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

The Nordea Mobile and First Card apps make it easy for you to track your spending both at home and abroad. When you make non-euro card payments or cash withdrawals within the EEA, you will get a notification including the transaction details and currency conversion to your smartphone.

The notifications include: 

• the euro amount to be invoiced
• the exchange rate
• the difference between Nordea’s exchange rate and the ECB’s reference rate.

Download the Nordea Mobile or First Card app from your app store. The apps are free of charge.

Please note that in Nordea Mobile, you will need to enable notifications under Notifications on the Profile tab. 

You can also disable notifications in the Nordea Mobile and First Card apps.