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The ability to work anywhere in the world can broaden your horizons and help you achieve your travel goals without quitting your job. But many banks charge exorbitant fees for foreign transactions — and if you're abroad for several months at a time, those fees can add up fast.
The best banks for digital nomads have no ATM or foreign transaction fees. That makes your life easier, whether you're paying rent in Lisbon, grabbing a pain au chocolat in Paris, or withdrawing cash in Buenos Aires. We've done the research to find the best online banks for your nomad lifestyle — plus, learn common mistakes to avoid when picking a bank.
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How we rate products
Location-independent workers who travel the world and work in different countries have unique needs when it comes to banking. For this article, we considered features that help make a digital nomad’s banking experience easier. This primarily includes banks that don’t charge foreign transaction fees, have a wide network of fee-free ATMs, and offer lower-cost options for transferring money and converting currency internationally.
Compare banks for digital nomads
| Bank | Great for | ATM fees | Foreign transaction fees |
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Capital One |
One-stop-shop banking | No ATM fees in-network
Doesn't refund third-party ATM fees |
None |
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Charles Schwab |
Investing | None
Third-party ATM fees are refunded |
None |
| Wise | Multi-currency banking services | Only two free ATM withdrawals per month, $1.50 after | Starting at 0.57% |
| Chime®6 <p>Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. The secured Chime Credit Builder Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.</p> | Low-fee banking | No ATM fees in-network (U.S. only)
Doesn't refund third-party ATM fees7 <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.</p> |
None |
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Revolut
|
Sending money internationally | No in-network fees
2% out-of-network transactions |
Limited fee-free exchange transactions depending on the plan |
Capital One
- No foreign transaction fees on 360 Checking accounts
- There are no charges for out-of-network ATM transactions (but the ATM owner may charge fees that aren't reimbursable)
- No fees or minimum balance requirements
Capital One offers a wide range of financial products, including checking and savings accounts and credit cards, that digital nomads can easily manage from anywhere in the world. My friend, who travels extensively, has been banking with Capital One for years and has told me he can easily access his accounts when overseas. The 360 Checking account has no minimum balance requirements and no monthly, foreign transaction, or ATM fees. However, you may incur a fee by the ATM owner if you use an out-of-network ATM outside the U.S., and Capital One won't reimburse you (unlike some online banks and companies with generous ATM rebate policies).
Capital One's checking account earns interest, although the rate is pretty low at 0.10% (as of 09/15/25) APY. However, a 360 Performance Savings account earns 3.20% APY.8 <span>A rate of 3.20% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) applies to all account balances. Advertised rates are variable and effective as of 03/12/2026. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.</span>
One important note for digital nomads: Capital One only offers international wire transfers through branch locations. Currently, there are only branches in the U.S.
- Highly rated mobile app
- No fees, including foreign transaction and ATM fees
- Access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs
- International wire transfers are only done through branch locations
- Doesn't reimburse third-party ATM transaction fees
- Physical cafe and branch locations are only in the U.S.
Learn more in our Capital One 360 review.
Charles Schwab
- Links to the Schwab One brokerage account
- No monthly, overdraft, or foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited worldwide ATM fee rebates
You might know Charles Schwab best as an investment brokerage firm, but it also offers banking products, including checking and savings accounts. The Schwab Bank Investor Checking account is linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. If you don't already have a brokerage account, you'll get one upon opening your checking account. This is why Charles Schwab is among the best companies for digital nomads interested in investing.
Schwab doesn't charge monthly or overdraft fees, and there are no minimum balance requirements. It doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and also refunds fees on most ATM transactions, no matter where in the world you are.
However, the company doesn't reimburse ATM fees on Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) transactions, which is when you view and accept the amount of your transaction in U.S. dollars rather than the local currency. For example, if you withdraw money from an ATM in Spain, you may be given the option to complete the transaction in the local currency (euros) or U.S. dollars. Choosing euros helps you avoid additional fees. The withdrawal will be dispensed in the local currency regardless.
- No foreign transaction fees and unlimited ATM fee refunds worldwide
- Ranked #1 in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Direct Banking Satisfaction Study
- 24/7 banking assistance
- No minimum balance requirement
- Doesn't accept foreign wire transfers
- Foreign ATM transactions in U.S. dollars may not be eligible for refunds
- Brokerage accounts are not FDIC-insured
Learn more in our Charles Schwab review.
Wise
- Works in over 160 countries and 40 currencies
- No subscription needed for a multi-currency card
- Low-cost international money transfers
Wise lets you hold, receive, and convert money in over 40 currencies, making it ideal for digital nomads who frequently travel between countries. You can also send money across borders in multiple currencies with real exchange rates and low fees.
The Wise Multi-Currency Card lets you make purchases abroad with no foreign transaction fees and automatic currency conversion at the real exchange rate (i.e., mid-market rate). Banks usually charge a markup, but Wise doesn't.
The downside with Wise is its fees and transaction limits. You can make up to two fee-free withdrawals per month, totaling up to $100. Your third and subsequent withdrawals will have a $1.50 fee — and if you withdraw more than $100 a month, you'll pay a percentage of the amount in fees.
- Holds and converts over 40 currencies
- Uses the real exchange rate (i.e., mid-market rate)
- Discounted fees for large transfers
- Limited free withdrawals
- Has many fees
Chime
- No foreign transaction fees
- Robust overdraft services9 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, "SpotMe"). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month.</p><p>Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/">SpotMe terms and conditions</a>.</p>
- Automated savings features (including roundups)10 <p>You can automatically transfer part of your direct deposits of $1 or more from your Checking Account into your selected Chime account(s).</p> 11 <p class="">Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account. <br></p>
Chime is best for digital nomads who want to avoid as many banking fees as possible. It offers fee-free access to over 47,000 fee-free ATMs at stores like Walgreens, 7-Eleven, and Target, and doesn't charge monthly fees on its Chime® Checking or Chime® High Yield Savings12 <p class="">Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account.<br></p> accounts. 13 <p>Optional services and products may have fees or charges, such as outbound instant transfers, out-of-network transactions, and credit products. Learn more here. Link leads to <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/fees-info/">chime.com/feesinfo</a></p> 14 <p>There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.</p>
Importantly, there are no foreign transaction fees with the Chime Visa® Debit Card15 <p class="">Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.<br></p> or the Chime Card™16 <p class="">To apply for a Chime Card, Chime® Checking Account is required to apply.</p> . Chime® Checking is also one of the best accounts you can open without a credit check, making Chime a great choice for nomads who are working on improving their credit.17 <p class="">On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary. </p> But it's worth noting that Chime doesn't offer many financial products to choose from, so don't pick it if you want to do all of your money management in one place.
- No foreign transaction fees on debit or credit cards
- Access to 47,000+ fee-free ATMs in the U.S.
- No monthly fees on checking or savings
- Doesn't offer international transfers
- Doesn't reimburse third-party ATM transactions
Learn more in our Chime review.
Revolut
- Provides a high-yield savings account
- Has three plan options: Standard (free), Premium ($9.99/month), and Metal ($16.99/month)
- Works in multiple countries with 25 currencies
On the surface, Revolut looks like one of the best banks to use when you travel the world and work. It supports 25 currencies and enables users to send and receive funds across multiple countries. However, it might not be the best bank for traveling workers due to its fees.
Revolut offers three different plans: Standard (free), Premium ($9.99/mo), and Metal ($16.99/mo). Although the Standard plan is free, it has more fees and fewer features than the paid plans.
For example, currency exchanges are limited to $1,000 monthly, after which a fair usage fee of 0.5% applies.
There is also no discount on international transfers, which cost up to 5% of the transaction amount with a minimum of $10. You'll get more currency exchange transactions per month and discounts on international transfers with the Premium or Metal plans, but it will cost you. The Premium plan costs $9.99 per month, and the Metal plan costs $16.99 per month.
The APY on your Revolut savings account is between 3.25%-3.75% (as of 11/03/25) APY. You'll get a higher APY with the Premium or Metal plan and a lower APY with the Standard plan.
For people who work around the world, the Revolut Metal plan is the best choice. Although it costs $16.99 per month, it includes up to $10,000 in accidental medical insurance, up to $900 in trip delay expense coverage, up to $5,000 in trip cancellation and interruption protection, and protection for delayed, lost, or damaged baggage.
- Available in many countries and currencies
- Provides some fee-free foreign transactions
- No minimum balance required
- The number of fee-free currency exchange transactions is limited
- You have to upgrade to a paid plan to receive better benefits
- Charges a 2% fee for out-of-network ATM transactions
Using a credit card abroad
I often travel to the U.K. to visit family, and I always use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. This lets me enjoy my trip without worrying about racking up extra fees on my account — and I don't need to think about exchanging money. This type of credit card is essential for digital nomads who spend many months at a time traveling overseas.
If you plan to use your credit card overseas, you may need to notify your bank or card issuer before you leave. If you don't, they might flag your transactions as fraudulent and freeze your card, which is the last thing you want when you're navigating a foreign country.
When you pay with a credit card abroad, the terminal will ask whether you want to pay in U.S. dollars or the local currency. It's best to choose the local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC), which leaves the exchange rate to the merchant and can lead to higher fees.
Here are some good options for credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees:
Best credit cards for digital nomads
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Bank of America's Travel Rewards credit card has no foreign transaction fees, and you can earn travel rewards. This is great for freelancers who spend a lot of time traveling.
You can earn 1.5X points on everyday purchases and 3X points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through Bank of America's Travel Center.
Plus, the card has an intro 0% APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles and an intro 0% APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro periods, the APR for purchases and balance transfers is 17.49% - 27.49% Variable.
As a new cardholder you can also earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Read more in our in Bank of America Travel Rewards Card review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a FinanceBuzz favorite. Like the Bank of America card, it has no foreign transaction fees and gives travel rewards points for purchases.
As a digital nomad, you will probably dine out frequently, especially in countries where going to a restaurant is relatively affordable. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card lets you earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card does have a $95 annual fee, but if you do the math, the benefits may outweigh the fee. For example, you can earn a $50 hotel credit each year by booking hotels through Chase Travel. And, every year you earn a 10% anniversary point bonus. So if you earned 50,000 points last year, you'd get 5,000 bonus points.
Read more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.
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FAQs
What is the best international digital bank?
The best international digital banks are those that don't charge foreign transaction fees and banks with no international ATM fees. Some banks, like Charles Schwab, reimburse all ATM fees regardless of where the ATM is located. Other banks, like Capital One, don't charge ATM fees on in-network or out-of-network transactions, but there may be fees from the ATM operator.
Another feature to consider when choosing the best international digital bank is the cost of international fund transfers, especially for digital nomads with family or finances in the U.S.
How do you file taxes as a digital nomad?
How you file taxes as a digital nomad depends on how much you earn, where you work, and where your home base is. Keep track of this information throughout the year to simplify tax season, and make sure you understand the rules about U.S. taxes for digital nomads.
Which credit card is best to use for international travel?
The best credit card for international travel doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and offers other benefits, like travel rewards and trip protection. Some credit cards even include Global Entry or TSA Precheck. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of our favorite cards for international travel.
Bottom line
Now that you know the best banks for digital nomads, it's time to choose the right one for your needs. Carefully compare the pros and cons of each option to decide which best meets your requirements.
Think about how often you'll need cash, how much you'll transfer between currencies, and whether you'll need to wire money back home. Your money should work for you, no matter where in the world you log in from.
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