✓ Updated May 2026 · 4 best cards for abroad compared

Best Credit Card for Abroad 2026: Pay Worldwide Without Fees

Using the wrong credit card abroad can cost you 2–3% on every transaction. In this guide we compare the 4 best Dutch credit cards for international use: no foreign transaction fees, favourable exchange rates and smart ATM cash withdrawal options.

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Why your card choice matters abroad

Most Dutch people travel with their regular bank card — and most overpay as a result. Traditional Dutch bank credit cards from ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank typically add a 1.5% to 2.5% foreign transaction fee on every non-euro purchase. On a two-week trip spending €2,000 abroad, that is €30–50 in unnecessary fees that better cards charge nothing for.

Beyond the percentage surcharge, some issuers use a less favourable exchange rate than the published Visa or Mastercard reference rate, adding a further hidden markup. Then there are ATM fees, which can range from €1.50 to €5 per withdrawal at many Dutch banks. For frequent travellers, switching to the right card can easily save hundreds of euros per year.

The best cards for abroad in 2026 are digital-first: Revolut Standard, N26 Smart, Bunq Easy Card and Flying Blue AMEX Gold each offer specific advantages depending on whether you travel within Europe or further afield, how often you use ATMs, and whether travel insurance is important to you.

Quick Comparison — Best Cards Abroad 2026
Card FX Fee ATM Free Insurance Score
Revolut Standard 0%* €200/mo No ★★★★★
N26 Smart Mastercard 0% Free No ★★★★☆
Bunq Easy Card 0.5% Fee applies No ★★★☆☆
Flying Blue AMEX Gold Low Fee applies Yes ★★★★☆
* 0% on weekdays; 1% surcharge at weekends for currency exchange.

The 4 Best Cards for International Use in 2026

Revolut Standard
REVOLUT

Revolut Standard

★★★★★ 5/5
0% FX Weekdays Free card
Free
€0 per year
  • ✦150+ currencies at interbank rate
  • ✦€200/mo free ATM withdrawals
  • ✦Instant transaction notifications
  • ✦Freeze card instantly in app
Pros
✓Best FX rates in the market
✓Free — zero annual cost
✓Free ATM withdrawals up to €200/mo
Cons
✗1% weekend FX surcharge
✗No travel insurance
✗€1,000/mo exchange limit (free tier)

Revolut Standard is the undisputed winner for budget-conscious travellers. With support for 150+ currencies and the real interbank exchange rate on weekdays, it saves you money on every transaction abroad. The €200/month free ATM allowance covers most holiday needs. The app's real-time notifications and instant card freeze make it one of the safest travel cards available.

⚡ View Revolut on SmartCreditcard
N26 Smart Mastercard
N26

N26 Smart Mastercard

★★★★☆ 4/5
0% FX Always Mastercard
€59/yr
0% FX surcharge
  • ✦0% FX surcharge 7 days a week
  • ✦Free ATM withdrawals worldwide
  • ✦European banking licence
  • ✦Account open in 10 minutes
Pros
✓No weekend FX surcharge
✓Free ATM withdrawals
✓No exchange limit
Cons
✗€4.90/month fee
✗No travel insurance

N26 Smart beats Revolut on one crucial point: there is no weekend FX surcharge. If you travel on weekends or prefer not to time your currency exchanges, N26 Smart offers a consistently better deal. At €4.90/month it costs slightly more, but for frequent travellers who use ATMs often, the savings on withdrawal fees and FX spreads quickly exceed the monthly cost.

⚡ View N26 on SmartCreditcard
Bunq Easy Card
BUNQ

Bunq Easy Card

★★★☆☆ 3/5
Credit-BIN Mastercard
Free
0.5% outside eurozone
  • ✦Credit-BIN accepted at car rental
  • ✦Free within eurozone
  • ✦Dutch fintech — local support
  • ✦1 tree planted per €1,000 spent
Pros
✓Credit-BIN for car rental/hotels
✓Free in eurozone
✓Dutch banking licence (DNB)
Cons
✗0.5% surcharge outside eurozone
✗ATM withdrawal fees

Bunq Easy Card is the only free card in the Netherlands with a credit-BIN number — meaning it starts with a BIN code recognised by car rental companies and hotels as a credit card. This makes it uniquely valuable for travellers who need to block a deposit. Within the eurozone it is completely free; outside Europe a modest 0.5% surcharge applies.

⚡ View Bunq on SmartCreditcard
AMERICAN EXPRESS

Flying Blue AMEX Gold

★★★★☆ 4/5
AMEX KLM Miles
€149/yr
Miles + travel insurance
  • ✦1.5 Flying Blue miles per €1 spent
  • ✦Travel accident insurance
  • ✦Accepted at 85% of Dutch merchants
  • ✦No FX surcharge on AMEX rate
Pros
✓Earn KLM miles on all spending
✓Travel insurance included
✓Charge card — no interest
Cons
✗€149 annual fee
✗AMEX not accepted everywhere
✗High cash advance fees

For frequent KLM flyers, the Flying Blue AMEX Gold turns every euro spent abroad into miles. The card includes travel accident insurance and offers AMEX's competitive exchange rates on foreign transactions. As a charge card, you must pay the full balance each month — making interest impossible. Best for those who travel often and value rewards over low fees.

⚡ View Flying Blue AMEX on SmartCreditcard

Tips for Using Your Card Abroad

Always pay in local currency

When a card terminal abroad offers you the choice of paying in euros (Dynamic Currency Conversion), always select the local currency. DCC rates are typically 3–7% worse than your card's own FX rate. This is one of the most common and avoidable ways travellers lose money abroad. If the terminal automatically selects euros, ask the merchant to cancel and reprocess in the local currency.

ATM strategy abroad

Avoid airport and tourist-area ATMs where possible — they often charge high fees and offer poor exchange rates. Use ATMs belonging to major local banks. With Revolut Standard, withdraw up to €200 per month for free. With N26 Smart, withdrawals are free at standard ATMs. Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to euros (again, this is DCC).

Security tips for international travel

Enable push notifications in your card app so you receive an alert for every transaction. Use contactless payments wherever possible — this reduces the risk of card skimming. If your card is lost or stolen, freeze it immediately via the app. Revolut and N26 both offer instant freeze/unfreeze. Carry a backup card from a different network (e.g. Visa + Mastercard) so you are never left without means of payment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Cards Abroad

What are foreign transaction fees on credit cards?+
Foreign transaction fees (also called currency surcharges) are extra charges applied when you make a payment in a currency other than euros. Traditional Dutch bank credit cards typically charge 1.5% to 2.5% on every non-euro transaction. On top of this, some issuers add a less favourable exchange rate. Cards like Revolut Standard and N26 Smart eliminate these surcharges entirely, using the interbank exchange rate.
Which card is best for holidays in Europe?+
Within the eurozone any credit card works without currency surcharges since all payments are in euros. The main costs to watch are ATM withdrawal fees. Revolut Standard offers up to €200 free ATM withdrawals per month, and N26 Smart also provides free withdrawals. Bunq Easy Card charges no surcharge on euro transactions. For European travel, any of these three free or low-cost cards is an excellent choice.
What is the best card for withdrawing cash abroad?+
Revolut Standard allows up to €200 in free cash withdrawals per month worldwide, after which a 2% fee applies. N26 Smart includes free withdrawals at standard Mastercard ATMs. The best strategy abroad is always to pay by card wherever possible and only withdraw cash at bank ATMs — never airport or tourist-area currency exchange kiosks.
Can I use my Dutch credit card in the USA?+
Yes, Visa and Mastercard credit cards from Dutch issuers are accepted almost everywhere in the USA. American Express is also widely accepted in the US. The key issue is the currency surcharge: with a traditional Dutch bank card you pay an extra 1.5–2.5% on every dollar transaction. With Revolut Standard you exchange up to €1,000/month at the real rate for free.
Should I pay in euros or local currency abroad?+
Always pay in the local currency. When a terminal abroad offers you the choice to pay in euros (Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC), always decline and pay in the local currency. DCC applies a very unfavourable exchange rate — typically 3–7% worse than the interbank rate. Your Dutch bank or card provider will convert at a better rate.
Does my Dutch credit card work for online purchases in foreign currencies?+
Yes. Any Visa or Mastercard credit card works for online purchases in foreign currencies. The exchange rate applied depends on your card issuer. Traditional bank cards typically add 1.5–2.5% above the Visa or Mastercard reference rate. Revolut charges 0% on weekdays and 1% at weekends. N26 Smart charges 0% always. For frequent international online shoppers, switching to a low-FX card can save significant money.
Is my credit card safe to use abroad?+
Modern credit cards with chip-and-PIN are very safe to use abroad. For extra security: enable transaction notifications in your card app, use contactless payments where possible (reduces skimming risk), and freeze your card instantly via the app if lost or stolen. Revolut and N26 apps allow you to freeze and unfreeze your card instantly.
What is the best credit card for travelling to non-eurozone countries?+
For countries outside the eurozone (UK, USA, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, etc.) the best options in the Netherlands are Revolut Standard (0% FX up to €1,000/month on weekdays) and N26 Smart (0% FX always). Both use the real interbank exchange rate. Flying Blue AMEX Gold and Revolut Premium also offer excellent FX rates with additional travel benefits.
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