Do debit cards work internationally?

Travelling internationally is an opportunity to experience different cultures and learn new things. While preparing for an upcoming trip, most travelers will consider how they are going to pay for things.

There are several options that travellers can use for purchasing while travelling, including converting currency at home or on arrival or using traveller's checks. Each one has its own potential advantages and drawbacks. When it comes to using a debit card abroad, there are a few considerations to bear in mind, such as extra fees, compatibility, and security concerns. In this article, learn if debit cards work abroad, considerations if using one while travelling, and potential ways to stay safe when spending abroad.

Using debit cards abroad

Debit cards provide users with instant, 24/7 access to funds held in connected accounts based anywhere in the world. This is ideal for travellers, as it may mean they have access to the same funds wherever they go. On top of this, chip and tap to pay payments are often available across much of the world. These methods allow customers to place their card in or on a reader to pay for products, enabling quick and seamless transactions.

However, as much as debit cards provide convenience and security, they may come with extra fees and potential international incompatibility. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these, they just require a little preparation.

International acceptance

Many debit card providers are widely accepted in the US and around the world, however not all debit cards can be used internationally. Some debit card providers that are common in the US are often not found in other countries Therefore, it may be useful to check for international compatibility before travelling.

While card acceptance is becoming more widespread, consider travelling with multiple cards in case there are any issues using a debit card. If planning to use a debit card internationally, make sure to have any relevant international customer service phone numbers saved somewhere safe – not just saved on a phone – in case of any unforeseen issues.

ATM usage abroad

While debit cards may be useful when travelling, best practice is to also carry a small amount of local currency. Whether the card can withdraw money from an ATM in another country is another common concern for people travelling abroad. Most ATMs will charge foreign transaction fees — which will be either a flat fee or an additional charge of between 1-3% of the money being withdrawn¹.

These fees may potentially be sidestepped by using specific ATMs. Providers with international presences may have their ATMs in different countries, and they will often have location finder tools on their websites or apps. Larger national banks and card providers may also build relationships with foreign banks that will allow for free withdrawals. A card provider’s app and website should have information on how to find these.

Taking time to properly prepare and locate in-network ATMs before travelling is a useful way of avoiding conversion and withdrawal fees.

International fees for debit cards

The same debit card foreign transaction fees that international travellers face at ATMs may also occur when using cards to pay in other places, like shops or restaurants. These are harder to avoid, as independent vendors will not have the same agreements with banks or card providers. Some debit card providers may offer cards that don’t charge debit card international fees, so doing some research before travelling is essential.

When using debit cards abroad, it is advisable to choose to pay in the local currency to avoid the debit card currency conversion fee. This way, debit cards can sometimes provide a better exchange rate.

Safety considerations

Travelling should be a fun experience, so understanding how to pay for things while abroad is an important way of keeping trips as stress-free as possible. This means taking the time beforehand to properly prepare for every possibility.

Informing the bank

For customer safety, many banks automatically block transactions they suspect might be fraudulent. This can mean anything from not allowing a single transaction to go through to completely blocking a card, which may take some time to undo. Informing banks of any travel plans as soon as possible, either by phone or through an app or website, will stop them from cancelling any international purchases.

Card security and precautions

Physically guarding debit cards is as important abroad as it is at home. In a foreign country, having a debit card may provide a certain level of personal security as one isn’t reliant strictly on the cash they have on hand. As such, travellers tend to take extra care to keep it safe. Make sure to keep debit cards in a particularly secure pocket or in a wallet that is out of reach of others. Splitting cards up so they are not all stored in the same place may provide a backup in case a card is stolen. Using a digital wallet for payments may be useful as one wouldn’t need to carry their physical cards to make purchases.

As always, it’s important to carefully monitor transactions and report any suspicious activity as soon as possible. Sometimes people try to take advantage of tourists, so check receipts and make sure the payment amount lines up with the expected costs.

It’s possible to use a debit card to pay for things when traveling internationally. However, it’s always important to be prepared. By planning ahead and taking care with each transaction, people can avoid potential extra expenses such as foreign transaction fees or ATM withdrawals.

In smaller, more remote places, paying extra transaction fees may be unavoidable, as there may not be any in-network ATMs. Take multiple cards where possible, and store at least one somewhere safe as a backup. Remember to check with the debit card provider to learn of any potential applicable fees and verify ability to use the card abroad.

Learn about the PayPal Debit Card.