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When you use your debit card abroad, you'll probably have to pay a foreign transaction fee.
There are two main types of foreign transaction fees: one for buying something with your debit card, and one for using an ATM abroad.
Debit card issuers Visa and Mastercard both charge 1% foreign transaction fees. Many institutions require you to cover this fee, and some charge an extra percentage on top of that. For an ATM transaction, some banks charge the fee they'd normally impose for using an out-of-network ATM fee on top of the normal percentage they charge for foreign transactions.
Other institutions take care of the debit card issuer fees for you. That's why some accounts charge a foreign transaction fee, and others don't.
See Insider's picks for the best banks for international travel »
Banks with no debit card foreign transaction fees
| Company | Next steps |
| Betterment | |
| Capital One 360 | |
| Charles Schwab | |
| Chime | |
| Discover | |
| Robinhood | |
| Varo |
*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
Betterment
Your
Capital One 360
Capital One doesn't charge a fee for international purchases or ATM withdrawals if you use a debit card attached to a 360 account, such as
Capital One won't reimburse fees charged by a foreign ATM provider.
Charles Schwab
The
Chime
You won't pay foreign transaction fees with your
Discover
You don't have to pay any fees on foreign purchases or ATM transactions with a
Robinhood
The
Varo
You won't pay a foreign transaction fee on debit card purchases with your
Debit card foreign transaction fees at other banks
| Company | Foreign debit card purchase fee | Foreign ATM withdrawal fee | Next steps |
| Alliant Credit Union | 1% | 1%, reimburses up to $20/month | |
| Ally | Up to 1% | Up to 1% | |
| Axos | 1% | 1%, reimbursed for some accounts | |
| Bank of America | 3% | 3% + $5 | |
| Chase | 3% | 3% + $5 (or $3 for balance inquiry), waived for some accounts | |
| CIT Bank | 1% | 1% | |
| Citibank | 3% | 3% + $2.50 | |
| HSBC Bank | 3%, waived for some accounts | 3%, waived for some accounts | |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 1% | 1% + $1 | |
| PNC Bank | 3% | 3% + $5 | |
| SoFi | 0.2% | 0.2% | |
| TD Bank | 3% | 3% | |
| U.S. Bank | Up to 3% | Up to 3% + $2.50 | |
| USAA | 1% | 1% | |
| Wealthfront | 2.75% | 2.75% + $2.50 | |
| Wells Fargo | 3% | $5 |
Foreign transaction fee FAQs
What is a normal foreign transaction fee?
A normal foreign transaction fee is around 1% to 3%. Visa and Mastercard each charge 1% for a purchase abroad, and a bank may add a charge on top of that. If you withdraw money from a foreign ATM, you may pay an additional out-of-network ATM fee.
What is a 3% foreign transaction fee?
A foreign transaction fee is a charge by your bank and debit card issuer for using your card abroad, and it often goes up to 3%.
Do all Visa cards have a foreign transaction fee?
Yes, Visa charges 1% for all foreign transactions. However, some financial institutions cover this charge for you so you don't pay a foreign transaction fee.
How can I avoid overseas transaction fees?
To avoid overseas transaction fees, choose a bank that doesn't charge customers these fees. Or open a premium account that waives foreign transaction fees, such as
Which bank has no foreign transaction fee?
Betterment, Capital One 360, Charles Schwab, Chime, Discover, Robinhood, and Varo do not charge foreign transaction fees.