Best Credit Cards in Europe 2025 — No Foreign Transaction Fees & Travel Rewards
Travelling around Europe is a thrill — but those sneaky foreign transaction fees on credit cards can turn a great trip into a pricey one. In 2025, credit cards are getting smarter: more of them waive foreign transaction fees, offer travel-friendly perks, and reward you in ways that truly make a difference. If you want to spend abroad without surprises and get rewards (flight miles, hotel stays, cashback, lounge access), this guide is for you.
Why “No Foreign Transaction Fees” Matters
Foreign transaction fees (FTFs), also known as foreign exchange fees, are extra charges when you use your card abroad or buy in a foreign currency. They typically range from 2% to 3% (or more). That means on a €100 meal, you might pay an extra €2–3 just because your card is from another country. Over a full trip that adds up.
So a card that waives those fees is a big win. But that’s just table stakes — what really sets great travel cards apart are travel rewards and other perks that save you money or improve your experience (airport lounge access, insurance, etc.).
What to Look for in a Travel-Friendly Credit Card
Here are the key features to compare:
| Feature | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| No Foreign Transaction Fee | Saves usually 2–3% on all spending abroad. |
| Good Reward Rates (on travel, dining, etc.) | You earn more points/cashback where you spend most while travelling. |
| Flexible Redemption | Ability to transfer points to airlines/hotels; use for flights, hotels, rental cars. |
| Perks & Protections | Think travel insurance, loss/delay protection, car rental insurance, lounge access. |
| Reasonable Annual Fee | High fees can make perks useless unless you travel often. Choose based on how much you’ll use the benefits. |
| Wide Acceptance | Visa/Mastercard usually best in Europe; American Express less accepted in some places. |
Top Cards for Europe Travel in 2025
Here are several cards (mostly U.S.-issued) that are often recommended, and what makes them shine. If you're from a specific country, some local cards might beat these — but these give good benchmarks.
| Card | Foreign Transaction Fees | Reward Highlights | Best If You... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | None Vestinda+3lonelyplanet.com+3FangWallet+3 | 2× points on travel & dining; strong point transfer options to airlines & hotels; good travel protections. FangWallet+2lonelyplanet.com+2 | Travel often, want flexibility & don’t mind a modest annual fee. |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards | None lonelyplanet.com+2FangWallet+2 | Great earning rate on flights/hotels; strong travel credits; airport lounge access. travelcardinsider.com+2lonelyplanet.com+2 | Want premium perks and use them. |
| Capital One Venture Rewards | None travelcardinsider.com+1 | Flat rate on spend; good if you want a simpler rewards structure. travelcardinsider.com | Prefer simplicity over chasing bonus categories. |
| Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature® | None Clark Howard | No annual fee; reliable cashback; useful protections. Clark Howard | Want a card with minimal fuss and solid returns. |
| Citi Premier Card | None Forbes+2Mighty Travels Premium+2 | Bonus points for travel/hotel; ability to convert to airline miles; various promotions. Mighty Travels Premium+1 | Like travel flexibility and good airline transfer options. |
Europe-Specific Cards & UK Picks
If you’re based in the UK (or another part of Europe), there are cards tailored to the local/regional market that offer no FTFs and strong travel rewards:
Halifax Clarity Credit Card — very popular in the UK; no foreign transaction fees and no ATM withdrawal cost (for certain conditions). Wise
Barclaycard Rewards Card — often no fees on overseas spending or card purchases. Wise+1
NatWest Travel Reward Credit Card — designed for travel spending, offers cashback, no foreign transaction fees on purchases. Wise
Zopa Credit Card — modern fintech-style card with no FTFs, good app features. Wise
Hidden Gotchas to Watch
Even with “no foreign transaction fee” cards, there are things travelers often overlook:
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): Merchants may ask to charge you in your home currency instead of the local one — this often adds a bad exchange rate plus fees. Always choose to pay in local currency.
Cash Withdrawals: Even “traveller-friendly” cards may charge fees or start interest immediately on ATM withdrawals. It’s best to use debit where possible or plan ahead. Some cards charge 0% FTFs on purchases but still hefty ATM fees.
Annual Fee vs Benefit Use: A high annual fee card only makes sense if you use its perks (lounge access, travel credits, etc.) enough to offset the fee.
Acceptance: In rural areas or smaller merchants, Visa/Mastercard are more widely accepted. AmEx may be rejected even if your card has great rewards.
Credit Score & Eligibility: The best cards often require good to excellent credit. If your score is lower, you might have fewer options.
Which Card Fits You Best?
Here’s a quick decision path:
Occasional Traveller / Budget-Conscious? Go with a card that has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees — focus on solid reward rates for everyday spend.
Frequent Traveller / Jetsetter? Look for cards offering premium perks (airport lounge access, travel insurance, transfer partners). A slightly higher fee may be worth it.
Prefer Simplicity? Flat-rate reward cards (same % across categories) are less work. If you don’t want to track many bonus categories, go simple.
Country-Specific Cards? Often your country bank or fintech (in Europe) will offer competitive cards targeted for your local needs (currency, travel routes, merchant acceptance). Always compare those too.
Conclusion
Europe in 2025 is awash with credit card options built for travellers: more cards with no foreign transaction fees, more rewards tied to travel, and more perks. The trick is to pick a card that matches how you travel — your spending habits, destinations, and how often you're abroad. Use this guide as a yardstick, compare a few based on your home country, and you’ll likely find a card that saves you money and adds joy to the journey.
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