What banks don't charge for withdrawing abroad?

What banks dont charge for withdrawing abroad? 2 options in 2025

Knowing exactly what banks dont charge for withdrawing abroad prevents travelers from losing money to excessive international network markups. Frequent out-of-network transactions create rapidly accumulating costs that severely drain vacation budgets. Review specific institution policies carefully to protect your finances during all international trips.

Banks that won't drain your wallet on international withdrawals

The short answer: Several banks and fintechs have eliminated international ATM fees entirely, but the specifics differ. Charles Schwab and Fidelity both offer unlimited global ATM fee reimbursements and no foreign transaction fees, making them the top picks for frequent travelers. A few others, like Betterment and Capital One 360, also provide no-fee access, though sometimes with conditions. The key is understanding the difference between your banks fees and the ATM operators surcharge - and knowing which institutions refund both.

Why international ATM fees hurt your travel budget more than you think

Most people dont realize that international ATM withdrawals trigger two separate charges: a flat fee from your home bank ($2-$5) and a percentage-based foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3% of the amount). On top of that, the local ATM operator often adds its own surcharge - averaging $3.22 per transaction according to 2025 data. A single $200 withdrawal can easily cost $11 or more in fees alone. For travelers who take out cash weekly, thats over $500 per year disappearing into bank profits. Learning how to avoid atm fees abroad is essential for frequent travelers.

The average out-of-network ATM fee hit $4.86 per transaction in 2025 - a combination of the $1.64 your bank charges and the $3.22 the ATM owner adds. Use an out-of-network ATM once a week and you are looking at roughly $253 per year in fees before even considering foreign transaction markups. International withdrawals add another layer: a flat fee (often $2-$5) plus 1-3% of the withdrawal amount. The numbers add up fast, making it crucial to choose banks with no foreign transaction fees.

Top banks with no international ATM fees in 2026

After combing through policies and user reports, here are the institutions that genuinely let you withdraw cash abroad without eating into your travel fund.

Charles Schwab Bank Investor Checking - the gold standard

Schwab remains the undisputed leader for international travelers. When reviewing charles schwab international atm fees, you will find they are practically non-existent. Their Investor Checking account comes with a Visa Platinum debit card that provides unlimited reimbursement of all ATM fees worldwide. No foreign transaction fees. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Use any ATM anywhere - Schwab automatically credits back every surcharge at the end of your statement cycle. The catch? You must also open a linked brokerage account (free, no minimum) and you cannot deposit cash directly. For most travelers, these are minor inconveniences compared to the savings.

Fidelity Cash Management Account - the strong competitor

Fidelity is among the top banks that refund foreign atm fees, with its Cash Management Account matching Schwab on most fronts: unlimited global ATM fee reimbursements, zero foreign transaction fees, no monthly account fees. The Visa Signature debit card works at any ATM worldwide. One advantage: Fidelity actually pays interest on your account balance, while Schwab does not. Most reimbursements happen the same day when ATM operators correctly separate the fee from your withdrawal. However, some ATMs bundle fees, requiring a quick call to Fidelity to process the refund. Still, for anyone already using Fidelity for investments, this account is a no-brainer.

Betterment Checking - the digital challenger that refunds Visa's fee too

Betterment takes a different approach to offering a no fee international debit card: unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide, plus they also refund the 1% fee that Visa charges for foreign transactions. Most banks only waive their own fee - Betterment actually eats the network fee too. The checking account has no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance. The trade-off: Betterment is a fintech company (not a traditional bank), though your funds are FDIC-insured through partner nbkc bank. Also, no interest is earned on the checking balance.

Capital One 360 Checking - no fees but limited refunds

Capital One 360 does not charge any foreign transaction fees or out-of-network ATM fees on its 360 Checking accounts. The account provides access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks. However, if you use an ATM outside those networks, Capital One will not reimburse the operators surcharge. You pay zero fees to Capital One but may still pay the ATM owner. For travelers who stick to partner ATMs, it works well - but for true any ATM flexibility, Schwab or Fidelity are better.

Alliant Credit Union - high limits for out-of-network refunds

Alliant Credit Union offers up to $20 per month in ATM fee rebates for out-of-network ATMs. That covers most travelers needs, especially since Alliant also provides access to over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs. The catch: Alliant does not refund the 1% Visa foreign transaction fee, so international withdrawals still incur that network cost. For domestic-heavy use or light international travel, Alliant is solid. For heavy international withdrawal schedules, the $20 monthly cap may be too restrictive.

SoFi Checking and Savings - pays your foreign convenience fee

SoFi does not charge foreign transaction fees on its checking account. When you make a purchase or ATM withdrawal in a foreign currency, Mastercard converts the amount - and SoFi actually pays the 0.9% foreign convenience fee rather than passing it to you. However, SoFi does not reimburse ATM operator surcharges for out-of-network machines. Stick to Allpoint ATMs (55,000+ locations) and you will pay nothing. Venture outside the network and the ATM owners fee is on you.

Revolut - tiered free withdrawals with a monthly limit

Revoluts Standard plan includes up to $300 in fee-free ATM withdrawals per month (or 5 withdrawals, whichever comes first). Beyond that, a 2% fee applies. Revolut does not charge foreign transaction fees and offers competitive exchange rates. The free tier works well for moderate travelers, but heavy users will want an unlimited plan or one of the other banks above. Revolut is best as a secondary travel card rather than a primary account.

Comparison: Which bank saves you the most on a typical 10-day trip?

Which account fits your travel style?

Charles Schwab

- Unlimited worldwide - every surcharge refunded automatically

- $0 - no minimum balance required

- $0 - no fee whatsoever

- Must open linked brokerage account; no cash deposits

- Frequent international travelers, long-term travelers, anyone wanting set-and-forget

Fidelity

- Unlimited worldwide refunds on ATM withdrawals

- $0 - no fees, no minimums

- $0 - Fidelity charges none

- Some bundled ATM fees require manual reimbursement request

- Existing Fidelity customers, interest-seekers, frequent travelers

Betterment

- Unlimited worldwide including Visa's 1% foreign transaction fee

- $0 - no overdraft fees either

- $0 - Betterment reimburses the Visa fee

- Fintech (not traditional bank); no interest on checking balance

- Digital-native users, those wanting full fee coverage including network fees

Capital One 360

- None outside network - but Capital One charges no fees of its own

- $0 - no fees, period

- $0 - no fee charged

- No reimbursement of ATM operator surcharges outside Allpoint/MoneyPass

- Travelers who can plan ahead and use partner ATMs (70,000+ locations)

Sarah's three-week backpacking trip across Europe

Sarah, a 29-year-old graphic designer from Austin, planned a 21-day trip through Italy, France, and Spain. She budgeted $50 per day for cash expenses - hostels, markets, local transit. Her old Chase account would have charged $5 per withdrawal plus 3% of the amount, plus whatever the local ATM added.

Before the trip, she opened a Schwab Investor Checking account. The process took 10 minutes online. She transferred $2,000 into the account. In Rome, her first ATM withdrawal of €200 cost nothing upfront - Schwab later refunded the €4.50 operator fee automatically at the end of the month.

Over the three weeks, Sarah made 15 ATM withdrawals averaging €150 each. Total operator fees across those withdrawals: €67. Traditional bank fees would have added another €75 in flat fees and 3% conversion charges - nearly $160 in total. Schwab charged her nothing. Zero. The money she saved covered two extra nights in Barcelona.

David's mistake - the hidden cost of "no foreign transaction fee" claims

David, a 34-year-old consultant, thought his Capital One 360 account was perfect for a business trip to Tokyo. He read 'no foreign transaction fees' and assumed that meant free withdrawals. At the airport, he pulled ¥30,000 (about $200) from a convenience store ATM.

Days later, he checked his statement: Capital One had indeed charged no fee. But the ATM operator added a ¥540 surcharge (about $3.60). David was confused - his bank did not reimburse third-party fees. Over two weeks, he made eight withdrawals and paid ¥4,320 ($29) in operator fees he could have avoided with Schwab or Fidelity.

"I learned the hard way that 'no bank fees' doesn't mean 'no fees at all'," David said. He now keeps a Schwab account specifically for international ATM use. The lesson: always check whether your bank reimburses ATM operator surcharges, not just whether it charges its own fee.