The cost of using cards abroad

Your debit card or credit card

The cost of using cards abroad

Your debit card or credit card

 

For your convenience, we've provided information on how much it costs to make payments or withdraw cash abroad, and which cards should be used for what:

  • Your debit card is the cheapest option inside the euro area. You will not be charged when you pay with your credit card in a euro country, but withdrawing cash is more expensive.
  • Paying with your credit card is cheaper outside the euro area. It's also better to use your credit card when making cash withdrawals above 110 euros in non-euro countries.

Debit card transaction fees are not charged for euro transactions in the following geographical areas: Åland Islands, Azores, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, Czech Republic, Denmark, French Guiana, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Madeira, Martinique, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

A complete overview and three example amounts are provided below to allow you to make a quick comparison.

Using your payment card in euro countries (outside Belgium)

Debit card

The cost of using cards abroad
  • Making payments is free of charge, regardless of the amount involved
  • Withdrawing cash at an ATM is in principle free of charge for KBC Brussels Plus Account holders

Important: some ATM operators charge a transaction fee (a fixed amount or a percentage) when you withdraw cash. Usually you are notified of this on the ATM itself.

Prepaid card and credit card

  • Making payments is free of charge, regardless of the amount involved
  • Withdrawing cash at other banks' ATMs costs 1% of the amount involved, with a minimum charge of 5 euros
  • Withdrawing cash over the counter in a bank costs 2% of the amount involved, with a minimum charge of 5 euros
  Cash withdrawal at an ATM

Cash withdrawal in a bank

25 euros 5 euros

5 euros

150 euros 5 euros 5 euros
500 euros 5 euros 10 euros
  25 euros: how much does it cost…

150 euros: how much does it cost…

500 euros: how much does it cost…

…when withdrawing this amount at an ATM? 5 euros 5 euros 5 euros
…when withdrawing this amount in a bank or bureau de change? 5 euros 5 euros 10 euros

The cheapest way to make payments and withdraw cash in a euro country is with your debit card.

Using your payment card outside the euro area

An exchange commission will be charged for payments and cash withdrawals. It is included in the exchange rate appearing on your account statement or billing statement. However, you will not have to pay this commission if the transaction is in euros.

For European Economic Area (‘EEA’) currencies, the exchange commission is 1.6% of the ECB reference exchange rate used to convert the relevant amount into euros. See these euro foreign exchange reference rates.

Debit card

 

Payment in a shop

Cash withdrawal at an ATM

25 euros

1.09 euros

4.11 euros

150 euros 3.51 euros 8.05 euros
500 euros 10.29 euros 19.06 euros
 

25 euros: how much does it cost…

150 euros: how much does it cost…

500 euros: how much does it cost…

…when paying this amount in a shop?

1.09 euros

3.51 euros

10.29 euros

…when withdrawing this amount at an ATM?

4.11 euros

8.05 euros

19.06 euros

Prepaid cards and credit card

  Payment in a shop

Cash withdrawal at an ATM

Cash withdrawal in a bank or bureau de change

25 euros

0.40 euros

5.40 euros

5.40 euros

150 euros

2.40 euros

7.40 euros

7.40 euros

500 euros

8 euros

13 euros

18 euros

  25 euros: how much does it cost…

150 euros: how much does it cost…

500 euros: how much does it cost…

…when paying this amount in a shop?

0.40 euros 

2.40 euros

8 euros

…when withdrawing this amount at an ATM?

 5.40 euros

7.40 euros

 13 euros

…when withdrawing this amount in a bank or bureau de change?

5.40 euros

7.40 euros

 18 euros

The cheapest way to make payments and withdraw larger amounts of cash (110 euros and above) outside the euro area is with your credit card.

What to do if your payment card is lost, stolen or retained by an ATM?

telefoonnummer Card Stop

Lost your debit card, credit card or prepaid card, or had it stolen? Act without delay! Block your card with KBC Brussels Mobile or call Card Stop on 078 170 170. Your card will then be blocked straightaway.

Card Stop can be contacted at any time. If your card is stolen, make sure the police draw up an official report within 24 hours.

KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card and KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card are traditional credit cards issued by: KBC Bank NV, with registered office at Havenlaan 2, 1080 Brussels, Belgium. VAT BE 0462.920.226, RLP Brussels, FSMA 026 256 A. Subject to your card application being approved by KBC Bank NV.

² This KBC Brussels credit card is no longer being sold, so information on this page is just for existing card holders.

The KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card and KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card are credit cards issued by: KBC Bank NV, with registered office at Havenlaan 2, 1080 Brussels, Belgium, VAT BE 0462.920.226, RLP Brussels, FSMA 026256 A.

KBC Brussels Flex Budget is an open-ended credit facility linked to the KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card, KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card or KBC Brussels Platinum Credit Card and used as an additional means for drawing credit.

Lender and credit card issuer: KBC Bank NV. Subject to your card or credit application being approved by KBC Bank NV.

The annual percentage rates of charge of 11,33% for a KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget, 11,31% for a KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget and 10,31% for a KBC Brussels Platinum Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget are calculated on the basis of the following assumptions:

  • *the standard credit amount is 2,500 euros for a KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget, 5,000 euros for a KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget and 7,500 euros for a KBC Brussels Platinum Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget;
  • *the stated credit amount is drawn down immediately and in full by means of payment at a retailer; paying at retailers within the SEPA is the most common way the card is used;
  • *the variable debit rate of interest stands at 9,19% for a KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget, 8,77% for a KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget and 7,72% for a KBC Brussels Platinum Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget
  • *the fee for the credit card is 42 euros for a KBC Brussels Silver Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget, 78 euros for a KBC Brussels Gold Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget and 114 euros for a KBC Brussels Platinum Credit Card with KBC Brussels Flex Budget;
  • *the credit has a term of one year;
  • *the credit amount is repaid in equal monthly instalments (at the end of each period); debit interest is calculated based on projected credit use and principal repayments. 

How do I apply for a credit card online?

You can apply for a credit card quickly and easily from home using KBC Brussels Touch. We'll show you how.

Online purchase protection insurance

Was your online purchase damaged on delivery? The Online purchase protection insurance will cover the costs

What's the difference between your debit card and your credit card?

Credit cards are not like debit cards. They work differently and provide different benefits. Let us explain.

Delayed flight or missed connection?

Are you a regular flyer? This insurance will pay your additional expenses in the event of delays or overbooking.