Euro credit card or prepaid credit card

Arrowhead

Hi all
I am a UK expat working in Belgium.
We do not know how luck we are in GBR having free banking, over here they charge and even charge for credit cards!
Fortunately I have do not have to pay for my banking due to a perk at work but I really could do with a credit card or a pre-paid card as I don't fancy wondering around on holiday in the eurozone with 2000 or so in cash on me.

Does anyone know of a fee free credit card or even pre paid card that can be paid or funded in euros and not sterling?
Thanks
nick

grumbler

Why can't you use a debit card?

Arrowhead

It's OK in Bel but they charge in any other eurozone country

fawinds

Open an euro current account with citibank in London. They will issue a fee free euro debit card linked to your account which you can use for purchases and ATMs in the eurozone.

The only issue is that these accounts used to be free. Now they charge £5 per month for them. I've got one with 0 balance and never get charged. Only deposit euros there when travelling in the eurozone.

Arrowhead

That's the closest yet but still looking for fee-free

bigadaj

Arrowhead wrote: »

That's the closest yet but still looking for fee-free

Good luck in your search but your comments could be taken as praising british banks which isn't a popular theme. The reality is that businesses make money in some way so the fallacy of thinking banking is free in the uk has contributed to the mis selling in many other areas such as ppi, endowments etc

I take advantage of free uk banking but realise that either I'm paying for it or more likely someone else is by paying increased charges or interest, and a simpler clearer system would be better for all concerned.

fawinds

Arrowhead wrote: »

That's the closest yet but still looking for fee-free

If you really use that much your debit card a £60 annual fee for the account shouldn't be that much. Anyway, a couple more options:

The same account BUT you must have a citibank plus current account with them and pay in £1800 per month in order to avoid fees. Obviously, if you have no sterling income this may not fit your requirements.

The final option, open an euro account in another eurozone country. I am not aware of the fees they may charge, but I have one current account in Spain with ING Direct and you get a free debit card. You do not pay fees for using it for purchases in euros, though I think you pay 1 euro for ATM use abroad. Another Spanish bank, Evo Bank, will give you a free debit card which is free to use in ATMs too within the eurozone. Obviously these accounts are not easy to open if you are not a resident in Spain, though they can definitely be opened. Also, frequently, with these kind of accounts you are required to set up a number of direct debits or arrange for your salary to be paid into the account in order to keep them fee free.

In my view, the citi euro account is the best option currently available.