Credit card abroad
Do you have holiday plans, or are you going abroad for any other reason? You can pay easily and securely with a credit card, both in person and online.
Credit card accepted worldwide
A credit card is a more commonly accepted means of payment abroad than a debit card. You can use it all over the world. Would you like to rent a car at your holiday address? Or buy a nice painting at an American online auction? If so, keep your RaboCard or Rabo GoldCard to hand.
Cost of payments and cash withdrawals abroad
If you use your credit card in Europe to make payments or withdraw cash in a currency other than the euro, you will pay an additional 2% because of an exchange rate surcharge. We are required by European legislation to send you an email once a month. This will show you how much more you have paid compared to the exchange rate of the European Central Bank. This makes the costs within the European Union clearer. You will receive this email per currency and per card type. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time.
You can use our calculator to see the cost of a transaction and how much it differs from the European Central Bank’s average exchange rate.
Pay with your credit card abroad
Paying for your ticket to the Louvre or an excursion? In euro countries, paying with your credit card costs no more than paying with your debit card.
What if you pay in another currency? Then you will pay an additional 2% as an exchange rate surcharge. This cost is for money exchange. With a debit card, this cost is 1.4%. So, only use your credit card if you do not have a debit card or if it is not possible to pay by debit card.
Companies often reserve an amount on your credit card, for example when hiring a car or for a hotel stay. This reservation cannot be made on your debit card.
The same limits for your credit card apply abroad as in the Netherlands.
Withdraw cash using your credit card abroad
Withdrawing euros with your credit card
Withdrawing euros with your credit card costs €4.50 everywhere, within and outside Europe. And that includes the Netherlands. So, use your debit card if you can because it’s free of charge.
Withdrawing foreign currency with your credit card
Using your credit card to withdraw money in a foreign currency outside the euro area costs €4.50, plus a 2% exchange rate surcharge. These are costs that you pay for exchanging one currency into another. This 2% is calculated on the purchase price. What if you use your debit card to withdraw cash? With Rabo Standard or Rabo Free, this will cost €3.50. With a Youth Account, you will pay €2.00 and if you have Rabo Comfort, it’s free.
Withdrawing cash with your debit card
In any case, you will still pay a 1.4% exchange rate surcharge on top of the cost of withdrawing the cash. It is therefore cheaper to withdraw money with your debit card than with your credit card. In addition, some foreign ATMs charge for using the ATM. You can see these costs on the ATM screen when you withdraw money.
You can use your RaboCard or Rabo GoldCard to withdraw up to €750 per day. Some foreign banks have a lower limit at ATMs. At a bank counter, if this service is still offered, you can withdraw up to €1,000.
Four tips to help you play it smart with your credit card abroad
1. Activate your credit card in the Netherlands
Make sure your new credit card works by first activating it in the Netherlands.
2. Choose the local currency
When withdrawing cash in a foreign currency, choose the local currency (“withdrawal without conversion”). This is cheaper because Rabobank will determine the exchange rate.
3. Pay with your credit card
If you are undecided between withdrawing cash and paying with your credit card, then pay with your credit card to save on withdrawal costs.
4. Download the Rabo App
The Rabo App will also give you an insight into your spending abroad. Go to “Overview” and click on your credit card for a transaction overview. Do you need additional available funds? Then you can arrange this directly yourself.
Credit card lost, stolen, or damaged
If you have lost your credit card abroad, or it has been damaged or even stolen, block your credit card via the Rabo App or call the Emergency Line for immediate assistance 24/7 on +31 88 722 66 00. We will then block your credit card. If you no longer have a debit card, we may be able to help you with cash. In case of theft, report this to the local police too.