Revolut abroad: the complete traveller's guide

Why is Revolut ideal for travelling?

The main reason is simple: Revolut applies the interbank exchange rate, in other words the "wholesale" rate banks use among themselves. That rate, which you can look up on Google or XE.com, is strictly better than anything offered by a physical bureau de change or a traditional bank.

Concrete example: converting 1,000 USD

Indicative rates for illustration. The interbank rate fluctuates constantly.

On a two-week trip with €2,000 of spending in foreign currencies, the saving compared with a traditional bank can exceed €50, which is more than the annual cost of a Revolut Plus plan (€40 a year). And that saving adds up with every trip.

Card payments abroad: what you need to know

The golden rule: always pay in the local currency

When you pay with your card abroad, the payment terminal sometimes offers to charge you "in euros". This option is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), and it is a systematic trap you should refuse without exception.

Here is how it works: the merchant (or its bank) applies its own exchange rate, which includes a commission of 3 to 6% in its favour. By accepting DCC, you give up Revolut's interbank rate and let the terminal overcharge you. The terminal may tell you that "you know exactly how much you are paying in euros": that is true, but at a far less favourable rate.

Reflex to adopt: as soon as the terminal shows the amount in euros (and you are outside the eurozone), always press "Local currency" or decline the conversion. On some terminals, DCC is misleadingly presented as the default option.

Exchange allowances by plan

The Standard plan includes €1,000/month of fee-free exchange (calendar month) on weekdays. Beyond that allowance, a 0.5% commission applies, plus a 1% mark-up at the weekend. For the paid plans:

• Plus: €3,000/month fee-free, then 0.5%; weekend mark-up of 0.5%
• Premium: unlimited exchange at the interbank rate, no weekend mark-up
• Metal: unlimited exchange at the interbank rate, no weekend mark-up
• Ultra: unlimited exchange at the interbank rate, no weekend mark-up

For a big trip, if you are on the Standard plan, consider exchanging your currencies before the 1st of the month to make the most of the monthly allowance available.

ATM withdrawals abroad

Cash withdrawals from ATMs abroad are subject to monthly allowances depending on your plan. Beyond them, a commission of 2% of the amount (minimum €1) applies on all plans, Ultra included. Here are the allowances:

Important point: the local ATM's own fees (often labelled "ATM fee" or "withdrawal fee" on screen) are outside Revolut's control. Some ATMs, notably in Thailand, Mexico or the Dominican Republic, charge a fixed €2 to €5 per withdrawal, regardless of your bank. To minimise these fixed fees, make a single large withdrawal rather than several small ones.

Practical tip: if an ATM offers you a "conversion" option (DCC again), always refuse. Choose to withdraw "without conversion" or "in local currency".

Exchanging currency before the trip

Revolut lets you exchange currencies directly in the app before you leave. You then hold a balance in the foreign currency, which is used first when you pay on the spot: no conversion at the time of payment, it has all been done already.

When should you exchange before leaving?

If you are travelling to a destination with a volatile currency, or if you want to lock in the rate for peace of mind, exchanging in advance in the app is a good option. Revolut offers two modes:

• Live rate: the interbank rate of the moment, optimal on weekdays
• Rate alert: set an alert to be notified when the rate reaches your target

Supported currencies

Revolut supports more than 30 currencies for in-app exchange, including the main ones: USD, GBP, JPY, CHF, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD, HKD, NOK, SEK, DKK, PLN, CZK, HUF, RON, BGN and many more. Card payments work in more than 150 currencies: for currencies you do not hold in the app, the conversion happens at the time of payment, at the interbank rate.

Weekend fees by plan

From Friday 5 pm to Sunday 6 pm (New York time), the interbank markets are closed and Revolut has to cover the weekend exchange-rate risk. It therefore applies a mark-up on conversions: 1% on Standard and 0.5% on Plus. Premium, Metal and Ultra have no weekend mark-up. If you are on the free plan or Plus, do your exchanges on weekdays, ideally before you leave.

Travel insurance included by plan

This is one of the most important arguments for choosing a paid Revolut plan, as long as you understand its limits.

Honest analysis: when Revolut insurance is enough

Trips in Europe: Premium or Metal insurance is generally sufficient for a trip within Europe. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, known in France as the CEAM) already covers emergency care in the EU, and Revolut insurance tops up for costs not reimbursed under the EHIC.

Trips to the United States or Canada: American medical costs can reach astronomical sums (several tens of thousands of dollars for a hospital stay). Premium, Metal and Ultra cover emergency medical expenses up to €10,000,000, an adequate level; Plus's basic cover is not. Check the excesses and exclusions in your plan's conditions before leaving.

Trips to South-East Asia, South America: medical costs are lower, so Revolut insurance is generally adequate, but always check the limits.

For an in-depth analysis of the insurance included by plan, see our complete guide to Revolut insurance.

Countries where Revolut works

Revolut can be used in more than 150 countries for card payments. The Revolut product itself (the app and the account) can be opened by residents of more than 40 countries: the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Singapore, Japan and several others.

Areas with very good coverage

• The whole European Union and the EEA
• United Kingdom
• United States, Canada
• Australia, New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong
• United Arab Emirates
• South Africa

Areas with limitations

• Countries under embargo (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Belarus): payments impossible, in line with international regulations
• Regions with weak banking infrastructure: some parts of sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia where card acceptance is the exception outside the big cities
• Mainland China: Visa and Mastercard acceptance is very limited, plan for WeChat Pay/Alipay or cash

Practical tips before you leave

Here is the complete checklist to run through before every international trip:

• ✓ Check your remaining exchange allowance for the month: if you leave mid-month, work out whether your Standard monthly allowance is still enough or whether you should upgrade temporarily
• ✓ Download offline maps in Google Maps: GPS navigation works without data, and you will still know where you are
• ✓ Turn on payment notifications: you will know instantly if your card is used
• ✓ Check that your insurance covers your destination: read the conditions in the app, check the medical limits
• ✓ Take a backup card: a network outage, an ATM that swallows your card, an app that stops responding... always have a plan B
• ✓ Exchange a small cash reserve before leaving: for taxis, tips and situations without a payment terminal
• ✓ Check your card's expiry date: a card expiring while you travel is a situation to avoid
• ✓ Save Revolut's emergency support number: available in the app, useful when offline

Special cases: paying in several currencies

Some trips cross several countries with different currencies: Eastern Europe, a South American road trip, a round-the-world trip. Revolut natively handles multi-currency accounts.

How the debit logic works: when you pay in a foreign currency, Revolut first checks whether you hold a balance in that currency. If so, it uses it directly with no conversion. If not, it debits your main balance (usually in euros) at the interbank rate.

For a multi-country trip, the optimal strategy is to:

1. Keep your euros as your base currency
2. Not pre-convert into currencies you will use little: the live rate at the time of payment is equivalent
3. Pre-convert only if you fear the rate will worsen or if you are heading somewhere without a good connection