Compare Travel Money Cards in France

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1. Revolut Premium FR · Revolut Card FR · Price on request
2. N26 Travel FR · N26 · Price on request
3. Revolut Card FR · Revolut · Price on request
4. Fortuneo Visa · Fortuneo · Price on request
5. Wise Travel Card FR · Wise Travel Card FR · Price on request

What are travel money cards in France?

Travel money cards are payment cards designed for spending abroad with low or no foreign-exchange fees. They let French travellers pay in local currency and withdraw cash overseas at close to the interbank rate, avoiding the markups that traditional bank cards often add outside the eurozone. Most are multi-currency accounts with an app, letting you hold, convert and spend several currencies from your phone.

How the French market works

The segment is dominated by fintechs and neobanks: Revolut, N26, Wise, Monese and CurrencyFair offer multi-currency accounts with cards, while established online bank Fortuneo and specialist Caxton also serve travellers. These providers convert currency in-app at competitive rates and issue a card — physical or virtual — for spending and ATM withdrawals abroad, with tiered plans that trade a monthly fee for higher fee-free limits. Because a French forfait and euro card already work seamlessly across the eurozone, these cards deliver their real value the moment you spend in a non-euro currency, where traditional bank cards typically add a 2% to 3% conversion markup plus fixed withdrawal fees. Holding a balance in the local currency ahead of a trip also removes exposure to a poor exchange rate on the day of spending.

Benefits

Low FX costs — Spend and withdraw near the interbank rate, beating typical bank-card markups outside the euro.

Multi-currency wallets — Hold and convert several currencies, locking in a rate before you travel.

App controls — Freeze the card, set limits and get instant spend notifications for security.

How to choose

Compare the FX margin (some add a small markup at weekends or above a monthly limit), ATM withdrawal allowances before fees, and any monthly plan cost against how much you spend abroad. Check card delivery and whether a virtual card is available, the range of supported currencies, and how easily you can top up from a French account. For occasional trips, a free tier often suffices.

Leading providers in France

Revolut, N26 and Wise are the most popular multi-currency options; Monese and CurrencyFair offer alternatives with their own fee structures; and Fortuneo and Caxton provide travel-friendly cards with competitive foreign spending terms.

What it costs

Many providers offer a free plan with fee-free spending and a monthly ATM allowance, charging only beyond limits or at weekends. Paid tiers add a monthly fee for higher allowances, insurance and perks. The real cost is the FX margin plus any out-of-allowance ATM or conversion fees, so match the plan to your travel frequency. An occasional traveller is usually well served by a free tier, paying nothing on card spending abroad and only a small fee on cash withdrawals above a monthly limit. A frequent traveller or heavy cash user may save overall by paying for a premium plan that lifts those limits and adds travel insurance. The saving against a traditional bank card comes mainly from avoiding the typical 2% to 3% foreign-transaction markup on every purchase.

Protections and regulation

These providers operate as banks, e-money or payment institutions supervised by the ACPR or an EU equivalent under PSD2 (DSP2), with Strong Customer Authentication on payments. Whether balances enjoy the €100,000 deposit guarantee depends on the licence — e-money accounts safeguard funds separately instead. Confirm the licence type and whether the card carries a French or foreign IBAN.

Common questions

Do I need one within the eurozone? — No FX applies to euro spending; these cards shine outside the euro, for pounds, dollars and other currencies.

Is my money guaranteed? — Only if the provider holds a banking licence; e-money issuers safeguard funds rather than offering the deposit guarantee.

Can I withdraw cash abroad? — Yes, usually with a monthly fee-free ATM allowance before charges apply.

Travel Money Cards in France — FAQ