Foreign transaction fees in Berlin

somerset_1

Hello, my friends and I are moving from the UK to Berlin at the end of January ...we plan initially to see how it goes for 2 or 3 months but that might turn into longer - indeed - forever ! I want to be able to use a DEBIT card over there without withdrawal or transaction fees.

At the moment I have a Santander account and there are charges for both withdrawals and transactions. I was under the impression that Nationwide offered a fee-free debit card, but this doesn't appear to be the case any more ? I am 100% not getting a credit card as I am not disciplined enough to keep up the repayments and previously got into loads of debt this way. A friend suggested I get a German bank account once I'm there, maybe with Deutsche Bank, and also mentioned that if I get part-time work when I'm out there, I'd need a German account any way (maybe for paying rent too ?) ? I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions or can advise me the best thing to do for this situation. I don't mind switching to another uk bank but I currently have a £2000 overdraft, which - whilst I'm not overdrawn at present - I would like still to have on the new account if I did switch.

Thank you : )

zagfles

I think Metrobank are still fee free in Europe. But they only have branches in the London area I believe.

phatbear

zagfles wrote: »

I think Metrobank are still fee free in Europe. But they only have branches in the London area I believe.

Well we've got one in sunny southend so there must be more sites than just london

zagfles

phatbear wrote: »

Well we've got one in sunny southend so there must be more sites than just london

Saaafend counts as the 'London area' But I see they have made it as far as Milton Keynes and Brighton - but not managed to get past the Watford Gap yet.

NiftyDigits

Added to the above...Revolut as a back up. Kalixa Pay for purchases.

Voyager2002

There is a German bank that will open accounts for people living in the UK: search the Forum for posts giving details.

For fee-free withdrawals from a UK account you would need a UK-based bank account: there are a few, including the Cumberland Building Society. For Metro bank you just need to visit a branch for a couple of hours: no need to live in London.

SW17

zagfles wrote: »

I think Metrobank are still fee free in Europe. But they only have branches in the London area I believe.

Definitely still fee-free in Europe, I use my Metrobank debit card regularly in Europe for ATM withdrawals.

Regarding the OP''s comment about overdrafts, I don't know if Metro would agree a £2K overdraft facility on account opening (I didn't need one), but they don't necessarily require you to switch accounts anyway. I told them I needed it as an additional account and they didn't bat an eyelid, was all done in less than an hour with a debit card in hand. I suppose that's dependent on their credit checks etc.

PeacefulWaters

Voyager2002 wrote: »

There is a German bank that will open accounts for people living in the UK: search the Forum for posts giving details.

I believe there's an EU directive that will allow basic bank accounts to be opened in any EEA country, even if you live elsewhere. End of 2016 for implementation rings a bell.

jumperabv3

zagfles wrote: »

I think Metrobank are still fee free in Europe. But they only have branches in the London area I believe.

And there is another account N&P that offers a similar card (but requires you to put some money in to avoid monthly fees) - better look at all the options here:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cardsloans/article-2296284/Best-debit-credit-cards-overseas-spending.html

katejo

Just a note of warning in case you try to use your UK debit card initially. I was unable to buy a travel ticket from a machine on arrival at the airport and couldn't see why. A local told me that visa Debit isn't widely accepted in Germany. They use Maestro which we can no longer get here. I asked my bank on my return and it was a surprise to them. Fortunately my hotel did accept Visa Debit and I was only there for a few days.

NiftyDigits

katejo wrote: »

Just a note of warning in case you try to use your UK debit card initially. I was unable to buy a travel ticket from a machine on arrival at the airport and couldn't see why. A local told me that visa Debit isn't widely accepted in Germany. They use Maestro which we can no longer get here. I asked my bank on my return and it was a surprise to them. Fortunately my hotel did accept Visa Debit and I was only there for a few days.

Not true of course...

Adam & Co
Bank of Ireland
The British Bank of the Middle East
Clydesdale Bank
Coutts & Co.
First Direct
HSBC Bank
HSBC Investment Bank plc
HSBC Private Bank (UK) Limited
Isle of Man Bank
NatWest Bank
Northern Bank
Royal Bank of Scotland Group
Yorkshire Bank
Ulster Bank
Whiteaway Laidlaw Bank