Can I use my HSBC debit card abroad?

If you’re planning an overseas trip, you’ll need to find the cheapest and most convenient way to spend. But is your ordinary debit card the best option, or an expensive mistake?

If you’re a customer of HSBC UK and want to know whether you can use your debit card abroad, read on.

We’ve put together a quick guide on how HSBC debit cards work outside of the UK, including info on fees and exchange rates. It’s all to help you avoid being caught out with unexpected charges, so you can enjoy your time away.

We’ll also show you an alternative, the Wise debit card. It’s tailor made for international travel, with low fees and great exchange rates - and you can use it in 174 countries.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Do HSBC debit cards work abroad?

Yes, the short answer to this is that you can use a UK-issued HSBC debit card outside of the UK.¹

You can use it wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted, which includes shops, restaurants, bars and transport hubs. You can also use it to withdraw cash from overseas ATMs.

You don’t need to tell HSBC that you’re going abroad either.¹ You can simply pack your card and start spending once you arrive.

However, it’s important to check whether there are any fees or charges involved with using your HSBC debit card abroad. We’ll look at this next.

Fees and exchange rates - how much it costs to use your HSBC debit card abroad

Foreign transaction fees may apply when you use your HSBC debit card in countries outside of the UK. It all depends on which HSBC account type you have. Let’s take a look:¹

HSBC account	Fee for debit card payments in foreign currency	Fee for ATM withdrawals in foreign currency
Global Money Account	0%	0%
HSBC Premier Account	2.75%	2.75%
All other HSBC accounts	2.75%	2.75% + 2% (max.£5)

So as you can see, the HSBC Global Money Account is the best of the bank’s accounts for debit card transactions abroad. However, you’ll need to have another active HSBC UK current account in order to open it. This could mean doing some advance preparation before your trip.

As well as the fees, there’s also the exchange rate to consider. HSBC cards use the Visa Exchange Rate applicable on the day to convert transactions into sterling.¹ You can check this rate here.

Spend worldwide with the Wise debit card

If you want to swerve the foreign transaction fees charged by UK banks, there are alternatives available. Check out the Wise debit card, which charges no foreign transaction fees and works in 174 countries worldwide.

When you spend, the card automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate. There’s just a small conversion fee, or there’s no charge if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

If you need cash, the Wise card even lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (2 or less withdrawals) with no fee. Although you’ll need to watch out that overseas ATM operators don’t charge their own fee.

Open a Wise multi-currency account online and you can order your own Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7.

Join Wise today

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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Sources used:

1. HSBC - Using your card abroad

Sources last checked on date: 22-Jun-2023