Using your card abroad

Charges and rates
Charges for using your debit card
Charges for using your credit card
Reporting your card lost or stolen when abroad

Charges and rates

When buying things abroad with your credit or debit card, there are certain charges and rates to keep in mind.

We may contact you about transactions and advise you on charges.

Charges for using your debit card abroad

If you use your debit card abroad, there are fees depending on how you use the card:

Transactions in other currencies (not GBP)

2.75% of the transaction

To get an indication of the exchange rate you may receive and the cost of your transaction, use the exchange rate calculator and enter 2.75% in the bank fee box on the VISA website

For certain European countries you will also see the European Central Bank exchange rate and the percentage difference between The Co-operative Bank rate and the European Central Bank exchange rate. This will help you to compare the cost of using different providers.

There may be additional charges from the bank, retailer or cash machine where you use your card - you should be told of these before you make the transaction.

Charges for using your credit card abroad

If you use your credit card abroad, there are fees depending on how you use the card:

Transactions in other currencies (not GBP)

2.75% of the transaction

To get an indication of the exchange rate you may receive and the cost of your transaction, use the exchange rate calculator and enter 2.75% in the bank fee box on the VISA website.

You'll see the European Central Bank exchange rate and any fees they add on top in the calculator results. This is help you compare the cost of using different providers

There may be additional charges from the bank, retailer or cash machine where you use your card - you should be told of these before you make the transaction.

Withdrawing cash abroad

3% of the cash you withdraw (minimum £3), on top of the 2.75% transaction fee above

This fee applies when you use your credit card to withdraw cash at:

VISA or PLUS cash machines
over the counter at a bank or Bureau de Change displaying the VISA sign.

This fee doesn't apply to the Clear Card.

There may be additional charges from the bank, retailer or cash machine where you use your card - you should be told of these before you make the transaction.

Buying foreign currency in the United Kingdom

3% of the currency you buy (minimum £3)

This fee applies when you use your credit card to buy foreign currency at:

Post Offices
Bureau de Change
Travel agents.

All currencies will be exchanged using the VISA Exchange Rate which can be checked on the VISA website.

There may be additional charges from the bank, retailer or cash machine where you use your card - you should be told of these before you make the transaction.

The way the merchant processes the transaction may result in a fee being applied to your account. If this happens please contact us.