Prepare for fees, withdrawals, and blocking a card

• Daily and monthly limits, foreign currency terms, and fixed fees depend on your card or account plan.
• Keep card-blocking and replacement contacts accessible outside your banking app.
• At the ATM, check the final amount displayed and any additional fees before confirming.
• Keep a second payment option separate and ready to use.
• Check your account or card notifications regularly without treating every small expense as a problem.
• If your card is lost, blocking it quickly is essential; don’t keep your login details together with your card in your luggage.

Using your card in your destination country may require activation. Spending limits, foreign currency conversion, and fixed or percentage-based fees depend on your provider’s plan; ATM fees may also apply.

The card-blocking number, any identification reference provided by your provider, and an accessible contact method must be available independently of your online account. Keep the blocking number and identification reference separately from the card; a secure offline copy can be included with your digitally secured travel documents. Reserves, contacts, and a plan B include an alternative way to get in touch.

At an ATM, the displayed currency, total amount, and fees determine the cost. If you choose direct conversion to your home currency, the ATM operator sets the exchange rate; if you pay in the local currency, your card provider handles the conversion. A foreign transaction fee from your provider may also apply.

Your travel cash and daily budget should account for planned withdrawals and their fees. A few well-planned withdrawals may be easier to track than lots of small transactions, but carrying too much cash increases the risk of loss. Keep your card, cash, and second payment option separate from one another.

Your daily limit should cover planned expenses such as a deposit, a long journey, or payments for several people together. Change your limit only through the designated secure channel. Never write your PIN on your card or keep it together with the card. Car rentals and local travel may involve large pre-authorizations or deposits. Deposits for overnight stays at your destination are among the costs to factor in at each destination.

A small cash reserve can be useful for the first leg of your journey after arrival. Trips from the airport or train station, transfers and local transit, as well as long-distance buses and ferries, add to your travel costs. For border crossings, entry requirements and documents are part of your travel documents.

Once you realize your card is lost, contact your provider to block it. After that, you’ll need an independent payment method and confirmation that the card has been blocked. If only your smartphone is missing, your card may still work; if your card is missing, you must still be able to contact your provider without the banking app.

A second card is only a genuine backup if it is kept separately, you know the necessary login details, and its limit is sufficient. Treat plans and payment methods separately in your cost planning; this includes money and payments as well as security measures for when you’re on the move.

A complete plan includes an active card, a working PIN, accessible account notifications, and an offline card-blocking contact. Trips across several countries require suitable payment terms for each leg. For group trips, clearly assign responsibility for contact details, a replacement card, and a cash reserve. This keeps decisions simple and clear in an emergency.

What fees might apply when I withdraw cash?

Fixed fees, percentage-based charges, foreign currency surcharges, and ATM fees depend on the provider and the specific transaction.

What do I need to block a card?

The designated card-blocking contact details and the information your provider needs to identify the card. You should be able to access this information independently of the lost device.

How often should I withdraw cash while travelling?

That depends on fees, security, payment acceptance, and your daily budget. Plan ahead so you have enough cash without carrying unnecessarily large amounts.

How can I reach the card-blocking emergency number from abroad?

The card-blocking emergency number is available 24/7 at +49 116 116 or, alternatively, +49 30 4050 4050. Charges depend on your foreign telephone provider. All girocards can be blocked; credit cards can be blocked if the issuer participates.