Podróżowanie za granicą should be about new experiences, not watching your holiday budżet disappear into bank fees and poor exchange rates. Yet for millions of travellers using traditional banks, that’s exactly what happens—often without them even realising it.
The good news? In 2025, a handful of smart apps can slash your overseas spending costs to almost zero. Whether you’re heading overseas for a long weekend in Barcelona or spending three months bouncing between Bali and Bangkok, choosing the right multi-currency wallet or travel money app makes all the difference.
This guide breaks down exactly how to avoid foreign transaction fees, sidestep expensive ATM charges, and get the best possible exchange rate on every purchase abroad. We’ll compare the leading apps, explain the hidden fees that catch most travellers out, and give you practical setups for different travel styles.
Quick Answer: Best Apps to Use in 2025
Using the right multi-currency apps in 2025 can almost eliminate foreign transaction fees and ATM charges for UK, EU, US, and Australian travellers. While traditional banks still charge 2.75%–3% on every overseas transaction, these fintech alternatives offer fee free spending and competitive exchange rates that save you real money.
Top picks for 2025:
| Aplikacja | Najlepsze dla | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Overall value | Mid-market exchange rate with transparent, low fees |
| Revolut | Variety of features | Multi-currency holding, budgeting tools, wide coverage |
| Monzo (UK) | Everyday card payments | 0% FX fees on spending, simple interface |
| Starling (UK) | Fee-free spending abroad | No foreign transaction fees on purchases or withdrawals |
| Curve | Layering on existing cards | Use your existing cards with better FX |
| N26 (EU) | European travellers | Solid free tier with no FX markup |
| Chase UK | UK-based travellers | No fees abroad, 1% cashback |
For card payments abroad, Monzo, Starling, and Chase UK offer genuinely fee-free spending. For cash withdrawals, Wise provides a free ATM allowance before percentage fees kick in, while Revolut offers similar limits but applies weekend markups on currency exchange.
Traditional high-street banks in the UK still charge around 2.75%–3% in foreign transaction fees, plus separate ATM withdrawal fees and Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) markups. That’s before the local cash machine even charges you its own fee.
The rest of this article breaks down fees, weekend markups, ATM strategies, and app-by-app comparisons—written primarily for readers in the UK and other major English-speaking markets.
What Are Foreign Transaction Fees – And How Much Do They Cost in 2025?
Foreign transaction fees are the percentage charge your bank or app adds when you pay in a currency different from your card’s “home” currency. Every time you tap your UK bank card in France or your US card in Japan, this fee quietly applies.
Typical ranges in 2025:
- UK high-street banks: 2.75%–3% per purchase or cash withdrawal
- US banks: 2%–3% (though some premium cards waive this)
- Premium travel cards and neo-banks: 0%
Here’s what catches most people: three separate layers can apply on a single overseas transaction.
- Foreign transaction fee – your bank’s percentage charge
- FX markup – the difference between the rate you get and the mid-market rate
- Local ATM/operator fees – flat charges from the cash machine itself
Concrete example: You spend £1,000 on a week’s holiday in Spain using a standard UK bank debit card with a 2.99% foreign transaction fee. That’s roughly £30 gone before you’ve even thought about cash. Add a few ATM withdrawals at €3 each, and you’re looking at £40–£50 in unnecessary fees.
Many “travel credit cards” like Halifax Clarity or Barclaycard Rewards waive FX fees on purchases—which sounds great. But they often charge interest on cash withdrawals from day one, plus potential conversion fees. Always read the small print before assuming any card is truly “free.”
Hidden Charges When Paying and Withdrawing Abroad
The sticker price is rarely the full cost. Hidden fees are often buried in the small print or embedded in the exchange rate itself—and they can add 3%–7% on top of normal spending if you use the wrong card or select the wrong on-screen option.
Common hidden costs to watch for:
- Non-sterling transaction fees – often listed separately from the “foreign transaction fee”
- Cash advance fees on credit cards – many credit cards treat ATM withdrawals as cash advances, charging 3%–5% upfront plus interest from day one
- Local ATM surcharges – typically €2–€6 per withdrawal in Europe, $3–$7 in the US
- Poor FX rates via Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – when you accept conversion to your home currency at the machine or till
- Weekend and off-market rate markups – many apps add 0.5%–1.5% when FX markets are closed
Before travelling, check your card or app’s tariff page (make sure it’s updated for 2025). Focus specifically on:
- “Non-sterling transaction fee”
- “Cash withdrawal fee” or “ATM fee abroad”
- “ATM usage abroad” terms
- Weekend markup policies
The dedicated ATM section later in this article covers specific strategies for avoiding these charges at the machine itself.
How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees on Card Payments Abroad
The easiest saving comes from card payments—restaurants, hotels, shops—where you can often achieve 0% FX with the right app and a few good habits.
Choose an app or card with:
- 0% foreign transaction fees on purchases
- FX at or close to the mid-market rate
- No or low weekend markup (ideally 0% midweek, ≤0.5% at weekends)
- Visa or Mastercard sieć for strong global acceptance
Recommended options by region:
| Region | Best Options |
|---|---|
| UK/EU | Wise, Revolut, Monzo, Starling, N26, Curve |
| USA | Wise, Revolut (where available), dedicated no-FX credit cards |
| Australia/NZ | Wise, Revolut, ING Orange Everyday, Macquarie Transaction Account |
Always Pay in the Local Currency
This is the single most important rule for overseas spending. When a card machine or ATM asks whether you want to pay in your home currency or the local currency, always choose the local currency.
Dynamic Currency Conversion DCC is where merchants or ATMs offer to convert your purchase into your home currency “for convenience.” In reality, they apply their own terrible exchange rate—typically 5%–7% worse than you’d get otherwise. This additional cost goes straight to the merchant or ATM operator.
Every time you see “Pay in GBP?” or “Convert to USD?” on screen, decline it. Choose the country’s currency instead.
Turn on instant notifications in your banking app so you can immediately see the local amount, the converted amount, and spot any unexpected additional fees.
Weekend Exchange Rate Markups Explained
FX markets close late Friday evening and don’t reopen until late Sunday (London time). During this period, many banks and apps add a temporary cushion to their rates to cover potential currency movements—and you pay for that cushion.
Typical weekend markups in 2025:
- Revolut: 0.5%–1% extra on most currencies at weekends
- Wise: Generally lower weekend markup, but still applies to some pairs
- Traditional banks: Often use a fixed “tourist rate” all week that’s already marked up
Przykład: You convert £500 to EUR on a Saturday using Revolut. With a 1% weekend markup, you receive roughly €5–€6 less than if you’d converted on Tuesday.
Strategies to minimise weekend costs:
- Pre-convert a modest amount during weekdays if you know you’ll spend heavily on Saturday and Sunday
- Avoid speculative large conversions far in advance unless you understand rate risk
- Check your app’s specific weekend policy before making big exchanges
Some digital wallets like Curve act as a “meta-card” that passes through your underlying bank’s rate without adding additional weekend FX fees—but your underlying cards may still have their own rules.
Best Apps for Money Conversion and Spending Abroad in 2025
This section provides a practical comparison of leading travel money apps, focusing on FX cost, ATM rules, and ease of use for everyday travellers.
Wise
Wise (formerly TransferWise) built its reputation on transparent pricing and the real exchange rate. The app uses the mid-market rate—the same rate you see on Google or XE—with a small, visible fee on top.
- FX: Mid-market rate, no hidden markup
- Card payments abroad: 0% foreign transaction fees
- ATM withdrawals: 2 free withdrawals per month up to £200 (or equivalent), then 1.75% fee
- Weekend policy: Small markup on some currency pairs, but generally lower than competitors
Wise is particularly strong for międzynarodowy transfers—you can hold balances in 40+ currencies and receive money like a local in several countries. The Wise card works almost anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Revolut
Revolut positions itself as a financial “super-app” with over 60 million customers worldwide. Beyond currency exchange, it offers budgeting tools, bill splitting, savings vaults, and even crypto trading.
- FX: Interbank rate on weekdays; 0.5%–1% markup at weekends
- Card payments abroad: 0% on the free tier up to a monthly limit (currently ~£1,000), then 0.5%
- ATM withdrawals: Free up to £200/month on the free plan, then 2% fee
- Fair usage: Higher-tier plans offer larger free allowances
Revolut suits travellers who want greater control over their finances with features like instant spending analytics. Just be aware of the weekend markup and monthly limits on the free tier.
Monzo (UK)
Monzo is a UK-based digital bank with a distinctive coral card and a reputation for simplicity. It’s particularly popular among younger travellers.
- FX: Mastercard exchange rate with no additional markup
- Card payments abroad: 0% foreign transaction fees
- ATM withdrawals: Free up to £400 every 30 days abroad, then 3%
- Weekend policy: No additional weekend markup
For UK travellers who want a straightforward, fee-free experience for card payments and reasonable ATM access, Monzo is a convenient choice.
Starling (UK)
Starling is another UK digital bank offering genuinely fee-free overseas spending. It’s often considered Monzo’s main competitor.
- FX: Mastercard exchange rate, no markup
- Card payments abroad: 0% foreign transaction fees
- ATM withdrawals: No Starling fee on withdrawals (local operator fees may still apply)
- Weekend policy: No additional weekend markup
Przykład: Paying €100 at a restaurant in Spain with Starling costs you exactly the Mastercard exchange rate equivalent in GBP—currently around £86. The same payment with a typical UK high-street debit card charging 2.99% would cost you roughly £88.50. That’s £2.50 saved on a single meal.
Curve
Curve works differently—it’s a “meta-card” that sits on top of your existing debit or credit cards. You link your existing cards to the Curve app, then use the Curve card abroad. It applies its own FX rate and lets you przełącznik which underlying card is charged even after the transaction.
- FX: Interbank rate up to £500/month on the free tier, then 2%
- Card payments abroad: Uses Curve’s rate, not your underlying card’s
- ATM withdrawals: Free up to £200/month, then 2%
- Weekend policy: No additional markup (uses weekday’s closing rate)
Curve is useful for earning rewards on an underlying card while avoiding that card’s poor FX rate abroad.
N26 (EU)
N26 is a German digital bank available across the EU. It’s particularly popular among Europeans and expats living in eurozone countries.
- FX: Mastercard rate with no additional markup
- Card payments abroad: 0% within the eurozone; 0% outside on the Smart/You plans, 1.7% on the free tier
- ATM withdrawals: 3 free per month in the eurozone (free tier), varies outside
- Weekend policy: No additional weekend markup
For EU-based travellers, N26 offers lower fees than traditional banks across the continent.
Chase UK
Chase launched in the UK in 2021 and quickly became popular for its combination of 1% cashback and no-fee overseas spending.
- FX: Mastercard rate, no additional markup
- Card payments abroad: 0% foreign transaction fees
- ATM withdrawals: No Chase fee (local operator fees may apply)
- Cashback: 1% on all spending for the first 12 months
For UK residents, Chase UK offers the rare combination of cashback and fee-free overseas use—making it excellent for both daily banking and travel.
How to Choose
- Prioritise fee-free card payments? Monzo, Starling, or Chase UK
- Need strong ATM allowances? Wise or Starling
- Want multi-currency holding and transfers? Wise or Revolut
- Based in the EU? N26 or Revolut
- Want to layer on existing cards? Curve
How to Avoid Cash Machine (ATM) Charges Abroad
ATMs are where many travellers overpay. The combination of bank fees, ATM surcharges, and DCC can turn a simple cash withdrawal into an expensive mistake. With a smart card and a few rules, you can cut these costs dramatically.
Common ATM fees you’ll encounter:
| Fee Type | Typical Amount | Who Charges It |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank/app’s withdrawal fee | 0%–3% or flat fee | Your card provider |
| Local ATM operator surcharge | €2–€6 / $3–$7 | The ATM owner |
| FX markup | 1%–3% | Your card provider |
| Dynamic Currency Conversion | 5%–8% | ATM operator |
How to minimise ATM costs:
- Use cards with free ATM allowances – Wise, Revolut, Monzo, Starling, and N26 all offer monthly limits for free withdrawals abroad
- Choose major bank ATMs – Avoid independent ATMs like Euronet, Travelex, or Cardtronics. These often charge higher fees and aggressively push DCC. Bank-branded machines inside actual bank branches typically have lower cost or no surcharge
- Always choose the local currency – When the screen asks “Withdraw in GBP?” or “Convert to your home currency?”, decline. This avoids the DCC markup entirely
- Withdraw larger amounts less often – If a fixed €3 fee applies per withdrawal, it’s better to take €300 once than €100 three times. Balance this against safety and your budget
In some destinations—Thailand, parts of the US, and South America—ATM surcharges are almost unavoidable. Local machines commonly charge 200–250 baht (roughly £5–6) or $3–5 regardless of your card. The best you can do is avoid extra bank and DCC charges on top by using a low-fee travel card.
Best Practices for Using ATMs Abroad in 2025
Here’s a practical checklist for before you travel and at the machine itself.
Before Departure
- Check your daily and monthly ATM limits – raise them temporarily through your app if needed
- Set up strong authentication – biometric login, PIN protection, and live spend alerts
- Take at least two different cards – e.g., Wise plus your home bank account debit card, in case one is utracony, skradziony, or blocked
- Know your card’s fee structure – exactly how much free ATM withdrawal you have and what fees apply after
At the ATM
- Choose machines inside or attached to major bank branches during working hours where possible—they’re safer and typically have lower fees
- Decline any on-screen offer to charge in your home currency – this is DCC, and it always costs more
- Read any surcharge message carefully – if the fee looks excessive, cancel and try another ATM nearby
- Cover your PIN – card skimming still exists, even at legitimate machines
Budgeting Your Cash Needs
- Plan rough cash requirements in advance, especially for cash-heavy countries like Japan, Vietnam, or parts of Southern Europe
- Prefer card payments for larger sums where your travel card offers 0% FX
- Keep small emergency cash in a major currency (USD or EUR) as backup, but rely primarily on low-fee apps
Use your app’s instant freeze/unfreeze feature if anything seems suspicious—a few taps can block your card immediately while you investigate.
How Travel Wallets and Multi-Currency Cards Compare
“Travel cards” now range from simple prepaid cards to full multi-currency wallets with local bank account details. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right tool.
Main Types
| Type | Examples | Najlepsze dla |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-currency debit cards | Wise, Revolut, N26, Monzo, Starling | Flexible spending and holding multiple currencies |
| Prepaid travel cards | Caxton, Post Office, airline/supermarket cards | Strict budgeting, locking in rates |
| Digital wallet overlays | Curve, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Layering on existing cards |
Multi-Currency Wallets
These let you hold balances in multiple foreign currency accounts—EUR, USD, AUD, and more. You can convert money when rates look favourable and spend from that balance later with no further FX.
Mocne strony:
- Mid-market or close-to-mid-market exchange rates
- Simple switching between currencies inside the app
- Often include local bank account details for receiving wire transfer płatności
- Lower fees than traditional banks for international transfers
Prepaid Travel Cards
Prepaid cards from the post office, supermarkets, or specialist providers let you load money before you travel, often at a locked-in rate.
Mocne strony:
- Good for rigid budgeting—you can only spend what you’ve loaded
- Some offer rate protection if you load in advance
- Useful backup card
Weaknesses:
- May have reloading fees, inactivity fees, or poor exchange rates compared to Wise/Revolut
- Less flexibility than app-based alternatives
- Often missing online shopping and digital wallet integration
Digital Wallets
Apple Pay and Google Pay let you use your Wise, Revolut, or bank cards through your phone or watch. Curve acts as an intermediary—you tap your Curve card (physical or via Apple Pay/Google Pay), and Curve charges your chosen underlying card.
For most travellers in 2025, a multi-currency debit card or app-based bank with 0% FX on spending plus limited free ATM use is the most flexible and cost effective option. Prepaid cards work as backup for those who want greater control over a fixed holiday budget.
Example Setups for Different Traveller Types
Here’s how to combine apps and cards to minimise fees for different travel scenarios.
UK City-Break Traveller: 4 Days in Europe
Setup:
- Main card: Monzo or Starling for everyday payments (0% FX)
- Kopia zapasowa: Wise card for ATM withdrawals up to the free allowance
- Emergency: Home bank debit or credit card (kept in hotel safe)
Estimated savings: On £800 holiday spending with a traditional UK bank charging 2.99% FX, you’d pay roughly £24 in fees. With Monzo/Starling, you pay £0—saving enough for a nice dinner.
Digital Nomad: 3 Months in Europe and Asia
Setup:
- Main account: Wise or Revolut for receiving salary in multiple currencies and multi currency wallets management
- Secondary: Local bank account where available (useful for recurring local payments)
- ATM strategy: Withdraw larger amounts less frequently, use major banks only, always decline DCC
Estimated annual savings: A nomad spending £2,000/month abroad with a standard bank card (2.99% FX + ATM fees) might pay £800+ annually in hidden fees. With Wise/Revolut and smart ATM habits, this drops to under £100.
US-Based Parent: Supporting a Student Abroad
Setup:
- Transfer method: Wise for money transfers from USD to EUR or GBP (more competitive exchange rates than bank wire transfer)
- Student receives: Multi-currency wallet with Wise or Revolut
- Student spends: Associated debit or credit card abroad with 0% FX and controlled ATM withdrawal limits
Estimated savings: Sending $500/month via traditional bank wire with poor FX rates might cost $30–40 monthly in combined fees. Wise typically charges $5–10 for the same transfer—saving $200–300 annually.
Final Tips for Smarter Overseas Spending and Cash Access
Three key levers control your overseas costs:
- Choose the right app – 0% foreign transaction fees, mid-market rates, free ATM allowances
- Always pay in local currency – never accept DCC at ATMs or card machines
- Minimise ATM interaction with bad machines – avoid independent operators, stick to bank branches
Before every overseas trip, check your provider’s 2025 fee schedule. FX fees, free ATM limits, and weekend markups can change annually or by plan tier. What worked last year might not be the same way this year.
Do a “test” small transaction before travelling—an online shopping purchase in a foreign currency, for example—to confirm how fees appear in your app’s statement. Better to discover a surprise fee while sitting at home than at a restaurant in Rome.
The most robust setup for many countries combines:
- A fee-free credit card for large purchases with purchase protection (flights, hotels)
- A low-fee multi-currency debit card for day-to-day spending and cash
A few minutes of planning can easily save £50–£200 on a typical one-week holiday. For frequent travellers and digital nomads, annual savings run into the hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
The apps exist. The competitive rate options are there. The only question is whether you’ll spend those savings on experiences—or hand them over to your bank in common pitfalls and conversion fees.
