Can you buy currency with a credit card?

3 min read

Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Written by

Emily Tye

Reviewed by

Amy Lancashire

Yes, many currency sellers accept credit cards, but most UK card providers treat buying currency as a cash transaction rather than a purchase. That usually means a cash fee of around 3% to 5% and interest from the day you buy, depending on your provider. Some cards don't let you buy currency at all.

Paying for currency with a debit card, or paying by card while you're away instead of buying cash before you go, usually costs less.

Why is buying currency treated like a cash withdrawal?

Because you're buying cash. Foreign banknotes are money you can spend straight away, so card providers see it as getting cash on your card rather than paying for goods or services.

Your provider can tell it's a currency purchase from a code on the payment. Visa's merchant rules make currency sellers label those sales 'quasi-cash', even if currency isn't their main business.

All 10 of the major UK credit card providers we checked list buying foreign currency as a cash transaction, like credit card cash withdrawals. One makes an exception for currency bought from its own travel money service.

So it usually doesn't matter whether you buy in a branch or online, or use your credit card through Apple Pay or Google Pay. Many providers also count traveller's cheques and loading a prepaid travel card as cash.

How much does it cost to buy currency on a credit card?

The exact charges depend on your card, so check your credit agreement before you buy. On the cards we checked, buying currency usually meant:

• A cash fee of between 2.99% and 5% of the amount, some with a minimum charge of about £3

• Interest from the day you buy at most providers, with no interest-free period, even if you clear your balance in full

• A higher interest rate on many cards, as cash can have its own rate that's above the rate for purchases

• No rewards, as cashback and points schemes usually exclude currency purchases

Say you buy £500 of euros on a card with a 3% cash fee and a 30% APR on cash, then pay it off after 30 days. The fee is £15 and the interest is about £11, so the euros cost you about £26 more than the exchange rate alone. This is a simplified illustration: rates and fees vary between cards, and some providers also charge interest on the fee. Find out more about how credit card interest works.

Can I buy euros with a credit card?

Yes. Euros are treated like any other currency, so most providers will charge a cash fee and interest from the day you buy.

If you buy euros in the UK, you pay in pounds, so your card's non-sterling transaction fee won't apply. If you buy them from a bureau abroad, you're paying in a foreign currency, and some providers charge their non-sterling fee on top of the cash fee.

What's a cheaper way to get travel money?

Depending on your cards, these options usually cost less:

• Pay for your currency with a debit card. You're spending your own money, so there's no interest and no credit card cash fee. Check whether your bank charges anything for buying currency.

• Pay by card while you're away. Paying in shops and restaurants abroad counts as a purchase, not cash, though some cards add a non-sterling fee. 

• If you do use a credit card, pay it off quickly. Interest on cash usually builds every day until you've cleared it.

Our guide to using a credit card abroad has more on avoiding extra charges when you travel.

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There are a range of financial products available that may suit your needs. We encourage you to research your options carefully and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any decisions. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.