with fraud protection. Debit cards give you a safe and secure way to access money when traveling overseas, given the multiple security layers that keep your information secure.
  4. Won’t rack up interest. Unlike a credit card, a debit card only allows you to access the cash in your checking account. This can help keep your spending in check, as you’re only spending what you actually have available in your account.
  5. Eliminates extra steps. With the right debit card, you don’t have to worry about loading foreign currency onto a travel money card, you don’t have to exchange traveler’s checks for cash and there’s no need to apply for a special travel credit card.

Drawbacks

  1. No backup. Replacing a lost or stolen debit card while traveling overseas can take up to 10 business days, and can be costly.
  2. No emergency cash. There’s no access to cash through a cash advance facility if you find yourself in trouble and in need of funds. We recommend having a credit card on hand for emergencies.
  3. Limited choice of providers. Many banks still charge hefty foreign transaction fees, so you’ll have fewer debit card choices.
  4. Can’t lock in exchange rates. Other travel money options allow you to lock in exchange rates, which can help you save if you plan ahead.

International debit card alternatives

If you’re not keen on using a debit card while traveling overseas, here are some good alternatives you could use:

  • Credit cards. Using a credit card overseas makes sense if you need to access extra funds outside of your available debit balance, which can come in handy during emergencies. They can also let you earn rewards points, cash back or frequent flyer miles. Look for a card with little to no foreign transaction fees and rewards, and keep in mind that everything you buy will need to be paid back.
  • Prepaid cards. If you’re traveling and want to stick to a budget, a prepaid card is a good option since you can only spend a preloaded amount. There are also prepaid travel cards like Revolut, that let you load multiple currencies on one card. This is particularly handy if you’re traveling to multiple places in one trip, plus you can avoid the negative impact of fluctuating exchange rates by locking the rate in at the time of loading. But you may be on the hook for international ATM fees and foreign transaction fees depending on the card.
  • Traveler’s checks. These used to be one of the most popular options, but they’re quickly fading from favor. While each check comes with a unique number and it’s not difficult to replace if lost, the bulkiness of carrying around multiple checks does not work in their favor. In addition, you have to cash these checks before you get access to funds.

What is a foreign transaction fee?

Your bank applies a foreign transaction fee whenever a currency conversion is required. For example, if you make a payment online using your US debit card on an Australian site, your bank needs to exchange USD to AUD to process the payment, so it will charge you a fee to do this. This fee is usually around 3% of the transaction value, but it varies from bank to bank.

Your bank can also charge you even more fees when you use a foreign ATM or send an overseas transfer — plus it can mark up the cost of a foreign currency and pocket the difference. Because these fees are often charged on top of one another, they can start to add up if you make regular foreign transactions.

Our guide to foreign transaction fees

What are debit cards with no foreign transaction fees?

Debit cards with no foreign transaction fees don’t charge you to spend in a foreign currency. Some accounts will also let you use foreign ATMs without paying a fee and/or transfer money internationally for free.

Can I use my debit card in another country?

When you use your debit card in another country or while shopping at an overseas store, you’ll generally pay for additional fees. You may incur fees on the following actions:

1. For purchases

Your checking account will usually charge a foreign transaction fee when you purchase something in a foreign currency. You may also have to pay a margin on the exchange rate, which means that your bank sells you foreign currency at a higher price than you’d pay elsewhere.

Debit card readers in stores and hotels can often detect that you’re using a card from another country, and they may ask to debit the purchase in US dollars rather than the local currency. While this can help you save on foreign transactions fees, it often means you’ll pay a significantly worse exchange rate, and it’s generally the more expensive option.

2. For ATM withdrawals

Avoid making frequent ATM withdrawals while traveling. Even if you have an account that does not charge for you for international ATM withdrawals, local operator fees still apply.

Your normal bank account will usually charge the following fees: Foreign ATM fee, foreign transaction fee, exchange rate markup and, in most cases, the ATM itself will charge a third-party fee. These fees can make withdrawing money at a foreign ATM very expensive.

  • Tip. If your card doesn’t waive ATM fees, save by taking out the maximum amount each time you withdraw.

Visa and Mastercard are two popular debit card issuers overseas. Discover is starting to gain traction in countries like Ireland and Canada, but it’s still not widely accepted.

Bottom line

No matter what takes you overseas, you shouldn’t be penalized for using your debit card. Use a globally accepted debit card that’s designed to help you keep more money in your pocket as you withdraw cash and make purchases overseas. As always, compare your debit card options to ensure the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefits.

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16 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JulieJanuary 24, 2019

    I’m about to obtain and load a Debit Card (Master Card Cash Passport) ready to travel from Australia to india. Can I just load it up with AUD or should I be putting in USD.

      AvatarFinder
      ValJanuary 28, 2019Finder

      Hi Julie,

      Thank you for leaving a question. For the MasterCard Cash Passport – you may lock in exchange rates each time you load and reload. Load up to 11 different currencies on one card: USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, THB, CAD, HKD, SGD, JPY, AED and AUD.

      For your question, you may either load AUD or USD whichever is more convenient.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Val

    Default Gravatar
    RAJANovember 11, 2018

    I a m planing to travell to Singapore. Will I be able to use easyshopPlatinum Debit master card of HDFC Bank for purchases And payment towards food ch and taxi fairs or I need to arrange for forex card only

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoNovember 22, 2018

      Hi Raja,

      Thanks for your inquiry and for visiting our page. You may certainly use the easyshop Platinum Debit Mastercard of HDFC Bank for purchases and payment for food, taxi fairs and etc. when you go to Singapore. Call HDFC that you will be travelling to Singapore and inform them of your travel dates so they can activate your card for international transactions. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    SizweOctober 29, 2018

    Can i withdraw money from any ATM using my South African Standard bank debit card in USA?

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynOctober 29, 2018Finder

      Hello Sizwe,

      Thank you for your comment.

      According to Standard Bank (South Africa), your card is accepted at over 30 million merchants worldwide. You may use to withdraw from ATM’s overseas, however, please note that fees may apply. Please note that you need to notify the bank in advance if you’re planning to use your card overseas so they won’t need to disturb your trip with a phone call to authenticate your purchases. You can also activate your card for overseas travel in the mobile banking app by letting the bank know your travel dates before you leave.

      To be sure, best to bring with you back up cards and cash.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    ninaOctober 2, 2018

    How much will fees cost if I withdraw from my asb debit card in Australia

      AvatarFinder
      johnbasanesOctober 3, 2018Finder

      Hi Nina,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      The ASB Bank Limited NZ has an overseas ATM withdrawal fee of $7.50. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Default Gravatar
    GeneOctober 2, 2018

    I have a child in the Philippines. I am there for a month every 6 months. WesternUnion fees are reasonable but is there a cash or debit card I can load here in the USA for my baby’s mom to use anywhere in the Philippines without those fees? And can she get cash from an ATM without paying fees? Lastly, are there common banks in both the USA and the Philippines?

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynOctober 5, 2018Finder

      Hello Gene,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Since you’re looking for a prepaid cash card or debit card, you may want to take a look at the prepaid travel money cards.

      These are the cards that you can load up, design when traveling, and can be used in different countries. I have not confirmed that this can be used in the Philippines, however, please do note that most Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Amex can be used in the said country. You can also withdraw cash through an ATM. Please do note that fees when withdrawing money will still depend on the card. The local ATM fees may apply.

      Alternatively, you may also want to take a look at the ways to send money to the Philippines.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chatbox on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

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