Using your money outside the UK
See the world. Pay for stuff.
Wherever you’re going, you can pay for it
Considering the enormity of this planet and its many currencies, using your debit card outside the UK is the same as at home. You can use it anywhere you see a Visa logo - the country doesn't matter.
When to tell us you're going abroad
How to tell us you're going abroad
Paying with your card outside the UK
When to tell us you're going abroad
Our cards offer a convenient and safer alternative to carrying cash while on holiday or spending time overseas.
You don't need to tell us if you're travelling to Europe or Turkey and want to use your cards.
You do need to tell us if you plan to use your card outside Europe or Turkey.
Find out more about charges and rates for using your card abroad.
How to tell us you're going abroad
If you're registered for online banking you can send a secure message as follows:
- Login to online banking
- Select 'Help and support' from the main menu
- Select 'Send a secure message, and view your existing messages' then 'Send a message'
- Choose the account you want to send a message from
- Select 'Using my card abroad' from the subject dropdown in the message you'll need to include the country or countries of travel, dates that you're travelling and the cards you intend to use.
We'll ask you to make sure your contact details are up to date in case we need to contact you when you're abroad.
If you're not registered for online banking please contact us.
Using the mobile app abroad
You can use the mobile app anywhere in the world, provided you have an internet connection. Check with your network provider for information about roaming charges.
If you don't have the app you can download this at any time.
Paying with your card outside the UK
Do I need to tell you I am going outside the UK?
If you are travelling outside of the EU or Turkey, please let us know. If you’re going to the EU or Turkey, you don’t need to tell us.
Can I use my debit and credit cards outside the UK?
If they accept card payments, you can use your card to pay there.
Will I be charged for paying by card or withdrawing cash when outside the UK?
If you’re paying for something on your card that isn’t in sterling, or withdrawing cash that isn’t sterling, we will convert it into the relevant currency using the Visa exchange rate (which is variable) and apply a 2.75% Currency Conversion Charge.
When using your credit card for any foreign currency cash withdrawals you make overseas, there will be a charge of 3% of the value of the currency/cheques or £3.00 (whichever is greater).
To obtain an indication of the overall exchange rate you may receive and the estimated cost of your transaction in sterling, use the Visa website, populating the fields accordingly, entering 2.75% in the "Bank fee" box.
For the European currencies listed below, you will also see the difference between The Co-operative Bank and the European Central Bank exchange rate as a percentage, which is required to be displayed for the purpose of comparison.
- Euro
- Bulgarian Lev
- Croatian Kuna
- Czech Koruna
- Danish Krone
- Hungarian Forint
- Polish Zloty
- Romanian Leu
- Swedish Krona
- Norwegian Krone
- Icelandic Krona
I’ve been told I can pay outside the UK in pounds. Will I be charged for this?
Some retailers will give you the option of paying in pounds. By doing so, you will not be charged our Currency Conversion Charge. However, it means they will be converting your funds into the relevant currency using their exchange rate. This rate may not be as good as the Visa Scheme Exchange Rate.
Can I withdraw cash using my debit or credit card when outside the UK?
When outside the UK, you can withdraw cash from any ATM with the Visa logo on it.
A foreign ATM is offering to convert my money into the currency of the country I’m in. Will I be charged for this?
Some ATMs will offer to convert your transaction into sterling using their exchange rate. For this service, you won't be charged our Currency Conversion Charge when using your debit card however you will be charged 3% of the value of the currency/cheques or £3.00 (whichever is greater) when using your credit card.
Buying foreign currency
Why have I been charged for buying foreign currency using my Visa debit card?
The Currency Conversion Charge is applied because we're converting the amount from foreign currency back to sterling.
Charges and rates
Currency Conversion Charge
A Currency Conversion Charge is applied to any payment made for cash goods or services using your debit card in a currency other than sterling. The transaction fee will be:
2.75% of the value of the transaction
Credit card foreign transaction fees
Foreign currency credit card payments
A Currency Conversion Charge is applied to any payment made for cash goods or services using your credit card in a currency other than sterling. The transaction fee will be:
2.75% of the value of the transaction
Foreign currency cash withdrawals
What we charge for using your credit card when overseas.
This is charged in addition to a Currency Conversion Charge.
3% of the value of the currency/cheques or £3.00 (whichever is greater)
Foreign currency fees
Purchase of foreign currency in the UK
If you use your debit card to purchase foreign currency from other retailers in the United Kingdom, such as Post Offices, Bureau de Change or travel agents we will not charge you a cash fee, however fees and charges may apply if you use another provider for this service. They should inform you of the charge prior to the transaction being processed.