Once you get your Wise card, you'll be able to spend the money on your Wise account directly in stores. Learn what to do if you want to get a Brazil card
There are just some things you should keep in mind when using it.
Your card details
For your Brazil-issued card, when you pay for a transaction and check the card details, you may see a set of 4 digits. These belong to a secondary profile in your Wise card, which comes with its own set of card numbers.
This doesn't affect how you use your Wise card. We'll automatically use your secondary card number with specific transactions to help your payment go through.
Choosing between debit or credit
Card machines work differently in Brazil, so you might be asked to choose between a credit and a debit function when using your Wise card.
Wise cards are debit cards. We’ll only debit the amount that is available in your account. So even though you need to choose credit while you’re paying in Brazil, this won’t create debts or overflowing limits.
Wise cards issued outside Brazil
If you did not order your card in Brazil you should choose the credit option. Your card will still work as a debit card.
Wise cards issued in Brazil
If you ordered your card in Brazil before 3rd May 2022, you should select the credit option. If you ordered your card after this date, you can select either the credit or the debit option.
What IOF am I charged?
IOF — Financial Operations Tax — is a tax applied on different types of financial transactions in Brazil. The tax rate varies according to what you’re doing.
When using the Wise card, the IOF is charged during the conversion, not the purchase. That’s why the rate is different from other international cards. The rates for converting are:
Using BRL to add other currencies to your Wise account — this is like sending money from Brazil to an account you own abroad. 1.1% IOF
Converting between BRL and other currencies in your Wise account — this is like sending money from Brazil to an account you own abroad. 1.1% IOF
Converting money from other currencies to your Wise BRL account — this is like sending money from abroad to yourself in Brazil. 0.38% IOF
I don't have BRL, will it convert from other currencies?
If your card was issued in Brazil, our smart conversion function doesn't work when BRL is involved. Normally, if you try to spend in a currency you don’t have, Wise will convert from the next balance with the lowest conversion rate. But if BRL is the only other available currency, the transaction will be declined due to insufficient funds.
So if you want to make a purchase using BRL, make sure you have the amount in your balance, otherwise the transaction will be declined.