How to use a Wise card abroad: A Full Guide 2024

With a Wise account you can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, send money to 160+ countries, and switch between currencies using the mid-market exchange rate every time. Plus, if you order a linked Wise card you can spend and withdraw cash in 150+ countries, making it easy to travel or shop online with international retailers.

Ready to get started? We’ll look at how to use a Wise card overseas, the fees, limits and some tips to save money. Here’s a heads up on what we’ll cover in this full guide to using the Wise card abroad:

How to use a Wise card overseas

You can use your Wise card to spend and withdraw money overseas in exactly the same way you use your regular card here in Canada. Wise cards are contactless and can be added to mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, for fast and convenient payments wherever you are. Plus, there’s no fee to spend any currency you hold in your account, and the card can automatically switch your balance to the currency you need with low fees from 0.48%.

Here’s a look at how you can use your Wise card overseas:

• Hold 40+ currencies and spend any balance you hold for free

• Withdraw up to 350 CAD a month fee free, with low fees after that

• Allow the card to convert to the currency you need for the lowest available fee

• Get instant transaction notifications and manage your card in the Wise app

• Choose from a selection of free and low cost methods to top-up your Wise account and card

Your Wise card is designed with international use in mind, so there’s no need to notify Wise you intend to travel. Use your Wise card easily for in-store purchases as well as withdrawals and online shopping in 150+ countries.

About the Wise card

The Wise card is an international debit card linked to a digital multi-currency Wise account. It’s free to open a personal Wise account and you can get set up from your phone or laptop easily. Once you’ve registered for a Wise account, simply order your Wise card for delivery to your home address within around 14 working days.

Once you’ve got your Wise card up and running you’ll be able to access the following handy travel features:

• Spend and withdraw in 150+ countries and hold 40+ currencies

• No fees to spend any currency you hold in your account

• Currency conversion from 0.48% when you spend or withdraw with your Wise card

• Top up your account in dollars and convert to the currency you need using the mid-market rate

  

Read also: Wise card review

How does the Wise card work?

The Wise card is a debit card linked to a multi-currency Wise account. You can top up your Wise account in dollars or the currency of your choice, and convert to the currency you need for international spending - or just let the card do the conversion for you, with the mid-market rate and low fees.

You can spend and make withdrawals with your Wise card in 150+ countries, and shop online with international retailers easily. We’ll look at how spending and withdrawals with your Wise card work in more detail a little later, including the fees and limits that apply to your Wise account and card. It’s also worth noting upfront that Wise cards can’t be used for local ATM withdrawals here in Canada.

Read more: How to get a Wise card: the step-by-step guide

Fees for using a Wise card abroad

There’s no fee to get your Wise card, plus no monthly or annual fees.

Top up your Wise account with dollars or any of the other supported currencies, and convert to the currency you need for spending. There’s no fee to spend any currency you hold in your Wise account - and if you don’t have a balance in the right currency your Wise card can automatically convert for you, with a small conversion fee and the mid-market exchange rate.

Here’s a rundown of the key Wise card fees to know about. We’ll cover ATM cash withdrawals, fees and limits in more detail a little later on.

Information correct at the time of writing (1st of December, 2024)

Does the Wise card have foreign transaction fees?

There are no foreign transaction fees when you spend with a Wise card. You can spend any currency you hold in your account for free.

If you don’t have a balance in the currency you need - or if your balance isn’t enough - the Wise card uses smart conversion technology to convert your balance from the currency which charges the lowest possible fee, using the mid-market exchange rate. Wise currency conversion fees vary but can be as low as 0.48%.

How does my Wise card know which currency to use?

You can spend with your Wise card even if you don’t have money in the currency you need. Your Wise card will simply convert the amount needed from the currency balance you hold which offers the lowest available fee. This applies if you don’t hold a balance in the currency needed, or if you don’t hold enough for the transaction in the required currency.

The good news is that this means you’ll always pay the lowest available fee, and you don’t need to convert funds in advance if you’re traveling or spending overseas.

What if I spend money in a currency that I don’t have in my account?

You’ll be able to top up your Wise account in dollars or a selection of other currencies, and then convert to any of the supported 40+ holding currencies in the Wise app. But what if you don’t hold a balance in the currency you need when you spend with your Wise card? In this case, the Wise card will do the hard work for you and switch what’s needed from the currency balance which has the lowest available fee.

Here are some examples of how the Wise auto convert technology can work:

• You hold 200 euros in your account and want to make a purchase that costs 100 euros - in this case, the 100 euros will be deducted from your euro balance, with no fee to pay

• You want to make a purchase that costs 100 euros but you don’t have a euro balance in your Wise account - in this case, the Wise card will convert from your available funds, with a conversion fee from 0.48%. Conversion fees do vary, but the card will pick the balance which offers the lowest available fee at the time of the transaction

• You hold 50 euros in your account and want to make a purchase that costs 100 euros - in this case, the 50 euros will be deducted from your euro balance, with no fee to pay, and the remaining amount will be converted from your available funds, with a variable conversion fee from 0.48%

How to withdraw money abroad with a Wise card

You can make convenient ATM withdrawals all over the world using your Wise card. However, it’s helpful to know that you can’t use your Wise card here in Canada to make withdrawals.

Here’s how to withdraw money abroad with a Wise card:

1. Find a convenient ATM which supports the network your Wise card is issued on (Visa or MasterCard)

2. Insert your card and select the option to make a withdrawal

3. Enter the amount you want to withdraw

4. Enter your PIN for security

5. Your money will be dispensed and your card will be returned

Wise ATM withdrawal limits

There are Wise card withdrawal limits which apply whenever you use your Wise card to take cash from an ATM. Wise limits are set to a default amount, but you can then change this within the app if you need to. You can also check how much of your daily or monthly limit you’ve already used, so there’s no need to keep a track manually - just have a quick look on the Wise app and you’re done.

Here’s how to view and change your Wise card ATM withdrawal limits in the Wise app:

1. Log in on the Wise app and select the Cards tab

2. Tap Account limits and the type of transaction - ATM withdrawals

3. Select the button to change the limit within the Wise maximum available limit range

Daily limits reset each day at midnight, and monthly limits reset at the end of each calendar month.

For Canada residents, there is a a withdrawal limit of 7,000 CAD per month.

Wise card ATM withdrawal fees

You may find when you’re making an ATM withdrawal that a message is displayed on the ATM asking you if you’d rather pay in your home currency - so in this case, Canadian dollars, rather than the currency of the country you’re in.

This is described as dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and can happen when you spend or withdraw with a card overseas. It’s positioned as a service which makes it easier to see how much your transaction costs you more easily - but in reality, it also usually means paying higher fees.

Avoid this unnecessary cost by choosing to pay in the local currency wherever you are every time. You can also learn more in this Wise article about ATM fees and DCC.

Wise offers all card holders some free ATM withdrawals every month, with low fees after that. Here’s how Wise card ATM fees breakdown:

*Details correct at time of writing - 28th November 2024

How do I put money on my Wise card?

The Wise card is linked to your multi-currency Wise account. To use your Wise card for spending or withdrawals you’ll first need to add money to your Wise account - you can choose from a variety of different ways to top up Wise, including some low-cost and fast methods, and ways to add different currencies if you’d like.

Top up options include bank transfer, wire transfer, debit card and credit card. Bank transfer and wire transfer are often the cheapest options, and credit card is usually the most expensive way to add money to Wise.

Adding money to Wise so you can spend with your Wise card is easy - and can all be done online or in the Wise app. To give an example, here’s how to add money to a Wise card in CAD, by bank transfer, using just your phone:

1. Log into your Wise account on the Wise app

2. Tap your CAD currency balance

3. Select Add and enter the amount you want to top up

4. Pick bank transfer as the payment method

5. Follow the prompts to deposit funds and you’re good to go

Is it safe to use the Wise card abroad?

Wise is a safe and fully regulated provider. Wise is overseen by FINTRAC in Canada, and other equivalent organizations around the world.

To open a Wise account you’ll need to complete a verification step which helps keep your account secure, and to use your card you’ll need to set up security including your own PIN. Once your card is up and running you’ll get instant transaction notifications, and can easily freeze or cancel the card if you’re concerned it’s been lost or stolen.

How do I activate my Wise card outside Canada?

Your Wise card doesn’t need any specific activation step - but you’ll need to make a chip and PIN payment, or use your card at an ATM, before you’re able to use the card’s contactless feature. You won’t be able to make an ATM withdrawal here in Canada, but you can use your card to check your balance instead.

Do I need to activate my Wise card for overseas use?

If your Wise card is brand new, you’ll need to activate it and set a PIN before you set off on your travels.

For Canada cardholders, keep in mind that you can’t use your card at an ATM to make a cash withdrawal when trying to activate your card. Instead, use your card for a Chip and PIN payment or select a balance inquiry at the ATM to complete the activation.

Once activated, your Wise card is ready for easy and effortless spending abroad.

Can I use my Wise card at an ATM?

When traveling abroad, you can use your Wise card to withdraw money at ATMs in local currencies, making it a convenient option for cash on the go.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to withdraw funds at an ATM in Canada, if your Wise card is registered in Canada, but you can still use an ATM to check your balance or change your PIN.

Use Google Pay or Apple Pay and spend with your phone

You can use your Canada issued Wise card conveniently with an e-wallet like Apple Pay for mobile spending. That means you don’t need to carry the physical card to make contactless payments in person, or when shopping online.

You can add your Wise card to your preferred wallet by going to the wallet’s app and following the instructions there - or right from the Wise app instead. As an example here’s how to add your Wise card to Apple Pay:

1. Open the Wise app

2. Tap on the Card tab, where you can see all your available cards

3. Select the card you'd like to add then tap on Add to Apple Wallet

Which countries can I use my Wise card in?

Wise customers in a broad range of countries, including Canada, the US and UK, most of the EEA, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Brazil can order a Wise card.

Wise cards can be used almost anywhere in the world where Visa or Mastercard debit cards are accepted - a total of 170+ countries. The Wise card can be used for online payments, and for in person payments when you travel.

How to use Wise card in Europe

Traveling in Europe can be a whirlwind of currency conversions—especially since not every country uses the euro. While the euro is the official currency of 20 European countries, other nations like Switzerland, Denmark, and Poland use their own currencies. The good news? The Wise card has you covered. With Wise, you can hold, exchange, and spend in over 10 European currencies, all at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.

How to use your Wise card in Europe

1. Hold and exchange currencies effortlessly With Wise, you can hold and exchange money in European currencies before you even leave home. For example, you can top up your Wise account in CAD, GBP, or USD, then convert it into euros or another local currency at the mid-market exchange rate. You can do this ahead of your trip or wait until you need it while traveling—Wise gives you full control.

2. Spend directly in local currencies The Wise card lets you spend directly in the local currency, even if your balance is in another currency. For instance, if your account is topped up in euros but you’re traveling to Sweden, the card will automatically convert your euros into Swedish krona at the mid-market rate.

3. Withdraw cash while in Europe Need cash for a street market in Budapest or to catch a tram in Prague? Your Wise card lets  you withdraw local currency from ATMs across Europe. Withdraw a monthly limit of up to 7,000 CAD and enjoy withdrawals of up to 350 CAD a month free from Wise fees before paying a small fee of 1.50 CAD + 1.75% per withdrawal after that.

4. Spend in one currency, pay in another Not sure which currency you’ll need? No problem. You can keep your funds in CAD, GBP, or another currency and let Wise convert it automatically when you spend. This works in real time at the point of purchase, so you can stay spontaneous on your travels without worrying about conversion fees.

5. Transparent fees With Wise, you always know what you're paying. Conversions happen at the mid-market exchange rate, and fees are low and clearly displayed upfront meaning you can trust that you’re getting the best value for your money, whether you’re dining in Italy or shopping in France.

How to use Wise card abroad without the card

No physical card? No problem. The Wise card's digital features let you spend and manage your money easily, even if your physical card is left behind. With a Wise virtual card or an e-wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can enjoy effortless and secure spending wherever you are in the world. Plus, some ATMs even support contactless withdrawals via mobile devices for extra flexibility.

Use your Wise card with digital wallets

You can link your Wise card to your preferred digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, for mobile spending. This allows you to make contactless payments in stores, pay for services online, and even withdraw cash at ATMs that support contactless mobile devices—all without carrying the physical card. Simply add your Wise card through your wallet app or directly from the Wise app for quick and secure access.

Spend smarter with the Wise virtual cardThe Wise virtual card is a digital card that lives entirely in your Wise account and is perfect for spending online, in-store, or while traveling. With unique card details that are separate from your physical card, it offers an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to manage—simply freeze the card after each purchase for added safety.

Benefits of the Wise virtual card:

• Real-time currency conversion: Hold over 40 currencies and convert them in real time using the free Wise app, and spend in local currencies at the real exchange rate.

• Enhanced security: Your virtual card has a different number than your physical card, reducing the risk of fraud. You can freeze the card immediately after a transaction for even more protection.

• Multiple cards for better budgeting: Create up to three virtual cards to manage different expenses or set budgets for specific spending categories.

• Contactless spending worldwide: Use your Wise virtual card with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets for contactless payments wherever they're accepted.

• Immediate setup: Once you’ve ordered your physical Wise card, you can create a virtual card right away in the Wise app and there’s no need to wait for your physical card to arrive.

Learn more on How to use Wise digital cards.

Are there any countries where the Wise card doesn’t work?

There are a few countries where the Wise card cannot be used - usually because of global sanctions or practical constraints. These include Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

Exactly where Wise services can be offered may vary from time to time, so do double check if you’re unsure about whether or not your Wise card can be used in your destination.

Tips for saving money when spending abroad

Nobody wants to spend more than necessary when traveling. The Wise card and account can be a good way to cut your costs - here are a few other things to look out for:

• Always pay in the local currency - an ATM or merchant may ask if you’d prefer to pay in dollars, but this is always more expensive

• Keep a couple of payment methods handy, like cards on different networks and a small amount of cash, so you’re never stuck

• If you ever need to convert cash, avoid airport and hotel currency exchange kiosks, as these usually mean higher fees

Conclusion: Is Wise a good travel card?

Wise card is one of the best cards without foreign transaction fees in Canada. The Wise card can be a very helpful card for travel and overseas purchases. You can order a Wise card conveniently online, and link it to your Wise account which can be used to hold 40+ currencies.

Wise currency conversion always uses the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.48%. It’s free to spend currencies you hold in your Wise account, and if you don’t have the currency you need, the Wise card auto convert technology can convert for you, using the mid-market rate and Wise’s low fees. That can mean you save compared to using a regular bank card, whenever you spend or withdraw in a foreign currency.