Using a Wise account while travelling can make spending abroad simpler and more transparent. This guide walks through setting up before you leave, using your card at ATMs and terminals, avoiding dynamic currency conversion, and topping up mid-trip, so you arrive ready to spend with confidence.
Before you leave: set up and fund your account
The best time to set up Wise is at least a week before your trip, not at the airport. Account verification usually takes a few hours, but it can take longer, and a physical card takes several days to arrive by post.
Setting up:
- Download the Wise app or sign up at Wise
- Complete identity verification (a passport or driving licence photo plus a selfie)
- Order your Wise card from within the app
- Add funds via bank transfer, debit card, or open banking, with bank transfer usually the cheapest method
Loading currency before departure: Once your account is funded in your home currency, you can convert to your destination currency in advance. Tap Send, select the currency, then convert. The money sits in your Wise balance, ready to spend. This is useful for settling on a rate before a trip to a destination where the currency might move.
At the destination: using your Wise card
At ATMs: Insert your Wise card as normal. Always select the local currency when prompted, and decline dynamic currency conversion, explained below. Wise includes a number of fee-free ATM withdrawals each month, and beyond that allowance standard charges apply, which you can review in the Wise app.
At card terminals: Tap or insert as normal. Wise automatically draws from the correct currency balance. If you do not hold a balance in that currency, Wise converts from your largest balance at the current mid-market rate.
Dynamic currency conversion (DCC): If a terminal asks whether you would like to pay in your home currency, always say no. This is DCC, where the terminal applies its own exchange rate, which is consistently worse than the mid-market rate. Always choose to pay in the local currency.
Topping up mid-trip
If you run low on funds while abroad, you can top up your Wise account in the app using a linked debit card. This is instant for most UK debit cards. Wise then converts to the destination currency at the real rate, and the funds are available immediately on your card.
Monitoring your spending
The Wise app shows every transaction in real time with the exact exchange rate applied. You can see your balance in each currency, set spending notifications, and freeze your card instantly if it is lost.
Before each ATM withdrawal: a quick checklist
- Select the local currency, not your home currency
- Check your Wise balance in that currency is sufficient
- If using the Wise card for the first time, make sure it is activated in the app
- Know your PIN, the same one you set when you ordered the card
For the full picture of how Wise compares with a standard bank card, see our Wise versus your bank comparison. For broader pre-trip money planning, see the travel money checklist.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell Wise I am travelling abroad?
No. Unlike some traditional banks, Wise does not require you to set a travel notice before using your card overseas. It is designed for international spending, so your card simply works abroad once it is activated.
Can I use Wise in any country?
The Wise card works in most countries where cards are accepted, and it holds and converts a wide range of currencies. Check the Wise app for the current list of supported currencies and any regional limitations before you travel.
Should I convert currency before my trip or pay as I go?
Both work. Converting in advance lets you settle on a rate before you leave, while paying as you go converts at the mid-market rate at the moment of spending. Many travellers convert a portion ahead and let the rest convert automatically.
Why should I decline dynamic currency conversion?
Because the terminal's own exchange rate is consistently worse than the mid-market rate Wise uses. Always paying in the local currency lets Wise handle the conversion on better terms.
How long does it take to set up a Wise account?
Verification often completes within a few hours, though it can take longer. A physical card arrives by post over several days, so set everything up at least a week before you travel.
Can I withdraw cash with my Wise card abroad?
Yes. Insert the card at an ATM, choose the local currency, and decline dynamic currency conversion. Wise includes a number of fee-free withdrawals each month, with standard charges beyond that allowance.
What happens if I lose my Wise card while travelling?
You can freeze the card instantly in the Wise app, which stops further spending. You can also order a replacement and, in many cases, continue using the digital card details for online payments in the meantime.
Does Wise work with Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes. You can add your Wise card to Apple Pay or Google Pay and pay by phone or watch, which is handy while you wait for a physical card or as a backup if the card is mislaid.
Can I hold more than one currency in Wise?
Yes. A Wise account can hold many currencies at once, and the card draws from the matching balance automatically, converting from your largest balance only when needed.