Exchange rates to card transactions

Purchases and cash withdrawals you make abroad are debited in euros either to your bank account (debit) or credit facility (credit).

When you make a purchase or withdraw cash in a currency other than the euro, the wholesale rate of the currency used in either the Mastercard Europe or Visa International system (depending on the card) is applied. A currency conversion fee (2.25% of the transaction amount at the most) is added to the wholesale rate.

The wholesale rate is determined according to the date on which the transaction is transmitted to Mastercard Europe or Visa International. The exchange rate used for a card transaction is given in the transaction details on the account statement of the account linked to the card or on the credit card invoice.

You can view indicative exchange rates on the international pages of Mastercard and Visa.

Mastercard's wholesale ratesOpens new window

Visa's wholesale ratesOpens new window

You can pay for purchases or withdraw money in currencies other than the euro also in the EEA. Examples of EEA Member States with a currency other than the euro include Sweden, Norway and Iceland. With this calculator, you can compare the exchange rates used by Nordea with the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) reference rates. Select your card in the calculator and enter the transaction amount, currency and date. The calculator will show you the amount you will be debited in euros and the difference between Nordea’s exchange rate and the ECB’s reference rate.

Calculator for card transaction comparisons in the EEAOpens new window

More information on the exchange rates of your card transactions made in the EEA will be available in the Nordea Wallet and First Card apps as of 19 April 2021. You will be able to receive useful currency conversion information regarding cash withdrawals or card payments you make in currencies other than the euro. Why not download the Nordea Wallet or First Card app from your app store today? You will then be ready to receive the new notifications next April. The apps are free of charge to you.

The Nordea Wallet and First Card apps will make the monitoring of your spending easier. As a user of the apps, you can already now receive a notification to your smartphone whenever your card is debited. The notifications will later be supplemented with exchange rates related to currency conversion, including the difference between Nordea's exchange rate and the ECB’s reference rate as well as the amount you will be debited in euros. You will be able to block the notifications in the app settings in April 2021 if you so prefer.