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ABN AMRO

Payments abroad: checklist

If you’re heading off abroad, it is a good idea to find out how you should make your payments there. Maybe the country you are travelling to only accepts cash payments, or maybe credit cards are the norm. Work through our handy checklist to make sure you set off on your trip well prepared.

  1. Check your payment profile

    Your debit card is set to the Europe payment profile by default. Before you leave to go abroad, check whether you need to set your payment profile to World. You also need to use the World profile for some European countries. It may also be useful to temporarily adjust your payment limit. You can make both changes through the ABN AMRO app or Internet Banking via 'Self service'.

  2. Got a credit card?

    It's useful to take both a credit card and your debit card when travelling abroad. Credit cards are accepted in more shops and restaurants than debit cards. If you want to hire a car abroad, you will need a credit card. If you pay for your trip using your credit card, you will usually get free insurance against delays to your luggage and flights.

  3. Check the currency and exchange rate

    If you're travelling to a non-EU country, you can't pay in euros like in the Netherlands. You have to pay in the local currency. Check the currency and exchange rate of the country you will be visiting. That way, there'll be no nasty surprises. Good to know: exchange rates change from day to day. Find out everything you need to know about foreign money, foreign currency and exchange rates.

  4. Taking cash abroad

    If you're going to be travelling outside of Europe, it may be useful to take a small amount of cash with you. You can change your money in advance at a bureau de change.

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Download the ABN AMRO app

Download the ABN AMRO app so you can do any necessary banking on the go. You may need to block your debit card in the app, for instance, transfer cash or change your payment limit.

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Annual travel insurance

Carefree travel with an annual travel insurance. All year round: for short and long trips.

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Fees for foreign currency withdrawals

Card payments and cash withdrawals abroad cost money. View the rates for foreign money.

View the rates

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I withdraw money abroad?

At an ATM, you are usually given the choice between 'withdrawal without conversion' (paying in the local currency) and 'conversion to your home currency' (paying in euros). For 'withdrawal without conversion', we convert the local amount to euros for you using ABN AMRO's exchange rate. If you choose 'conversion to your home currency', the foreign bank will convert the amount. Foreign banks often use unfavourable exchange rates. Therefore, it's better to choose 'withdrawal without conversion'. Sometimes, you can withdraw less money abroad than is permitted in the Netherlands.

Is it better to withdraw money using a debit card or using a credit card?

You can withdraw money abroad using your debit card or your credit card. If you withdraw cash using your credit card, we will charge an additional fee of 4% over the total amount. You may also pay extra when you withdraw money using a debit card. The machine will indicate this in advance. It is usually cheaper to withdraw cash using your debit card.

How can I make payments abroad?

When abroad, restaurants and shops will often accept payment by debit card or credit card. By paying in this way, you will automatically pay the exchange rate that is valid at the time. The exchange rate varies from day to day. In most cases, you do not have to pay any extra fee when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

When you make a PIN transaction, you are sometimes asked to choose between 'withdrawal without conversion' (paying in the local currency) and 'conversion to your home currency' (paying in euros). For 'withdrawal without conversion', we convert the local amount to euros for you using ABN AMRO's exchange rate. If you choose 'conversion to your home currency', the foreign bank will convert the amount. Foreign banks often use unfavourable exchange rates. Therefore, it's better to choose 'withdrawal without conversion'.

A tour operator may charge an additional percentage on top of the amount you have to pay. In that case, it's a good idea to calculate whether you might be better off paying in cash. 

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