Which bank card should you use when traveling abroad from France: how to choose?

Are you looking for the ideal card for your next trip abroad from France? Your bank advisor might suggest an interesting option, but whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard, most traditional banks apply commissions on withdrawals and payments made outside the eurozone.

So, how can you avoid excessive bank fees? A simple solution could be a multi-currency card. The Wise card lets you pay for free in currencies you already hold in your account, and if you don’t, it converts them at the mid-market exchange rate.

Discover the Wise card

Which cards to choose for traveling abroad?

Where to find an international card?

You can get an international bank card through your bank or via a payment platform like Wise.

To find the right option, you have two main choices:

• Visit your branch: Ask your advisor for an overview of the available international cards. Explain your travel habits and typical spending, and they’ll recommend the best fit.
• Search online: Most banks list card options on their websites. Take time to compare their features and conditions.

Traditional bank cards are usually linked to a “single-currency” account — for example, in euros, dollars, or Swiss francs.

If you travel frequently outside the eurozone, this type of card may not be the best option, as you’ll pay fees for every conversion.

Some high-end cards include partial or full fee exemptions, but these cards often come with high annual fees.

What is a multi-currency card?

A multi-currency card is linked to an account that lets you hold several currencies at once. You can spend directly from these balances without conversion.

The Wise card, for example, offers competitive exchange rates and lets you pay in pounds, euros, or dollars without fees if you already hold those currencies.

If you don’t, Wise converts your money at the mid-market rate — not the marked-up rates used by most traditional banks.

How to choose your card for traveling abroad?

What are your needs?

The ideal card depends on how you spend. Here are some features to consider:

• Immediate or deferred debit: Immediate debit helps you track spending in real time. Deferred debit offers short-term credit — useful in case of emergencies.
• Payment and withdrawal limits: Higher-tier cards usually offer higher limits.
• Insurance coverage: Theft, cancellation, accidents, medical costs, repatriation, ski rescue, and more.
• Withdrawal/payment fees: Some premium cards may offer free payments or withdrawals abroad (excluding currency conversion).
• 24/7 customer service and card blocking.
• Cashback programs: Some cards refund a small percentage of your spending.

Not every card offers all these perks. The more you pay in annual fees, the more benefits you tend to receive.

Keep in mind that some premium cards require a minimum income level to qualify.

What exchange rate is used?

Banks rarely disclose which exchange rate they apply for foreign transactions.

In the best case, they’ll use the Visa or Mastercard rate. Otherwise, they apply their own rate — typically the card network’s rate plus a markup.

In both cases, the rate is less favorable than the mid-market rate, so you pay more overall.

Bank fees for payments abroad

Banks usually charge extra for payments made abroad. Fee structures vary between institutions.

Some apply a percentage of the transaction amount, while others add a fixed fee. In general, payments abroad are slightly cheaper than withdrawals.

ATM withdrawals often include both fixed and variable components, and the foreign bank operating the ATM may also apply a usage fee.

These fees don’t include the exchange rate markup, which adds another layer of cost.

And beware of dynamic currency conversion (DCC): if an ATM offers to charge you in euros instead of local currency, decline it. The exchange rate is usually far worse than your bank’s.

How to get your Wise international bank card?

The process to get a Wise card is quick and simple:

1. Open a Wise account: Sign up on the Wise website, choose your currency, and upload the required documents (ID and proof of address).
2. Order your card: After verification, deposit €20 (or the equivalent) into your account. Wise will then send your card.
3. Activate your card: Log into your Wise account and enter the 6-digit code printed on the card.
4. View your PIN: Once activated, your PIN will be available in your account.
5. Start using your card!

The Wise card delivery fee is €7.

How does it work?

The Wise card lets you pay and withdraw cash almost anywhere worldwide.

The account linked to the card supports 40+ different currencies.
If, for example, you already hold pounds sterling, you can pay in the UK without extra fees.

How much does it cost?

The Wise card is free to use (excluding the one-time delivery fee). There’s no subscription or annual charge.

You can spend for free in any currency you hold. If conversion is needed, it’s done at the mid-market rate, with a small transparent fee — usually under 1% for major currencies.

Your first two ATM withdrawals per month (up to €200 total) are free. After that, a fee of 1.75% + €0.50 per withdrawal applies.

Can I use my Wise card without fees after my trip?

Yes — and that’s one of the advantages of the Wise card.
When you return to France, you can continue paying in euros without fees. The card automatically converts just the amount needed for each transaction.

Cards from traditional banks work abroad too, but usually with extra costs per transaction.

If you want to save money, the Wise card could be a good option: it supports multiple currencies, applies low conversion fees, and uses the mid-market rate.

You can also get a Wise virtual card to shop online securely from France or abroad.

Request your Wise card

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.