An international multicurrency debit card that lets you pay and withdraw money worldwide, without the foreign exchange fees your Dutch bank charges.
Dutch banks typically charge a 1.5–3% foreign exchange commission every time you pay in a non-euro currency. Whether you’re travelling outside Europe or shopping online from international retailers, that adds up quickly. The Wise card eliminates that fee by using the real mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see on Google.
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a financial technology company offering international money transfers, multi-currency accounts and debit card services. The Wise card is a Mastercard debit card accepted anywhere in the world where Mastercard is supported.
How does the Wise card work?
When you use the card to pay or withdraw money abroad, Wise converts your euros into the local currency at the real market exchange rate. Wise charges a small conversion fee for this, but it is generally much lower than what traditional banks charge. You can top up the card via iDEAL or bank transfer.
Advantages of the Wise Card
The Wise card has several advantages over using your Dutch bank card abroad:
- Real exchange rate: Wise uses the mid-market rate with no hidden markup — unlike banks that embed their margin in the rate.
- No maintenance fee: The Wise card has no monthly fee.
- No limits for normal everyday payments: You can pay in shops, restaurants and online without restrictions.
- Free ATM withdrawals: Withdraw up to €200 per month from any ATM at no extra charge.
Disadvantages of the Wise Card
- Not available in every country: The Wise card is available in more than 160 countries, but not all.
- Takes a few days to arrive: The physical card is delivered by post and can take several business days after applying.
- ATM fees above the free limit: After the €200/month free withdrawal allowance, Wise charges a small fee per ATM transaction.
How to apply for the Wise Card
The Wise card is available to anyone over 18. You can apply via the Wise website or the mobile app — you’ll need to provide basic personal details and verify your identity. Once approved, Wise will send the card to your home address along with a welcome letter and tracking number.
If you don’t have a Wise account yet, you can sign up here — it also supports the blog.
The ideal card for travel: multi-currency made simple
The Wise card is a solid choice for anyone travelling outside the eurozone. It offers real exchange rates, no monthly fee and no limits for everyday spending. If you’re looking for a card that saves you money on foreign transactions, Wise is worth considering.
One practical tip: the app lets you hold and convert money in multiple currencies before you travel. For example, you can convert euros to US dollars directly in the app before a trip to the US, and then spend in dollars when you arrive. The exchange rate Wise offers is better than what a standard bank card applies.
When paying abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency (not euros) when the card terminal gives you the option. Paying in euros via the terminal means the merchant applies their own exchange rate, which is usually worse.
