Using your Debit card Abroad | Using Credit Card Abroad

HSBC UK
International Services
Using your card abroad

Need flexibility when managing your holiday money?

We want to help make things easy and convenient for you when travelling abroad. Take your HSBC cards with you and use your card in the same way you do at home, and with the same security you'd expect from your bank too.

Using your HSBC cards abroad:

Purchases*
Whether you're shopping or at a restaurant, enjoy the convenience of using your cards anywhere that displays the Visa/Mastercard logo on your card.
ATM cash withdrawals*
You can use your cards at cash machines abroad whenever you need extra local currency.
Safe and secure
Enjoy the security of using a card from your bank who you know and trust. Your cards will be protected in the same way as they would be in the UK.
Track your spending
When using your cards abroad you can easily keep track of your spending in the same way you do at home by logging into online or mobile banking.

*Fees apply, please see FAQs for full details.

Tell us you're travelling

We automatically monitor accounts for unusual transactions. By letting us know you're travelling abroad, we can update our records and it will reduce the chance of us declining a transaction whilst you're overseas.

How to let us know

Log on to online banking and select 'Travel notification' under the 'My banking' section of the top menu to create a travel plan.

Log on to online banking to let us know you're travelling This link will open in a new window

Not Registered

Call Customer Services on 03457 404 404.

Lines open 8am-8pm every day

HSBC Advance customers receive 24/7 customer service

HSBC Premier customers please call us on

03457 707 070

Premier customers receive 24/7 customer service

Please note, if you have a joint current account you both need to notify us when using the online banking option.
For credit cards, only the primary cardholder needs to give us travel notifications.

Travel money

We deliver direct to your door or to your nearest branch. Enjoy fee free next working day delivery on all orders £100 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using your cards abroad, in combination with your Travel Money, gives you more flexibility when managing your holiday money.

A debit card allows you to withdraw cash at ATMs and pay for purchases plus keep a track of your spending via online, mobile or telephone banking.

Credit cards can be useful when purchasing more expensive items because of your rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1975. However please note fees and charges apply

Debit card fees abroad
	Purchases	Withdrawals
HSBC Premier	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%
HSBC Advance	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%
Other HSBC accounts	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%	Cash Fee 2% (Minimum £1.75, maximum £5.00) Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.75%

When making a payment or withdrawing cash in a foreign currency (non-Sterling) you may be asked if you want to pay in Sterling or the local currency. By selecting to pay in the local currency, HSBC will make the conversion using the relevant payment scheme exchange rate applied on the day the conversion is made.

Where you choose to make the payment / withdrawal in Sterling, then HSBC will not make any conversion and this will be done by either the retailer or self-service machine owner. Some cash machine owners may apply an additional charge for withdrawals and this will be advised at the time of the withdrawal.

Credit card fees abroad
	Purchases	Withdrawals	More information
HSBC Credit Card	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Cash Fee 2.99% (minimum £3.00) Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Find out more
HSBC Premier Credit Card	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Cash Fee 2.99% (minimum £3.00) Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Find out more
HSBC Student Credit Card	Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Cash Fee 2.99% (minimum £3.00) Non-Sterling transaction fee 2.99%	Find out more

Where you choose to make the payment / withdrawal in Sterling then HSBC will not make any conversion and this will be done by either the retailer or self-service machine owner. Some cash machine owners may apply an additional charge for withdrawals and this will be advised at the time of the withdrawal.