Comparing EU and EEA currency conversion charges

It’s important to be able to compare currency conversion charges when making a card transaction in euros and other European Economic Area (EEA) currencies. This could be a purchase or an ATM withdrawal.

What you’re charged depends on two things:


  • the currency conversion rate – the VISA exchange rate, which is set daily
  • the non-sterling transaction fee – some of our cards include a fee when you make a transaction in a different currency.

All banks and building societies are required to use the European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate to help you compare these charges.

How it works

The tables show:


  • the non-sterling transaction fee for your card
  • how total currency conversion charges (including the non-sterling transaction fee) compare to the ECB reference rate.

The difference to the ECB reference rate is shown as a percentage. It lets you compare the currency conversion charges of different banks and building societies.

Charges for credit card transactions made in euros or an EEA currency

Classic / Gold / Cash Reward (Gold and Classic) / Select and Member Credit Card Nationwide Credit Card
Currency amount 100 euro 100 euro
Non-sterling transaction fee 0.00% 2.00%*
Our total currency conversion charges (shown as a percentage against the ECB rate) +0.11% +2.11%

*This charge only only applies to the amount over any allowance you’ve earned

Table was last updated on 6th October 2020

Charges for debit card transactions made in euros or an EEA currency

Flex Plus / Flex One / Flex Student / Flex Graduate Flex Direct / Flex Account / Flex Basic
Currency amount 100 euro 100 euro
Non-sterling transaction fee 0.00% 2.99%
Our total currency conversion charges (shown as a percentage against the ECB rate) +0.11% +3.10%

Table was last updated on 6th October 2020

Calculate currency conversion charges

You can work out the exact charges using VISA’s calculator. When it asks you for the ‘bank fee’, use the non-sterling transaction fee for your card (if it has one). You can find this in the tables on this page.

Keep in mind

Exchange rates can change every day. These tables are just a guide. They were last updated on 6th October 2020 using:


  • VISA’s exchange rate for that day
  • the ECB reference rate for that day.

VISA will convert your payment using their currency conversion rate which applies on the day they receive your transaction details for processing. The rate may not be the same as the one that applied on the day you made the card transaction. If this happens, the currency conversion charges will be different.

Currencies that apply

Euro
Bulgarian Lev
Croatian Kuna
Czech Koruna
Danish Krone
Hungarian Forint
Polish Zloty
Romanian Leu
Swedish Krona
Swiss Francs
Norwegian Krona
Icelandic Krona