What are the best bank cards for paying abroad? 🤔
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My conditions for paying abroad
A good bank card for payments abroad should be the cheapest, or even free.
However, this requirement is not really possible, for 2 reasons:
- The card's financial network (e.g., Mastercard or Visa) charges a fee per payment. Fortunately, it's very small! It's less than 0.1%!
- Few bank accounts offer international payments without added fees. In fact, it is very difficult to find a bank account that allows you to pay in a foreign currency without commissions.
However, It is possible to find bank accounts with very cheap international payments! That is, with almost no added costs! Let's analyze together 😊
Commissions to be analyzed
👉 When we analyze the commissions regarding international banking movements. We must think about all the commissions. For example:
- No fees for opening a bank account
- No fees for e-banking (bank account management fees)
- Optimal exchange rate. That is, without added fees.
- No fees for payments
👉 According to my knowledge. For a resident of Switzerland, there are only three bank accounts that offer (almost) commission-free payments abroad.
3 bank cards with (almost) no fees for paying abroad😉
| Bank | Bank Country | Commission requested with optimal exchange rate |
|---|---|---|
| Neon1 | Swiss | 0.35% |
| WIR1 | Swiss | 0 CHF |
| Revolut1 | United Kingdom | – 0% commission but only during the week – 1% on weekends |
Neon red version
The free version of Neon was for a long time the only Swiss bank account with no fees for payments abroad. Since 2025, the fees for these payments have increased to 0.35%, which remains reasonable.
Here is a table to summarize Neon red version 😊
| Benefit | Commission |
|---|---|
| Annual maintenance fee | 0 CHF |
| Bank card fees | 0 CHF |
| Exchange rate surcharge | 0 CHF |
| Neon Commission payment abroad | 0.35% |
| Financial network | MasterCard |
| Payment option | In the world (MasterCard) |
| Country / Account Security | Switzerland / Very good (Submitted to FIMNA) |
Neon red version is a very good bank account for paying abroad!
In addition, the Mastercard financial network allows you to pay in almost every country in the world.
We (Top Bank Package)
Another alternative to pay almost without fees abroad is Wir top banking package.
In truth, at the time of writing this article, Wir package Top has almost no fees for payments abroad! Just a very small commission charged by MasterCard, it's less than 0.1%.
| Benefit | Commission |
|---|---|
| Annual maintenance fee | 0 CHF |
| Bank card fees | 0 CHF |
| Exchange rate surcharge | 0 CHF |
| Commission We pay abroad | 0 CHF |
| Financial network | MasterCard |
| Payment option | In the world (MasterCard) |
| Country / Account Security | Switzerland / Very good (submitted to FIMNA) |
Revolut (Standard Version)
Revolut Standard version is a bank account with no maintenance fees.
Unlike Neon or Wir, it's possible to choose a Visa or Mastercard. This can be an advantage in some countries.
However, unlike Neon or Wir, international payments are only free on weekdays. On weekends, Revolut charges a fee of 1%.
It is important for a Swiss resident to know that Revolut is a foreign bank account, meaning it is subject to different laws than in Switzerland. This could reduce the account's security.
| Benefit | Commission |
|---|---|
| Annual maintenance fee | 0 CHF |
| Bank card fees | 0 CHF |
| Exchange rate surcharge | 0 CHF |
| Revolut commission for payments abroad | The week = 0 CHF The Weekend = 1% |
| Financial network | Mastercard or Visa |
| Payment option | Worldwide (MasterCard or Visa) |
| Country / Account Security | England / Middle |
Important note: Always pay with the local currency!
⚠️ When paying abroad with a Swiss bank card. Does the bank card reader offer to pay in CHF or in the local currency? 🤔
👉 In reality, Paying in CHF abroad is risky. The customer will base their decision on the card reader's exchange rate, which often includes a hidden commission 🤨
➡️ Therefore, in order to avoid an unfavorable exchange rate. When paying abroad by bank card. It is best to always pay in the local currency 🔺
Conclusion
In order to choose the best bank cards to pay abroad, it is necessary that the bank account has the following conditions:
- 0 commission regarding account management fees
- 0 commission on bank card fees
- Optimal exchange rate. That is, without commissions.
- Less than 0.5% commission (ideally 0%) for foreign payments. 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
- Mastercard or Visa financial network
- Payment options available worldwide
- Very good account security (with refund guarantees in the event of bank failure)
👉 For a Swiss resident, at the time of writing, Neon and Wir are the only bank accounts that offer payment abroad with less than 0.5% in bank fees.. In addition, there is very good bank account security!
Revolut is also an interesting option. But in my opinion, Revolut is too expensive on weekends and its security is questionable!
👉 As a result, Wir or Neon bank cards are more practical 😉
⚠️ To avoid an unfavorable exchange rate. When paying abroad, you must always pay by card in the currency of the country ! To avoid getting ripped off with bank charges.
SEO FAQ – The best bank cards for paying abroad
What is the best bank card for paying abroad from Switzerland?
For a Swiss resident, the most attractive bank cards for paying abroad are generally WIR (Top Banking Package), Neon, and Revolut. They offer very low fees on international payments and an exchange rate close to the market rate.
Which Swiss bank card has the lowest fees abroad?
At the time of writing, WIR Top Banking Package is one of the least expensive solutions with virtually no additional fees on international payments. Neon applies a commission of 0.35 %, which remains very competitive.
Neon or Revolut: which card should you choose for travel?
Neon is often simpler for Swiss residents thanks to its Swiss domicile and local regulations. Revolut also offers good exchange rates, but applies a 1.% markup on weekends.
Why is it necessary to pay in the local currency abroad?
It's generally best to pay in the currency of the country you're visiting. Choosing CHF on the payment terminal risks an unfavorable exchange rate and hidden fees. Paying in the local currency often results in a better rate.
What is the difference between Visa and Mastercard for payments abroad?
The differences are generally small. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most countries worldwide. The most important thing is to choose a card with low exchange and payment fees.
Is Revolut free for payments abroad?
Revolut Standard allows you to pay abroad without fees on weekdays within certain limits. However, a surcharge may apply on weekends for currency conversions.
Is Neon a good bank card for travel?
Yes. Neon is often considered one of the best Swiss bank cards for travel thanks to its low fees, competitive exchange rate and no account management fees.
Which Swiss bank is the cheapest for foreign currency payments?
Among the Swiss banks popular with travellers, WIR and Neon regularly feature among the most economical solutions for international payments.
What fees should you check before choosing a card for travel?
Before choosing a bank card for use abroad, it is advisable to check:
- account maintenance fees; ;
- card fees; ;
- foreign currency payment fees; ;
- ATM withdrawal fees; ;
- the exchange rate applied.
Can you save a lot of money by choosing the right bank card abroad?
Yes. A difference of only 1 to 3 in exchange fees can represent several tens or hundreds of francs in savings per year for frequent travelers.
Should I use a Swiss card or a foreign card for travel?
It depends on your needs. A Swiss card generally offers better regulatory protection for a Swiss resident. A foreign card like Revolut might be attractive for certain features, but it's subject to a different jurisdiction.
Are payments abroad more important than withdrawals?
For many travelers, yes. Card payments often account for the majority of expenses. Reducing foreign currency transaction fees can therefore have a significant impact on travel budgets.
Is it better to pay by card abroad or to withdraw cash?
In most cases, it's better to pay directly by bank card abroad rather than withdrawing cash. The best international bank cards generally charge very low fees for foreign currency payments, whereas cash withdrawals can incur additional fees from the bank, ATM, or payment network.
To limit bank fees, it is recommended to:
- prioritize card payments whenever possible; ;
- use a card with little or no exchange fees; ;
- always pay in the local currency of the country; ;
- avoid automatic conversions to Swiss francs offered by some terminals or distributors.
Cash withdrawals remain useful in some countries or businesses that do not accept bank cards, but for the majority of daily expenses, card payment is often the most economical solution.
The best bank cards for paying abroad
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