How to use the Wise card in Europe
Are you planning a trip to Europe? You’re in for a treat - but to make the most of your money while you’re there, you’ll need to find easy, low cost ways to pay with your card abroad.
In this article, we'll focus on how you can use the Wise card when traveling to Europe, including the fees involved, the withdrawal limits, and some useful tips to save money when spending in euros and the other major currencies used in Europe.
Here’s a full rundown of the topics we’ll cover:
Is it possible to use my Wise card in Europe?
Yes. You can use your Wise card to spend in Euros and many of the other 25+ currencies that are used in Europe outside of the Eurozone.
You can also hold and exchange money in 40+ currencies, including European currencies such as EUR, GBP, CHF with Wise. We’ll talk more about this later on.
About the Wise card
To get your Wise card you’ll first need to sign up for a Wise account online or in the Wise app. Once your account is open and verified you’ll be able to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and order your Wise card to make payments and withdrawals in 150+ countries.
There’s no fee to open your Wise account, and no ongoing charges to maintain your card - you’ll just pay a one time low fee to order the card to have it delivered in the first place.
How does the Wise card work?
The Wise card is an international debit card which is linked to a Wise account you can use to hold 40+ currencies. You can add money in Malaysian Ringgit, or around 20 other supported currencies for topping up, and then either convert to the currency you need (either at your destination or before you arrive), or simply let the card do the exchange for you when you pay. Currency exchange is done instantly, and you can start spending your money immediately.
Use your Wise card for simple withdrawals and spending from your Wise balance throughout Europe, in Euros and a good selection of other major European currencies, depending on where your trip takes you.
Read also: Wise card review
Fees for using the Wise card in Europe
You’ll pay a low one time fee to get your Wise card in the first place, and can then use it globally with no ongoing maintenance charges.
It’s free to spend from the funds in your Wise account balances when you have enough money in your balance for the purchase. If you don’t have a balance in the currency you need in your destination, Wise uses smart conversion technology to convert from the currency balance you hold which incurs the lowest charge, using the mid-market exchange rate.
Here are some of the key costs you need to know about when using the Wise card in Europe. We’ll cover the costs of ATM cash withdrawals a little later on.
| Service | Wise card fee |
|---|---|
| Order a Wise card | 13.7 MYR |
| Spend a currency you hold | Free |
| Spend in a currency you don’t hold | Currency conversion fees from 0.43% |
| Order a replacement card | No fee to replace an expiring card 13.7 MYR for a replacement at any other time |
Fees correct at time of writing - 7th November 2023. Find more on the Wise card fee information page.
One big advantage of using your Wise card is that the card will automatically draw funds from the currency balance needed in the country you’re in - or convert for you with the lowest possible fees if you don’t have the required currency in your account. That means you won’t get caught out by dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
DCC is where you’re asked by a merchant if you’d prefer to pay Malaysian Ringgit instead of the currency of the country you’re in. It’s described as a service for people spending with a card overseas, as it makes it easy to see how much you’re spending in Malaysian Ringgit. However, as the merchant will set the exchange rate used to convert to MYR, you’ll find you pay more in the end, thanks to higher fees and a poor exchange rate.
You can easily avoid this tricky fee by just letting the Wise card handle the conversion to the local currency wherever you are. Easy.
Is it safe to use the Wise card in Europe?
Yes, Wise card is safe to use in Europe.
You can safely use the Wise card in Malaysia and in Europe. As a company, Wise is regulated in Malaysia by the Bank Negara Malaysia, and is overseen by similar bodies in other countries, such as the FCA in the UK.
The Wise card has been designed with safety in mind, too. You’ll be able to get instant notifications in the Wise app showing whenever a transaction has been processed, plus you can review your account any time, and freeze or unfreeze your card in a couple of taps.
Advantages of using the Wise card in Europe
You can use the Wise card to spend in Europe in euros or whichever currency you need, based on the countries you plan to visit. Here are some tips to make the most of your Wise card:
Top up in Malaysian Ringgit and you can switch over to the currency you need in advance if you spot a good exchange rate
If you’d prefer you can leave your money in MYR and let the card convert for you with the mid-market rate when you pay
Remember to pay in the local currency wherever you are, to avoid DCC costs
How to use Wise card in Europe
The Wise card is fairly easy to use when travelling abroad. It works linked with Wise multi-currency account. You can manage your account and check your spending through Wise app conveniently on the go.
Here’s a quick look at some of the ways can use your Wise card when travelling abroad:
Top-up your card in Malaysian Ringgit, or in any other 20+ currencies supported for adding money.
You can choose to convert your money before you leave or after you arrive at your travel destination.
Create virtual cards for safe shopping
Connect your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay and make purchases with your phone
Make purchases or shop online internationally in 150+ countries
Get instant notifications through Wise app
Easily freeze and unfreeze your physical card and also virtual cards in the app
How to withdraw money in Europe with Wise card
You can make cash withdrawals from ATMs in Europe as easily as you would at home:
Find a convenient ATM which supports the network your Wise card is issued on (Visa or MasterCard)
Insert your card and select the option to make a withdrawal
Enter the amount you want to withdraw
Enter your PIN for security
Your money will be dispensed and your card will be returned
Wise ATM withdrawal limits
As with most debit cards, there are some withdrawal limits which apply to the Wise card, per withdrawal, per day and per month.
Wise limits are automatically set at a default amount, but you can then change it to suit your needs, and view how much is left on a particular limit within the Wise app.
Here are the Wise ATM withdrawal limits, per day and month, you’ll need to know about:
| Limit type | Single payment | Daily limit | Monthly limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default ATM withdrawal limit | 5,700 MYR | 8,600 MYR | 17,000 MYR |
| Maximum ATM withdrawal limit | 5,700 MYR | 8,600 MYR | 23,000 MYR |
* Details correct at time of writing - 7th November 2023
To view and change your Wise card ATM withdrawal limits in the Wise app:
Log in on the Wise app and select the Cards tab
Tap Account limits and the type of transaction - ATM withdrawals
Select the button to change the limit within the Wise maximum available limit range
Wise card ATM withdrawal fees
Wise offers some fee free ATM withdrawals every month, with low fees after that:
| Service | Wise card fee |
|---|---|
| ATM withdrawals | 2 withdrawals, to the value of 1000 MYR a month fee free After that a fee of 5 MYR + 1.75% of the withdrawal value applies |
Fees correct at time of writing - 7th November 2023.
To make sure your money goes as far as possible when you’re in Europe, it’s important to note that ATMs usually apply a fee when you make a withdrawal and choose to pay in your home currency - so Malaysian Ringgit for Wise cards issued in Malaysia. That’s because of dynamic currency conversion again, which we looked at a little earlier.
You might be asked if you’d like the ATM to complete the currency conversion on your behalf, or if you’d prefer to pay in your home currency. While this might sound like a nice offer, it’s usually a sign of higher fees overall, as your withdrawal will be converted with the exchange rate picked by the ATM, and you’ll also be liable for any extra charges they add. You can easily avoid this charge by choosing to pay for your withdrawal in the local currency wherever you are. Learn more about DCC here.
How to get a Wise card: step by step
You can order a Wise debit card once you have a verified and active Wise account. Generally all you need for this is a valid email address, a working smartphone, and a valid ID document.
Here’s how to order a Wise card online or in the Wise app:
On the app
Here’s how to get your Wise debit card on the Wise app:
Download the Wise app and tap Sign up
Open a Wise account by following the prompts to enter your personal information
Top up your Wise account in the currency of your choice
Order your Wise card for a one time 13.7 MYR fee
Complete the verification step
Your card will arrive in the mail within 14 working days
On the site
Open the Wise desktop site and select Register
Open a Wise account by following the prompts to enter your personal information
Top up your Wise account in the currency of your choice
Order your Wise card for a one time 13.7 MYR fee
Complete the verification step
Your card will arrive in the mail within 14 working days
How do I activate my Wise card?
Before you can use your Wise card you’ll need to activate it. Simply, make a payment using your card and enter your PIN. If the payment gets declined, use the card at an ATM to either make a balance enquiry or cash withdrawal and your card should activate automatically.
How do I add money on the Wise card?
To add money to your Wise card you’ll need to top up your Wise account. The funds are then available to spend using your card. You can add money to a Wise Malaysia account either via bank transfer or FPX.
Each payment method will have its own fee, so you’ll want to check the details before you pick the right one for you.
Here’s how to add money to Wise for spending with your Wise card:
Log into your Wise account online or in the Wise app
Select the currency balance you want to top up
Tap Add
Confirm the currency you want to pay with
Enter the amount you want to top up and select a payment method
Check everything over, confirm and follow the prompts to complete the payment
Conclusion: is it worth using your Wise card in Europe?
Using your Wise card while you travel in Europe can be convenient, safe, and mean you cut your costs too. You can spend in euros, pounds or more or less any other of the major currencies used in Europe, and you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate every time you need to switch from one currency to another.
Leave your money in Malaysian Ringgit for convenience and allow the Wise card’s auto convert tools to switch to the destination currency when you pay - or exchange what you need in advance to lock in a good exchange rate and set your travel budget in advance. Either way, you’ll get easy payments and low fees, with the mid-market rate every time.
How to use a Wise card in Europe: FAQ
How can I use my Wise card in Europe?
Use your Wise card in Europe in the same way as you do in Malaysia. You can spend and make withdrawals wherever your card’s network is supported, and your money will be converted to the currency you need with the mid-market rate and low fees.
Related: Is Wise card debit or credit card?
Where can I use my Wise card in Europe?
Use your Wise card in Europe anywhere the card’s network is supported. Just look out for the Mastercard or Visa logo on ATMs or at payment terminals in stores and restaurants.
How can I withdraw money with my Wise card in Europe?
Make cash withdrawals in the local currency wherever you are in Europe, by inserting your card into an ATM that supports your card network, entering your PIN and selecting the amount you want to withdraw. Remember to pay in the local currency to avoid extra costs due to DCC.