Euro travel card 29 August 2018 at 7:09PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Credit Cards 8 replies 694 views

sanfairyanne

I have quite a lot of euros in cash and as I'm going to mainland Europe for six months I want to get a bank card. Is there any way of getting a card?

It clearly makes no sense to use my debit card to convert sterling to euros when I have euros in cash. Needless to say though, I don't want to carry around a bag of cash.

Many thanks in advance

zx81

If you can get one, a credit card with no forex fees, such as Halifax Clarity, is the best option.

sanfairyanne

Zx81,

I once backpacked in Australia, I opened a basic bank account when I was over there. I guess I could never have asked for a loan! Like I say it was a super basic card. I was hoping something like that existed in Europe, considering I have Euros in cash I'd like to spend them rather than obtain a credit card even if there are no forex fees.

eDicky

You will not find any UK bank or prepaid card on which you can directly load cash euros. You could open a bank account in the eurozone, such as KBC Ireland, then go there with your cash, deposit it and use the debit card. Otherwise, just carry and use the cash.

sanfairyanne

eDicky,

Carrying around six months worth of Euros isn't an option. I'm looking into KBC Ireland, but it appears that you must be a resident of Ireland.

eDicky

sanfairyanne wrote: »

I'm looking into KBC Ireland, but it appears that you must be a resident of Ireland.

Not true, you can use a UK address and tax id, unless it's changed lately. If you search the Budgeting & Bank Accounts board for 'KBC' you will see that many have found it the easiest option, although there are others in Ireland, Germany and France.

Emily_Joy

I think you need to be more specific. I do know for sure that it is possible to open a bank account in France without being a resident...

sanfairyanne

Emily and eDicky,
Thanks very much, I'm about to start work in half an hour, but I'll look further into KBC later, I don't speak French, so it would be easier than trying to open an account in France.

sanfairyanne

eDicky,
I just thought I'd follow this up with a message to say I called KBC and you're right, it is possible to set up a Euro account (despite being from England). The account has a 2 euro per month fee which is waived if the account gets €2500 or more paid in per month. There's a fee of 30c per ATM withdrawal, but no fees for purchases. Thanks very much for the advice.