Comparison table
| Card | FX payment | ATM withdrawal | Exchange rate | Monthly cost | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R Revolut Metal | 0% | €800/mo free | Interbank rate | €13.99/mo | ★★★★★ | See → |
| W Wise Multi-currency | from 0.43% | €100/mo free | Interbank rate | €0/mo | ★★★★★ | See → |
| B Boursorama Ultim | 0% | 3 free then 1.69% | Visa rate | €0/mo (cond.) | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| N N26 Metal | 0% | 8 free/month | Mastercard rate | €16.90/mo | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| F Fortuneo Gold CB | 0% | 0% unlimited | Mastercard rate | €0/mo (cond.) | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| R Revolut Standard | 0% up to €1,000 | €200/mo free | Interbank rate | €0/mo | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| N N26 Standard | 0% | 1.70% (2 free €) | Mastercard rate | €0/mo | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
| B Bunq Easy Travel | 0% | Plan-based | Mastercard rate | €9.99/mo | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
| L Lydia Current account | 0% | 1% (Lydia+ free) | Mastercard rate | €0/mo | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
| V Classic bank Visa Premier | 2 to 3% | €2-5 + 2-3% | Rate + margin | ≈ €130/yr | ★★☆☆☆ | See → |
Fees observed in June 2026 for travel outside the eurozone. The local ATM operator may add its own surcharge regardless of the card. Free-of-charge conditions (Boursorama, Fortuneo) require a minimum monthly use. Check the current pricing before applying.
Our methodology
We rated these 10 travel bank cards on 16 criteria across 4 categories.
1. Real cost abroad
40% of the scoreForeign-currency payment fees, fixed and variable ATM withdrawal fees, quality of the exchange rate applied, any weekend surcharge, free monthly caps.
2. Travel features
25%Multi-currency accounts, disposable virtual card, instant transfer, withdrawal limits, in-app freeze/unfreeze, offline handling.
3. Included coverage
20%Medical expenses cap, cancellation insurance, repatriation, coverage duration per trip, activation conditions (trip paid with the card).
4. UX and customer service
15%App quality, 3DS validation without roaming SMS, support in your language, chat responsiveness, refund times in case of dispute.
Our commitments
- We test each card in the field before rating it.
- No advertiser influences our ranking: this comparison is editorially independent.
- Identical standardized scenario for every card (same withdrawals, same payments).
- Full reading of pricing terms and insurance policy documents.
- Fees updated within 7 days when an issuer changes its conditions.
Who is it for?
Depending on your type of trip, different cards come out on top.
1-3 week holidays
Occasional traveler
Boursorama Ultim
€0/mo under conditions, 0% payment fees and 3 free withdrawals outside the eurozone. Visa Premier card accepted for hotel and car-rental deposits.
Details →Long stay
Multi-currency
Wise Multi-currency
Over 40 currencies with local IBANs, interbank rate, transparent commission shown before each conversion. Ideal for handling several currencies.
Details →Frequent traveler
Premium all-in-one
Revolut Metal
0% exchange with no cap, no weekend surcharge, travel medical and cancellation insurance included in the subscription. Worth it from a few trips a year.
Details →🥇 #1 — Best overall
Revolut Metal
Rating: ★★★★★ · €13.99/mo
In brief
- • 0% exchange fees with no monthly cap
- • No weekend surcharge (unlike the Standard plan)
- • Travel medical and cancellation insurance included
- • Disposable virtual card and instant in-app freeze
Our best overall score. The Metal plan removes the two limits that hold back the Standard plan: the monthly exchange cap (€1,000) and the 1% weekend surcharge. You pay at the interbank rate across 150+ currencies, fee-free, with travel insurance bundled into the subscription. The app remains the market benchmark for real-time control. The €13.99/mo fee pays off for regular travelers.
✅ Pros
- • 0% exchange with no cap or weekend surcharge
- • Travel insurance included (medical + cancellation)
- • Very complete app, instant freeze
- • €800/mo of fee-free ATM withdrawals on Revolut's side
- • Disposable virtual card for online payments
⚠️ Cons
- • €13.99/mo subscription (the Standard plan stays free)
- • E-money institution, not a classic bank
- • Local ATMs may charge their own fees
Ideal for regular, multi-country travelers who want a single card covering payment, exchange and insurance.
🌍 #2 — Best multi-currency
Wise Multi-currency
Rating: ★★★★★ · €0/mo
In brief
- • Over 40 currencies with local IBANs
- • Pure interbank rate, commission shown before conversion
- • No weekend surcharge
- • Free card, ideal for multi-currency balances
The reference for anyone juggling several currencies. Wise shows the interbank rate and a transparent commission (from 0.43%) before each conversion, with no surprises. You can hold balances in over 40 currencies with local bank details, handy for receiving payments abroad. The card is free. ATM withdrawals are free up to €100/mo, then charged a small percentage, which makes it a great complement to a Revolut for larger withdrawals.
✅ Pros
- • Interbank rate and transparent commission
- • Over 40 currencies with local IBANs
- • Free card, no subscription
- • Excellent for receiving foreign-currency payments
⚠️ Cons
- • Free ATM withdrawals capped at €100/mo
- • No premium-level travel insurance included
- • Small commission on each conversion (unlike Revolut Metal)
Ideal for freelancers and nomads invoicing in foreign currency, long-stay travelers, multi-currency management.
💰 #3 — Best free French card
Boursorama Ultim
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €0/mo (cond.)
In brief
- • Visa Premier card with no fee under usage conditions
- • 0% fees on foreign-currency payments
- • 3 free withdrawals/month outside the eurozone, then 1.69%
- • A real French bank with a FR IBAN and overdraft
The best compromise for a French-resident traveler who wants a free card backed by a real bank. The Ultim is a Visa Premier with no fee, subject to monthly use (one payment per month or a minimum balance). Payments abroad are fee-free, with three free withdrawals per month outside the eurozone, then 1.69%. The French IBAN makes everyday direct debits and deposits (hotel, car rental) easy where a traditional card is required.
✅ Pros
- • Visa Premier with no fee (under conditions)
- • 0% on foreign-currency payments
- • FR IBAN, accepted for deposits and rentals
- • Visa Premier benefits included
⚠️ Cons
- • Free non-eurozone withdrawals capped at 3/month
- • Monthly usage conditions to meet
- • Card insurance more limited than a dedicated travel policy
Ideal for French residents wanting a free, versatile card with a FR IBAN for daily life and deposits.
🏦 #4 — Best neobank
N26 Metal
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €16.90/mo
In brief
- • No exchange fees on payments, Mastercard rate
- • 8 free withdrawals per month (Metal plan)
- • Travel insurance included in the plan
- • Metal card and polished app
The German neobank applies the Mastercard rate with no exchange commission on every foreign-currency payment, including weekends. The Metal plan raises free withdrawals to eight per month and adds travel insurance. Note: on the free Standard plan, non-eurozone withdrawals cost 1.70%, which keeps the travel value on the paid plans. The app is clear and the card has a German IBAN.
✅ Pros
- • 0% payment fees in foreign currency on all plans
- • 8 free withdrawals/month (Metal)
- • Travel insurance included (Metal)
- • Polished app, metal card
⚠️ Cons
- • €16.90/mo subscription for the Metal plan
- • Non-eurozone withdrawals charged 1.70% on the free plan
- • German IBAN (may complicate some FR direct debits)
Ideal for travelers wanting a neobank with included insurance and a high-quality app.
🇫🇷 #5 — Zero fees everywhere
Fortuneo Gold CB
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €0/mo (cond.)
In brief
- • 0% fees on payments AND withdrawals, unlimited
- • Gold Mastercard with no fee under usage conditions
- • A real French bank with a FR IBAN
- • Gold Mastercard benefits included
The most aggressive card on foreign fees: Fortuneo charges no bank fees on payments or withdrawals in foreign currency, unlimited, where Boursorama caps free withdrawals at three per month. The Gold CB (Gold Mastercard) has no fee subject to a minimum monthly payment. It is a real French bank with a FR IBAN, well suited to everyday life and deposits. Only the local ATM operator may still add its own fee, beyond Fortuneo's control.
✅ Pros
- • 0% fees on payments and withdrawals, unlimited
- • Gold Mastercard with no fee (under conditions)
- • FR IBAN, accepted for deposits and rentals
- • Gold Mastercard benefits included
⚠️ Cons
- • Monthly usage conditions to meet
- • App less feature-rich than Revolut or N26
- • No multi-currency accounts
Ideal for French residents wanting zero fees on every withdrawal and payment abroad, with a real bank.
FAQ
What is the best travel bank card in 2026? +
What fees does a travel card actually avoid? +
Revolut or Wise: which to choose? +
Do I need to tell my bank before a trip? +
How many cards should I bring? +
How to avoid exchange fees abroad? +
Does a premium card replace travel insurance? +
Boursorama Ultim or Fortuneo Gold CB? +
Are ATM withdrawals really free abroad? +
Best travel card 2026: our comparison
We compared 10 bank cards built for travel on 16 criteria: foreign-currency payment fees, ATM withdrawal fees, exchange-rate quality, included coverage and customer service. Here is our verdict by traveler profile, with no spin and no commercial ties to the issuers.
Three fee buckets make the difference abroad: the exchange commission, ATM withdrawal fees and variable payment fees. The right card can save you €30 to €80 on a two-week trip outside the eurozone. Neobanks (Revolut, Wise, N26) and French online banks (Boursorama Ultim, Fortuneo Gold CB) remove most of these fees, where a classic high-street card stacks them up.
The winning combo for most travelers is a fee-free payment card (Revolut Metal or a free French one) paired with a backup card from another institution, kept separately in case of loss or theft.