Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards UK 2026

If you want the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards UK shoppers can get right now, these are the main options we looked at:

• Halifax Clarity: best all-rounder, with no fee on foreign purchases or cash withdrawals and a 23.9% variable rate on both.
• Barclaycard Rewards: best for cash abroad, because its interest-free period (up to 56 days) also covers foreign-currency cash withdrawn overseas if you pay in full.
• Chase Credit Card: best for cashback, but only for existing Chase current account customers.
• Virgin Money Travel: best for a long 0% offer, with 0% on purchases for 9 months.

All of them charge nothing extra on foreign purchases. Where they differ is cash withdrawals, so read that section before you pack.

What are foreign transaction fees on UK credit cards?

A foreign transaction fee is an extra charge added when you spend in a currency other than pounds sterling. Most UK credit cards charge about 2.99% of each foreign purchase, usually with no minimum.

So credit card foreign transaction fees can add up quickly:

Example: You spend £1,000 on a holiday. At 2.99%, you pay £29.90 in fees on top of the purchase. On a card with no foreign transaction fee, that £29.90 stays in your pocket.

How the fee is made up

The charge is often two fees combined. Your card network (Visa or Mastercard) may add a handling charge, and your card provider may add its own. Together they come to roughly 3% of the bill.

What counts as a foreign transaction?

• Shopping, eating out and paying for hotels in another country
• Online purchases priced in a foreign currency, even if you are at home in the UK
• Cash withdrawals abroad (these have their own, separate costs, covered below)

If the price in your basket is shown in euros or dollars, expect a foreign transaction fee on an ordinary card.

Foreign transaction fee vs. foreign exchange rate

These are two different costs, and it helps to keep them apart.

• The fee is the percentage a provider adds on top.
• The exchange rate is the price at which your pounds are converted.

A card with no foreign exchange fees still converts your money using the Visa or Mastercard rate. That rate is usually close to the rate banks trade at, but it is not the perfect “mid-market” rate banks use between themselves.

The gap between buying and selling prices is called the spread, and it is where currency businesses make their money. Card networks also use the rate on the day your transaction is processed, which can differ slightly from the day you paid.

Why choose a credit card with no foreign transaction fees?

You save money on every overseas purchase.

Cutting a roughly 3% fee is one of the simplest ways to make travel cheaper, and it applies to online shopping too.

Good exchange rates.

Paying by card at the network rate is usually one of the cheapest ways to spend abroad, and it is often better than airport currency kiosks. (Always check the rate yourself, as it moves daily.)

Extra protection

Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, your card provider can be jointly responsible if something you paid for goes wrong, for purchases costing between £100 and £30,000. It can also apply to overseas purchases. Check your provider’s terms, as protection can depend on how you paid.

Less cash to carry

A card is safer than a wallet full of notes. If it is lost or stolen, you can freeze it and report fraud through your provider’s app.

No need for a new bank account

Most of the cards below work as a standalone credit card.

Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees in the UK

The table compares UK credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. All six charge nothing extra on foreign purchases. The big differences are cash fees, cash interest and perks.

Card	Fee on foreign purchases	Fee on cash abroad	Cash rate (variable)	Annual / monthly fee	Perks
Halifax Clarity	None	None	23.9%	None	Eligibility checker
Chase Credit Card	None	None	24.9%–29.9%	None	2% cashback on selected UK spending (capped at £20 a month)
Santander All in One	None	3% (min £3)	29.9%	£3 a month	0.5% cashback (capped at £10 a month)
Barclaycard Rewards	None	None	28.9%	None	0.25% cashback; interest-free period on cash abroad
Virgin Money Travel	None	3%	See card’s summary box	None	0% on purchases for 9 months
Virgin Money Everyday Cashback	None	5%	See card’s summary box	None	1% cashback for 90 days, then 0.25% (capped at £15 a month)

Rates and terms were checked on 22 September 2026 and can change. Always read the provider’s summary box before applying. Your own rate may differ from the representative APR, and your credit may be at risk if you do not repay what you borrow.

Halifax Clarity Credit Card – best all-rounder

The Halifax Clarity card charges no fee on foreign purchases or on cash withdrawals. Cash interest is 23.9% variable, the same as the purchase rate and lower than the cash rate on many cards. There is no annual fee.

• Pros: No fees on foreign spending or cash; simple pricing; no annual fee.
• Cons: Interest on cash starts the day you withdraw, with no interest-free period. No rewards.
• Representative example: 23.9% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable).
• Best for: Travellers who want a simple, low-cost card and might need to withdraw some cash.

Tip: Repaying any cash withdrawn before your statement due date reduces the interest you pay.

Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card: best for cash abroad

Barclaycard Rewards charges no fee on foreign purchases or cash withdrawals. Its standout feature is that its interest-free period (up to 56 days) also applies to cash withdrawn abroad in a foreign currency, as long as you pay the balance in full by the due date. Sterling cash withdrawals are charged interest from the transaction date.

• Pros: No foreign fees; interest-free period on foreign cash; 0.25% cashback; no annual fee.
• Cons: Higher rate (28.9% variable) if you carry a balance; cashback is lower than on dedicated rewards cards.
• Representative example: 28.9% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% p.a. (variable).
• Best for: People who like to have some local cash and always repay in full.

Chase Credit Card: best for cashback (for Chase customers)

The Chase card charges no fees on foreign purchases, including online shopping from overseas retailers, and no cash fee in any currency. It has no annual fee, 0% on purchases for up to 3 months (provided minimum repayments are made) and 2% cashback on selected everyday categories such as groceries, restaurants, transport and fuel.

• Pros: No annual fee; no foreign or cash fees; cashback.
• Cons: Only open to existing Chase current account customers. Cashback is capped at £20 a month, shared across Chase debit and credit card spending, needs a Chase current account and saver account, and applies to UK spending only. Cash interest starts on the withdrawal date.
• Representative example: 24.9% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable). Standard rates run from 24.9% to 29.9% depending on the rate offered.
• Best for: Existing Chase customers who want everyday cashback at home and fee-free spending abroad.

Santander All in One Credit Card: best for everyday cashback with a fee

Santander All in One charges no fee on foreign purchases, but it adds a 3% cash fee (minimum £3) on withdrawals in the UK and abroad, and the cash rate is 29.9% variable. It pays 0.5% cashback on purchases (capped at £10 a month) and charges £3 a month.

• Pros: No foreign purchase fee; cashback on everyday spending.
• Cons: £36 a year in monthly fees; expensive for cash; modest cashback cap.
• Representative example: 29.8% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) and a £36 annual fee (£3 charged monthly).
• Best for: People who spend enough each month for the cashback to outweigh the £3 fee, and who will not use it for cash.

Virgin Money Travel Credit Card: best for a long 0% offer

The Virgin Money Travel card charges no foreign exchange fee on purchases abroad. It offers 0% on purchases for 9 months and 0% on balance and money transfers for 9 months (fees apply). Cash withdrawals carry a 3% fee, in the UK and abroad, and interest on cash starts on the transaction date.

• Pros: No annual fee; 9 months at 0% on purchases.
• Cons: 3% cash fee; interest on cash from day one.
• Representative example: 27.9% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% p.a. (variable).
• Best for: Travellers who want to spread the cost of a big holiday and will not withdraw cash.

Virgin Money Everyday Cashback Credit Card: best for short-term cashback

This card also has no foreign exchange fee on purchases abroad. It pays 1% cashback for the first 90 days, then 0.25% (capped at £15 a month). The cash advance fee is 5%, the highest of the six.

• Pros: No annual fee; strong cashback for the first three months.
• Cons: 5% cash fee; low ongoing cashback.
• Representative example: 27.9% APR variable, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% p.a. (variable).
• Best for: Shoppers planning a big spend soon after opening the card.

Quick “best for” summary

• Best overall: Halifax Clarity
• Best for cash abroad: Barclaycard Rewards
• Best for cashback: Chase (if you are a customer) or Santander All in One
• Best for no annual fee: Halifax Clarity, Barclaycard Rewards, Chase or either Virgin Money card
• Best for 0% on purchases: Virgin Money Travel

These picks come from the criteria above and are not personal recommendations. The right card depends on your spending, your credit profile and whether you repay in full.

Best travel credit cards UK

A zero-fee card is a good start, but some of the best travel credit cards UK travellers use also include extras. Before you pay for a premium card, weigh up:

• Cashback vs. points vs. air miles: Cashback is simple and has no expiry worries. Points and miles can be worth more if you redeem them well, but only if you will actually use them.
• Annual fees: A card with a yearly fee needs to earn back more than it costs. Add up the perks you will really use.
• Travel insurance or lounge access: Check what is included, what the limits are and whether you must meet conditions to claim.
• Acceptance: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. Some other networks are less widely accepted abroad.

Many cards with no foreign transaction fees have no extra travel features at all. That is fine. If you will only use the card on holiday, pay off the balance when you return and keep it for your next trip.

Hidden costs to watch out for

The best credit cards with no fees abroad are not entirely free in every situation. Here is what to watch.

Cash withdrawals

“No foreign transaction fee” usually refers to purchases only. Cash withdrawals are often more expensive for three reasons:

• Many cards charge a cash fee (3% to 5% on the cards above).
• The cash interest rate can be higher than the purchase rate.
• Interest usually starts the day you take the cash out, with no interest-free period.

Example: You withdraw £200 on a card with a 3% cash fee. The fee is £6 straight away. Then interest builds daily until you repay. On a card with no cash fee and 23.9% interest, repaying after 30 days would cost about £3.93 in interest. Use a card with no cash fee when you can, and repay quickly.

If you need cash, a debit card is often cheaper. Many debit cards charge around 2.99% to withdraw abroad, and some ATMs add their own fee, so fewer, larger withdrawals usually cost less. There is no interest because the money comes from your current account.

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

At a shop or cash machine abroad, you may be asked whether you want to pay in pounds or the local currency. Always choose the local currency. Paying in pounds uses the merchant’s or ATM operator’s exchange rate, which is almost always worse than your card network’s rate.

Interest and APR

Saving 3% on fees means little if you pay 24% to 30% interest on an unpaid balance. Pay in full each month, ideally by Direct Debit, to avoid interest altogether.

Annual or monthly fees

Some cards, like Santander All in One, charge a monthly fee. Make sure the benefits are worth the cost.

How to choose the right no foreign transaction fee credit card

Use this checklist when comparing no foreign transaction fee credit cards:

• Foreign purchase fee: Is it 0%?
• Cash fee and cash interest: How much would a withdrawal cost?
• Interest rate (APR): What will you pay if you do not clear the balance?
• Fees: Is there an annual or monthly charge?
• Rewards: Is the cashback or points scheme worth it for how you spend?
• Eligibility: Can you meet the conditions (for example, being a Chase current account customer)?

Match the card to your travel style

• Occasional holidaymaker: A no-annual-fee card like Halifax Clarity is simple and low-cost.
• Cash user abroad: Barclaycard Rewards offers an interest-free period on foreign cash if you repay in full.
• Big one-off trip: A 0% purchases offer, such as Virgin Money Travel, can spread the cost.
• Expats and frequent online shoppers: Look for no fee on foreign purchases and check whether the card works for recurring payments in other currencies.

Check your chances before you apply

Every full application leaves a mark on your credit file, and several in a short time can lower your score. Use a provider’s eligibility checker first, which uses a soft search that does not affect your score. Several cards above offer one. Paying bills on time and keeping your balances low can improve your odds.

Tips for using your credit card abroad

1. Pay in local currency whenever you are asked.
2. Tell your provider about your trip if they ask you to, and turn on app alerts so you can spot problems quickly.
3. Carry a backup card, ideally on a different network (for example one Visa and one Mastercard).
4. Avoid cash advances on your credit card unless the card has no cash fee and you can repay fast.
5. Repay in full with a Direct Debit so interest never builds up.
6. Check the rate you are given on bigger purchases, as the network rate moves daily.

Credit cards vs debit cards vs travel money cards

	Credit card (no foreign fee)	Standard debit card	Prepaid travel money card
Foreign purchase fee	None on the cards above	Often around 3%	Varies by provider
Cash withdrawals	Usually costly (fees plus interest)	Often cheaper (typically no interest)	Varies; check ATM fees and limits
Purchase protection	Section 75 may apply (£100–£30,000)	Chargeback may be available	Limited; check terms
Best used for	Purchases	Occasional cash	Budgeting and cash

In short, a no-fee credit card is usually best for spending, while a debit or prepaid card may be better for cash. Always check the specific card’s terms.

Conclusion

A no foreign transaction fee card can save you around 3% on every overseas purchase, but the cheapest card depends on how you plan to use it. Halifax Clarity is a strong all-rounder, Barclaycard Rewards suits people who want cash abroad, Chase suits existing Chase customers, and Virgin Money Travel suits big spenders who want a 0% period.

Whichever you choose, pay in the local currency, avoid cash advances where you can, and pay your balance in full. Check eligibility first, and compare the latest terms before you apply.

Representative APR means at least 51% of customers will get this rate or better. Your actual rate depends on your circumstances. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident to apply, and credit is subject to status. This article is for general information only and is not financial advice.