When traveling abroad, using your debit card to take out cash at an ATM is a convenient way to exchange currency and spend. Unfortunately, this gets expensive if your bank charges fees for international transactions or withdrawals. Many debit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 1% to 3% on purchases and ATM transactions, applied as a percentage of the transaction amount. Some charge flat fees of a few dollars per transaction instead.
The good news is that some banks won't charge you to use an ATM in a foreign country, and others go a step further by reimbursing ATM transaction fees sometimes charged by machines. Banks without international ATM fees or foreign transaction fees on their debit cards could help you save a bundle abroad, and the best won't force you to compromise helpful features or juicy perks.
Here are the bank and checking accounts with no foreign transaction fees that we recommend, based on our research, and the fees you can avoid or be reimbursed for using their debit cards internationally.
Compare top banks with no international ATM fees in 2026
Here are the companies and accounts we recommend for no international ATM fees and other worthwhile perks, no matter where in the world you bank.
| Bank account | Best for | Fee details |
E*TRADE Max-Rate Checking6 <p>With Max-Rate Checking, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association (“Morgan Stanley Private Bank”) will not charge you a fee for withdrawing funds from any institution’s ATM but the owner/operator of the ATM may charge a fee. In those cases, we will refund ATM fees charged worldwide. For additional information and important details about how the ATM fee refund will be applied, please visit the <a href="https://us.etrade.com/bank/bank-rates">etrade.com/ratesheet</a> for more details.</p> |
Earning interest |
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One-stop banking |
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Getting ATM fees reimbursed |
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Schwab investors |
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Using your debit card at ATMs worldwide |
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Members of the U.S. military |
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E*TRADE Max-Rate Checking
- Monthly maintenance fee: $15, waivable8 <p>The $15 monthly account fee can be waived when you maintain an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 in the account on or after the end of the second calendar month from opening the account.</p>
- International ATM fee details: Unlimited international ATM fee refunds worldwide
- Foreign transaction fee details: Unlimited refunds for foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases
The E*TRADE Max-Rate Checking account is our favorite account on this list, if you can qualify to waive its monthly fee. It earns up to 2.00% APY,9 <p>As of 09/08/2025, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of the Max-Rate Checking Account is 2.00%. Your interest rate and APY may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit <a href="http://etrade.com/ratesheet">etrade.com/ratesheet</a> for information regarding this account's current interest rate and corresponding APY.</p><br> <p class="">The $15 monthly account fee can be waived when you maintain an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 in the account on or after the end of the second calendar month from opening the account.</p> which is incredibly competitive for a checking account in general. You'll see similarly high rates on accounts from brokerages, like Betterment and Wealthfront, but these are technically cash management accounts tied to brokerage accounts. Although E*TRADE is itself a brokerage, its Max-Rate Checking account from Morgan Stanley Private Bank is separate from its investment products, so you don't have to invest with E*TRADE to open it. Not only does the account not charge international ATM fees, but you'll be reimbursed when charged these fees by ATM operators. You'll also be refunded for foreign transaction fees.
The account doesn't have a minimum opening deposit requirement,10 <p>Deposits held in checking accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000. <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/financial-products-insured">Learn more</a>.</p> 11 <p class="">No minimum initial deposit is required to open an account. However, account must be funded within 30 days to remain open.</p> but you need to maintain a balance of at least $5,000 to waive the $15 maintenance fee. We don't always recommend checking accounts with monthly fees anymore, because there are so many monthly-fee-free banking options out there. But this is one where the requirements to waive the fee feel reasonable enough given the amount of value the account can offer. And frankly, there aren't a ton of banks without international ATM fees, and certainly not many with perks like this one.
If you want to avoid international ATM and foreign transaction fees and have a few thousand to deposit, consider this account. (Depending on how often you use international ATMs or make purchases abroad, you could also offset the monthly maintenance fee with your savings.)
Visit E*TRADE | Learn more in our E*TRADE Bank review
Capital One 360 Checking Account
- Monthly maintenance fee: None
- International ATM fee details: No international ATM fee reimbursement
- Foreign transaction fee details: No foreign transaction fees for debit card purchases
The Capital One 360 Checking Account allows the use of your debit card abroad without foreign transaction fees or a currency conversion fee. However, they do not reimburse any fees or out-of-network ATM provider charges.
This is a good option if you're looking for a one-stop banking shop, where you can get a variety of bank accounts, credit cards, and loans.
The Capital One 360 checking account also offers:
- No monthly maintenance fees or account minimums
- Access to 70,000+ fee-free ATMs in the United States
- An APY of 0.10% (as of 05/19/26)13 <span>A rate of 3.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) applies to all account balances. Advertised rates are variable and effective as of 06/02/2026. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening. The 360 Performance Savings account has no monthly cycle service charge and no minimum balance required to open or maintain the account.</span>
Visit Capital One 360 | Learn more in our Capital One 360 review
Betterment Checking
- Monthly maintenance fee: None
- International ATM fee details: Unlimited international ATM fee refunds worldwide
- Foreign transaction fee details: Unlimited refunds for foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases
The Betterment no-fee checking account lives up to its name with its reimbursement of any ATM fees worldwide, plus reimbursement of the 1% currency conversion fee Visa charges for foreign transactions, purchases, and ATM transactions. With Betterment, you get free ATM access anywhere you travel.
Other notable features of the Betterment Checking account include:
- Robust mobile app to manage your account
- Pays cash back rewards for purchases from brands like Costco, Adidas, and TOMS
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
Learn more in our Betterment Checking review
Schwab Bank Investor Checking
- Monthly maintenance fee: None
- International ATM fee details: Unlimited international ATM fee refunds worldwide
- Foreign transaction fee details: No foreign transaction fees for debit card purchases
The Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account offers unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals using the Schwab Bank Visa® Platinum Debit Card, which is a great way to save on fees while traveling abroad.
This account also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees for using your debit card abroad.
These are two perks that make it one of the best banks in the U.S. for foreign nationals and residents alike. However, this checking account is only available to those who also have a Schwab One® brokerage account.
Other great features of the Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account include:
- No monthly maintenance fees
- An APY of 0.05% (as of 10/14/25)
- Full-featured mobile app that allows you to manage your account from anywhere
Fidelity Cash Management Account
- Monthly maintenance fee: None
- International ATM fee details: 1 million+ fee-free ATMs globally and unlimited ATM fee reimbursement
- Foreign transaction fee details: No foreign transaction fees for debit card purchases
Fidelity's Cash Management Account comes with ATM reimbursement, allowing you to withdraw money from more than 1 million ATMs worldwide with your debit card, as long as the ATM has a Visa, Plus, or Star logo.
Other great features the Fidelity Cash Management account offers include:
- No account fees or minimums
- Automatic transfers to help reach your savings goals
- Real-time spending insights to help you stay on track
USAA Classic Checking
- Monthly maintenance fee: None
- International ATM fee details: 100,000+ fee-free ATMs globally and up to $10 in monthly international ATM fee reimbursements
- Foreign transaction fee details: 1% for international withdrawals
USAA's Classic Checking account is open only to eligible military members, veterans, and their families. If you qualify for an account, you can access 100,000 USAA-preferred ATMs nationwide fee-free. If you use your debit card at a foreign ATM, they'll refund you up to $10 per month.
Please note that USAA charges a 1% foreign transaction fee for withdrawals made abroad.
Other features of USAA's Classic Checking account include:
- No monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirement
- Early access to direct deposit
- Access to USAA spending plan tools
When to use a credit card instead of a debit card to avoid foreign transaction fees
Before continuing with the list, it's worth noting that you might not even need to use an ATM internationally. When I first started traveling abroad, it was common to need some cash (or traveler's checks - remember those?) for a trip.
These days, there's little need to carry cash in many countries. Credit cards are widely accepted and can offer you better perks and protections than cash.
When it comes to choosing a credit card, just be sure you have one that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. If your card charges these fees, you'll be paying around 3-5% extra every time you swipe your card.
FAQs
How can you avoid international ATM fees?
You can avoid international ATM fees a couple of ways. The easiest is to have a bank account that offers free worldwide ATM access or reimbursement for ATM fees. If that's not possible, you can exchange currency before you travel and use a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees for the bulk of your spending abroad.
Which bank debit card is best to use abroad?
The best debit card to use abroad is one that offers easily accessible ATMs and little to no fees for withdrawing money or making purchases. Some accounts with ATM or debit cards that may be convenient and inexpensive to use abroad include Capital One 360 Checking, E*TRADE Max-Rate Checking, and Betterment Checking.
Can I use my debit card internationally?
Whether or not you can use your debit card internationally depends on where you're traveling and whether your bank's network is compatible with ATMs abroad. If you have a Visa or Mastercard debit card, chances are you'll likely be able to use it abroad.
Before your trip, call your bank and let them know you'll be traveling. Ask about ATM usage abroad and any fees incurred if you use your debit card during your trip. This will offer peace of mind and allow you to account for ATM or foreign transaction fees in your travel budget.
Bottom line
Traveling is expensive enough, and adding international ATM fees can make it even more costly. If you travel abroad often, it's worth checking out the best banks for traveling internationally or at least one that reimburses some foreign transaction fees monthly.
Also, make sure you have a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees in your wallet. Instead of spending your vacation dollars on ATM withdrawal fees, you can spend the extra dollars on something fun to make your trip even more memorable.
To evaluate banking products and determine the best checking accounts without foreign transaction fees, we considered the following factors: Our product rankings and scores are based on objective measurements and product features as well as expert opinions from our editorial team. Learn more about how FinanceBuzz rates deposit accounts for more details about how we obtain star ratings.
How we determined the best banks with no international ATM fees
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