- Free account available
Best Cards for Traveling in Spain
Best Cards for Traveling
- Fee-free accounts.
- Worldwide withdrawals.
- Low foreign transaction fees.
Advertiser disclosure
Mobile Bank | Pricing | Card | What We Like | Score | Open an Account | ||
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Our Top Choice
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9.8
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9.5
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9.1
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8.8
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8.5
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8.2
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- Earn rewards for shopping, groceries, gifts, travel and more
- Pay like a local: hold 30+ currencies, exchange 150+
- Free payments worldwide in any currency
- Automatically categorises spending into a report
Fees and Usage
- Fee-Free Banking
All banks on the list above offer fee-free accounts, unlike many others that may charge a €15-€20 monthly maintenance fee. - Card Usage in Spain
Around 90% of the Spanish population owns at least one travel card, highlighting the widespread use of cards in everyday transactions.
Key Features
- Acceptance
Travel cards are accepted in most retail locations, restaurants, and ATMs throughout Spain. They can also facilitate contactless payments for transactions under €15, enhancing convenience for smaller purchases. - Mobile Payment Options
Many banks offer the ability to link travel cards to mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, allowing for contactless transactions via smartphones. - International Use
Travel cards are widely accepted internationally, making them convenient for travelers. Some cards also offer benefits like no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.
Travel Card Features
Exchange rate
Some use the ‘interbank rate’ and others use Mastercard or Visa’s exchange rates. Sometimes, a provider may pick one of the rates and then apply a percentage on top, usually between 1% and 3%.
ATM withdrawal abroad
The ATM withdrawal will likely incur a cash advance fee if you use a card with no foreign transaction fees. However, most companies do not charge withdrawal fees for amounts between €200 and €500.
Foreign transactions
Foreign transaction fees are charges that appear on your card bill when you make a purchase that either crosses a foreign country or is done in a foreign currency. There are some companies that charge no fees for foreign transactions.
Multi-currency account
If you want to visit multiple destinations, you can load several currencies onto a single card. You could have different amounts of money stored on the same card. You can lock in rates by converting when you load the cash or store some money in pounds.
Security
When you swipe your card at the ATM or store you’ll get the same level of protection as if you used your bank’s card.
Global use
Usually, MasterCard and Visa cards can be used in millions of places around the world and online. You can use your card at most ATMs in other countries, as well as with most retailers that accept card payments.