Skip to content Go to accessibility help
We use cookies to keep our websites easy to use and relevant to our users’ requirements and to enable us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website. Select Accept below if you wish to proceed or How to change your cookies for instructions on how to manage your cookie settings. Find out more about our Cookie Policy.
Accept
How to change your cookies

Using your credit and debit cards outside the UK

At Yorkshire Bank, we can help you keep your finances safe and accessible while you travel. Check these pages for important information that you may need before using your cards outside the UK.

Who do I tell if I’m planning to use my debit or credit card abroad?

If you plan to use your cards outside Europe, let us know your travel plans at least 24 hours in advance if you can. Registering your trip with us will reduce the chance of your transactions being declined, allowing you to use your card outside the UK with increased confidence.

You don’t need to tell us when you are travelling within Europe as we will monitor your account in the same way as if you were using your card in the UK.

Please contact Direct Banking if you are travelling outside of Europe on 0800 678 3380. Please provide:

  • The country or countries you’re travelling to
  • The dates you will be there
  • The accounts you will be using.

Contact us

Call
0800 678 3380
(Open 24 hours every day)

This service may be temporarily unavailable during periods of routine maintenance.

Exchange rates
Fees for card payments outside the UK
Product comparisons
Travel options
  • Yorkshire Bank credit card Yorkshire Bank debit card B credit card
    If you use your Yorkshire Bank credit card in a currency other than sterling, we will convert this at the payment scheme exchange rate according to the type of card that you have (Mastercard® or Visa) - please see the links below to the Mastercard and Visa websites. If you use your Debit Mastercard in a currency other than sterling, we will convert this at the Mastercard exchange rate for the majority of transactions. Please see the link below to the Mastercard website. You may be able to convert the currency directly with the retailer or ATM provider instead of using the Mastercard exchange rate. In this case, they will present the exchange rate and any fees to you on screen before you agree to proceed with the transaction. If you use your B credit card in a currency other than sterling, we will convert this at a payment scheme exchange rate determined by Mastercard® - please see the link below to the Mastercard website.
    The rate that you will see on your credit card statement will be the payment scheme exchange rate according to the type of card that you have. Foreign usage fees are not charged on purchases or cash advances carried out in the local currency. The rate that you will see on your Current, Savings or Business account statement will be the Mastercard exchange rate. Additional fees will be shown separately in the statement wording (see "Fees for card payments outside the UK") The rate that you will see on your credit card statement will be the payment scheme exchange rate according to the type of card that you have. Foreign usage fees will be shown on the statement separately from the purchase or cash advance transaction.

    You can find the latest and historical payment scheme exchange rates at Mastercard and Visa

    For card transactions made within the EEA or in an EEA currency you can find out the reference exchange rate by calling us on 0800 678 3380.
  • Yorkshire Bank credit card Yorkshire Bank debit card B credit card
    Foreign usage fees apply to credit card transactions completed in any currency other than sterling. Fees for debit card payments apply if you use a debit card with a supplier or ATM based outside the UK, for transactions in in any foreign currency or sterling. Foreign usage fees do not currently apply to the B credit card .
    We will charge one or both of the following:

    Non-Sterling Transaction fee 2.95%

    Cash Fee 3%, minimum £3.00

    For example, both fees will apply together when withdrawing local currency from an ATM outside the UK. Buying goods from outside the UK priced in local currency will only incur the non-sterling transaction fee.     		We will charge either one of the following:

    Foreign Purchase Fee 2.75%, minimum £1.50
    • Your statement will show "FGN Purchase Fee" if you pay using local currency.
    • If you pay in sterling outside the UK, your statement will show "FGN PurchFee inGBP".
    Foreign Cash Fee 3.75%, minimum £1.50
    • Your statement will show "FGN Cash Fee" if you withdraw local currency from an ATM.
    • If you withdraw sterling currency from an ATM outside the UK, your statement will show "FGN Cash Fee in GBP".
    For example, withdrawing local currency from an ATM outside the UK will incur a Foreign Cash Fee, but buying goods or services face-to-face or from a website priced in foreign currency will incur a Foreign Purchase Fee.

    If you agree that a merchant or ATM can convert a debit card transaction or ATM withdrawal into sterling, because the supplier is outside the UK we will still charge either a Foreign Purchase Fee or Foreign Cash Fee as appropriate. You should also check what exchange rate will be used by the merchant.    		 We will charge the following:

    Cash Fee 3%, minimum £3.00

    For example, the Cash Fee is charged when withdrawing local currency from an ATM outside the UK.
    The Cash Fee is charged on cash advances which includes transfers to another account which are not balance transfers, or if you buy any foreign currency or travellers' cheques, or if you use your card for gambling. Foreign Cash Fee is charged on the value of withdrawals made from ATMs. A purchase with cashback outside the UK is not is not treated as cash and is charged a Foreign Purchase Fee. The Cash Fee is charged on cash advances which includes transfers to another account which are not balance transfers, or if you buy any foreign currency or travellers' cheques, or if you use your card for gambling.
    If you agree that a merchant (for example, a shop or retailer) or ATM can convert a credit card transaction into sterling, we will not charge a Non-Sterling Transaction fee but you should check what exchange rate will be used by the merchant. Where a foreign purchase transaction is refunded by a retailer, the purchase transaction amount will be credited back to the account based on the exchange rate on the day of refund. The Foreign Purchase Fee charged for the original transaction will not be refunded. For any foreign reversals received, the original Foreign Purchase Fee will be reversed. If a foreign transaction is reversed, your statement will show "FGN PurcFee REV" for a local currency transaction, and "FGN PurcFee GBPREV" for a reversed transaction in sterling. If you agree that a merchant (for example, a shop or retailer) or ATM can convert a credit card transaction into sterling, we will not charge a non-sterling transaction fee but you should check what exchange rate will be used by the merchant.
    There are no specific overseas spending limits for our credit cards.

    As in the UK, you are limited to the equivalent of £500 per day in ATM cash withdrawals, but higher cash amounts may be available over a bank counter.     		Daily cash limits apply outside the UK as they do for our debit cards in the UK:
    £350 (Debit Mastercard online contactless or Debit Mastercard non contactless) or
    £500 (Retail/Private Debit Mastercard contactless).
    Higher cash amounts may be available over a bank counter.

    International purchase limits also apply to transactions with suppliers outside the UK -
    £5,000 per day (Debit Mastercard online contactless or Debit Mastercard non contactless) or
    £10,000 per day (Retail/Private Debit Mastercard contactless)     		There are no specific overseas spending limits for our credit cards.

    As in the UK, you are limited to the equivalent of £500 per day in ATM cash withdrawals, but higher cash amounts may be available over a bank counter.
    Interest-free periods apply to credit card purchases outside the UK in the same way as in the UK. In the case of cash advances, interest is charged from the date the transaction was added to your account, even if you pay us in full by the payment date.   Interest-free periods apply to credit card purchases outside the UK in the same way as in the UK. In the case of cash advances, interest is charged from the date the transaction was added to your account, even if you pay us in full by the payment date.

    Illustrative Example

    Worked examples are shown below, based on a €100 cash withdrawal and using a Mastercard exchange rate or £1.00 - €1.133648, or €1.00 = £0.887292.

    Yorkshire Bank Credit card:
    €100 equivalent is £88.73 and will be shown on your statement with the Mastercard exchange rate;
    On separate lines your statement will show related fees -
    The 2.95% Non-Sterling Transaction fee is £2.62,
    The 3.00% (minimum £3) Cash Fee is £3.00.
    (Total cost £94.35)

    Yorkshire Bank Debit card:
    €100 equivalent is £88.73;
    Your statement will show the Mastercard exchange rate;
    The 3.75% Foreign Cash Fee is FGN Cash Fee £3.33;
    Total sterling equivalent cost will be shown on your statement as £92.06.

    B Credit card:
    €100 equivalent is £88.73 and will be shown on your statement with the Mastercard exchange rate;
    On separate lines your statement will show related fees -
    The 3.00% (minimum £3) Cash Fee is £3.00.
    (Total cost £91.73)

  • These examples compare the cost of making certain transactions. The debit card and credit card rates used are the payment scheme exchange rate set by Mastercard which applied on 1st June 2019. On this date Mastercard quoted £1.00 - €1.133648, or €1.00 = £0.887292.

      Gold Mastercard credit card B credit card Debit card Cash Passport prepaid currency card (in euros) Euro travellers' cheques and foreign currency
    €100 purchase £91.35 total

    including our Non-Sterling Transaction fee.    		 £88.73 total

    		 £91.17 total

    including our Foreign Purchase Fee.     		€100

    The cost in sterling depends on the rate which applied on the day when funds were loaded on the card.    		 €100

    The cost in sterling depends on the rate which applied on the day when foreign currency or travellers' cheques were purchased.
    €100 cash withdrawal £94.35 total

    including our non-sterling transaction fee and Cash Fee.    		 £91.73 total

    including our Cash Fee.    		 £92.06 total

    including our Foreign Cash Fee.    		 The cost in sterling depends on the rate which applied on the day when funds were loaded on the card.

    A fixed ATM fee applies per withdrawal. For a card in euros, this fee is €3.75.    		 Encashing traveller’s cheques may incur an additional fee, charged by the local bureau.

    Sterling travellers' cheques or notes will be encashed at a rate set by the local bureau.
    Other comments

    Transactions are added to your statement to be repaid in the same way as other credit card transactions.

    Cash advances abroad (and in UK) will be charged interest from the date they are debited to your account.

    		Transactions are taken from your current or savings account Transactions are taken from funds loaded onto the card in advance, and cards are available in other currencies. Funds can be topped-up when required. A free second card and emergency cash is available in the event of loss or theft. Purchased in advance before travelling. Unlike foreign currency cash, travellers' cheques can be replaced if lost.

  • Yorkshire Bank offers the following travel facilities:

You are here:  Personal Banking  >  Travel  >  Using your cards abroad

You can find impartial information and guidance on money matters on the “Money advice service” website.
Yorkshire Bank is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Find out more.