When comparing the best Canadian international debit cards for travel, there are several factors to consider, like whether they is Mastercard or Visa cobranded, what ATM networks you’ll have access to and—of course—what fees they charge.
That’s why we rounded up the best international debit cards and prepaid cards for travel to the US and overseas so you can easily compare options and find the best card for your next adventure.
Best international debit card options for travelling overseas
Best Visa debit card for travel: Tangerine Visa Debit card
Best international debit card: EQ Bank Card
Best debit card for travel from a Big Bank: BMO debit card
Best international card for earning interest and cashback: KOHO Extra Prepaid Card
The Tangerine Visa Debit card is a no-fee Visa debit card linked to Tangerine's chequing account. Although it does charge a foreign transaction fee, it's one of the only Visa debit cards available in Canada that comes with unlimited transactions for a $0 monthly fee.
Because Tangerine is a subsidiary of Scotiabank, the Tangerine debit card comes with free access to Scotiabank's entire ATM network, including the Global ATM Alliance. It's easy to sign up online in a few minutes, which gives you instant access to manage your card on Tangerine's highly-rated mobile app..
Get unlimited free transactions
Free Interac e-Transfers
Earn interest on your account balance
Can be used for online purchases
Free access to the Global ATM Alliance
Earn up to $250. Open a No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and switch your payroll deposits to your new Tangerine Chequing Account for 2 consecutive months to receive $250. Valid until October 31, 2025.
The EQ Bank Card is our pick for the best international card. Keep in mind that this is a prepaid debit card, so you'll have to load funds on it before you can use it. This card comes with no foreign transaction fees, FX fees or international ATM withdrawal fees. Plus, you'll earn 0.5% cashback on Canadian and international purchases.
Another big perk is that you'll earn interest on the funds loaded onto your card. Earn 3.50% on your card balance for 12 months when you set up $500/month or more in direct deposit of your pay to a Personal Account or Joint Account. Conditions apply. Thereafter, you'll earn 1.25% on your balance.
$0 annual or monthly fees
0% foreign transaction or FX fees
$0 international ATM withdrawal fees charged by EQ Bank
Earn 0.5% cashback cashback
Earn up to 3.50% interest on your card balance
Can be used for online purchases
Compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
You must have a linked EQ Personal Account (free to open) to load funds and use this prepaid card
Our pick for the best debit card for travel from a Big Bank is the Get this BMO debit card when you sign up for the BMO Performance Chequing Account.. You can get free withdrawals from overseas ATMs in the Cirrus Network without worrying about foreign transaction fees. Within Canada, you'll get unlimited free transactions and e-Transfers and a generous welcome bonus.
Get up to $750. Earn $500 when you open a new BMO Performance Chequing Account, $150 (plus a 4.70% promo interest rate) when you open a Savings Amplifier Account and $50 when you make it a BMO Family Bundle. Plus, get a $50 Walmart Canada eGift Card. Valid until September 30, 2025.
The debit card is cobranded with Mastercard, so it can be used for online purchases
Unlimited monthly transactions
$0 Interac e-Transfers
$40 fee rebate on the BMO Mastercard annual fee
BMO will reverse the first accidental fee charged to this account
Get up to $750. Earn $500 when you open a new BMO Performance Chequing Account, $150 (plus a 4.70% promo interest rate) when you open a Savings Amplifier Account and $50 when you make it a BMO Family Bundle. Plus, get a $50 Walmart Canada eGift Card. Valid until September 30, 2025.
To get all of the perks of the Performance Chequing Account, you'll need to a monthly fee of $17.95
You won't earn any interest or rewards when spending with this debit card
Min. Age
18
Min. Age Teen
Account
13
Account
Fee
$17.95
Youth Account
Fee
$0
# of Accounts
Included
20
Overdraft
Fee
$5
ATM
Out-of-Network Fee
$2
U.S. ATM
Fee
$5
International
ATM Fee
$5
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Earn up to a $750 bonus
Exclusive: Get an extra $150 gift card from Finder
The KOHO Extra Prepaid Card charges no foreign transaction fee, while letting you earn 3% interest on your entire balance. You will also earn 1.5% cash back return on special categories such as transportation, groceries and restaurants, and 0.25% cash back on all other purchases.
Refer a friend and both of you will earn $20 each once your referral makes their first purchase within 30 days of signing up. Users are able to refer up to 50 friends allowing to earn up to $1,000 in referral cash bonuses.
$12 annual or monthly fees
0% foreign transaction or FX fees
international ATM withdrawal fees charged by EQ Bank
Earn Up to 5% cash back cashback
Earn up to $20 on your card balance
Can be used for online purchases
Compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
You must have a linked EQ Personal Account (free to open) to load funds and use this prepaid card
No in-person service or bank branches
Monthly Fee
$12
Transaction Cost
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Monthly Fee
$12/month or $144 annually
e-Transfer Fee
$0
NSF Fee
$0
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
To determine this list of best debit cards, Finder Canada analyzed 70+ debit and prepaid cards across 22 financial institutions. We compared cards from traditional banks, digital banks and credit unions, and we narrowed down the list of top cards.
We ranked debit and prepaid cards based on 16 data points within four major categories. Here’s how we ranked and weighted each product:
Card info: 15% (Debit or prepaid, Visa or Mastercard cobranded)
Perks: 20% (Interest rates, signup bonuses, other tailored rewards)
Banking Access: 15% (In-branch banking, online banking access, national availability)
Customer Experience: 10% (Live chat availability, Apple app ratings, Google app ratings)
No single debit or prepaid card will be the best choice for everyone, so thoroughly compare your options before picking your new card.
Can I use my Canadian debit card in the US?
Yes, you can use your Canadian debit card in the US, just like you would use it in Canada. The only difference is that you may be charged a foreign transaction fee (usually 2.5%) for each purchase and the funds will be debited from your account in CAD based on whatever the conversion rate is at that moment.
Of course, you can avoid being charged the foreign transaction fee by using a debit card or prepaid card that doesn’t charge that fee, like the EQ Bank Card.
Can I use my Canadian debit card in Europe?
Yes, you should be able to use your Canadian debit card in Europe at most point-of-sale terminals and ATMs. Some common networks used in both Canada and Europe include Visa’s Plus and MasterCard’s Cirrus networks. You can check your debit card for a logo showing its corresponding ATM network.
If you have any doubts, call your bank to see if its network extends to Europe or if it has partner banks in Europe.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee and potentially a margin on top of the exchange rate when you use your debit card in Europe.
Should I use a debit card or a prepaid card for international travel?
The option that is best for you depends on whether you favor affordability or convenience.
Debit cards offer the convenience of continued access to your regular accounts without having to pre-plan or transfer funds beforehand. The drawback is that most bank debit cards charge currency conversion fees and transaction fees. If your account has low or no foreign transactions fees, this tends to be the most straightforward option.
Prepaid cards for travel typically come with no fees for transactions, whether at home or abroad, which can help you save while travelling internationally. Using a prepaid card can be the best option for someone who’s chequing account charges foreign transaction fee.
What happens when you use your debit card overseas
When you use your debit card overseas, or while shopping at an overseas store, you’ll generally pay for extra fees.
For purchases
Your chequing account will usually charge a foreign transaction fee when you purchase something in a foreign currency. You may also have to pay a margin on the exchange rate, which means that your bank sells you foreign currency at a higher price than you’d pay elsewhere.
Debit card readers in stores and hotels can often detect that you’re using a card from another country, and they may ask to debit the purchase in CAD dollars rather than the local currency. While this can help you save on foreign transactions fees, it often means you’ll pay a significantly worse exchange rate, and it’s generally the more expensive option.
For ATM withdrawals
Avoid making frequent ATM withdrawals while travelling. Even if you have an account that does not charge for you for international ATM withdrawals, local operator fees still apply.
Your normal bank account will usually charge the following fees: foreign ATM fee, foreign transaction fee, exchange rate markup and, in most cases, the ATM itself will charge a third-party fee. These fees can make withdrawing money at a foreign ATM very expensive.
Tip. If your card doesn’t waive ATM fees, save by taking out the maximum amount each time you withdraw.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using an international debit card while travelling?
The benefits
Access your funds anytime, anywhere. A debit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo gives you instant access to money in your bank account, no matter where you are.
Avoid fees if you use the right ATM. If you use a partner ATM, you don’t have to pay any additional fees.
Avoid international transaction fees. Just about every Canadian debit card will require that you pay currency conversion fees every time you use your card overseas. Though, some cards will waive the international fee.
Safe way to spend your money with fraud protection. Debit cards give you a safe and secure way to access money when travelling overseas, given the multiple security layers that keep your information secure.
The drawbacks
No backup. Replacing a lost or stolen debit card while travelling overseas can take up to 10 business days, and can be costly.
No emergency cash. There’s no access to cash through a cash advance facility if you find yourself in trouble and in need of funds. We recommend having a credit card on hand for emergencies.
Fees and charges. Unless you have an account that waives the foreign transaction and international ATM fees, using an debit card overseas costs a fortune, especially for frequent ATM withdrawals.
Alternatives to using an international debit card overseas
If you want to avoid relying on a debit card while travelling abroad, there are a few other options to consider:
Send a money transfer to loved ones in your destination country
There are many online money transfer services that support sending money internationally in a wide range of currencies. If you’re visiting friends or family, consider sending them funds in the currency you intend to spend. When you arrive, they can withdraw the money from their accounts or arrange for a cash pickup.
Use a credit card
Charge expenses to a travel credit card with no foreign conversion fee. You can avoid putting yourself at risk by carrying cash on your person, plus you can earn travel rewards that can be applied to your credit card bill or your next trip.
By charging travel costs to your card, you may also be able to take advantage of complimentary travel insurance for lost baggage, flight delays, medical emergencies and other contingencies. Note that credit cards come with different terms and rewards, so compare your options carefully before applying for your next card.
Load funds onto a prepaid travel card
Prepaid travel cards are much like debit cards in that you only spend the money you have. There is no credit involved. However, unlike debit cards prepaid cards don’t draw funds directly from your bank account.
Instead, you withdraw or transfer funds from your bank account and load up your prepaid card. See what types of prepaid travel cards your bank offers, or check out the Visa Travel Card, which can be used anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide.
Traveler’s cheques
These used to be one of the most popular options, but they’re quickly fading from favor. While each cheque comes with a unique number and it’s not difficult to replace if lost, the bulkiness of carrying around multiple cheque does not work in their favor. In addition, you have to cash these cheque before you get access to funds.
What should I consider when using a debit card while travelling?
Before you open a new travel-friendly chequing account with a debit card, consider the following:
International ATMs. Check if the bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance, a group that allows account holders to use international ATMs with no added fees.
Travel insurance. Some debit cards come with complimentary travel insurance that comes in handy if you lose or misplace luggage or are confronted by a medical emergency or flight cancellation.
Travel rewards. Visa and Mastercard debit cards give cardholders access to a range of special global offers and promotions.
International money transfers. Check what options the account has for transferring money overseas and how high the fees are.
Zero liability. Some cards, like Visa and Mastercard,have zero liability policies in place, so that you’re not held liable in the case of fraudulent or suspicious transactions. You should always notify your bank when you plan to leave the country. This way they can expect purchases from abroad.
What happens if I think my account has been scammed overseas?
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to cancel the card and begin the process of recouping any lost funds.
Compare prepaid cards with no (and low) foreign transaction fees
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Bottom line
Use a globally accepted debit card to gain access to your money without the temptation of overspending. The fees and rates that come with using your card will vary, so compare your options to ensure the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefits.
FAQs about international debit cards
If you lose your Mastercard or Visa debit card overseas, you can call and report to a representative. You can also call the local toll-free number, which would vary depending on the country you’re in.
You’ll have to provide the recipient’s complete name and address, the recipient’s bank’s name and address and bank account number, along with the amount you wish to transfer.
Using a debit card when overseas does not attract any additional account keeping fees.
Yes, chip cards are generally widely accepted around the world.
Yes, in most cases you'll be able to access your internet banking account from just about anywhere in the world. Speak to your bank about accessing your money overseas before you begin your journey just to be sure that your funds will be available whenever you need them.
Julia Cameron is a freelance journalist and editor, specializing in personal finance, mergers and acquisitions and immigration law. Her writing and analysis has been featured in TechRadar, MSN, Harper's Bazaar, Time and other top media. She holds a BA in English literature from the University of Central Florida. See full bio
Jaclyn Hurst was an associate publisher at Finder. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Redeemer University and a University Certificate in Management Foundations from Athabasca University. She’s as passionate about business and finance as she is about the great Canadian outdoors, organic Sumatra coffee and music. See full bio
Convenience fees can apply to debit card transactions as well as credit card payments, but only a small number of select merchants can legally charge them in Canada.
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