A currency debit card is in demand among users purchasing goods from the websites of foreign companies, receiving or sending funds to friends abroad, as well as for direct payment abroad (without conversion). Let's consider the offers for today from such banks as VTB24, Sberbank, Tinkoff, Raiffeisenbank and Alfa Bank.

Sberbank

Sberbank allows you to select the account currency for almost any debit product: euro, dollar or national. Exceptions are special cards: Youth, Social and virtual.

Classic debit cards

A classic Sberbank currency debit card costs 30 dollars or euros. In the second year, the cost drops to 20 monetary units. If you need to order plastic with an individual design, you will need to pay an additional 500 rubles.

All standard banking procedures can be carried out not only in the branch, but also through online banking and Mobile banking. Most transactions can be done using an ATM. It is possible to create templates for payments and transfers for regular transactions and configure their automatic execution.

The daily withdrawal limit is set at 6 thousand dollars or 4.5 thousand euros. When using an ATM of another institution, a commission of 1% is charged.

Sberbank currency debit cards can be obtained at any of its branches. On-site specialists will help you choose cards with special conditions, and will also tell you in detail how to apply for this card with free service

Card with free service

The remaining cards, in accordance with their status, have slightly different limits and costs. The free currency debit card at Sberbank is called Momentum and is one of the simplest products that has several restrictions. In particular:

1. Not issued as part of a salary contract;
2. It is not possible to issue additional cards;
3. Daily cash withdrawal limit - USD 1,600/EUR 1,200

VTB 24

VTB 24, when registering any package of services and cards, automatically opens three accounts for the client: in national currency, in euros and dollars.

Types of currency debit cards

This VTB 24 currency debit card can be of any format: Classic, Gold, Platinum, Privilege.

Free card, conditions

The cost of the Classic package at VTB 24 bank is 75 rubles per month. But free service is also possible if one of the rules is met:

• Balances over 200 thousand rubles on all accounts;
• Card payments: from 20 thousand rubles;
• Receipts to the account exceed 15 thousand rubles.

VTB 24 offers its clients to issue a debit card by choosing one of the suitable service packages. As a rule, this greatly simplifies the procedure for using the card. If certain conditions are met, it becomes possible for the card to become absolutely free

Alfa Bank

An Alfa Bank currency debit card opens when you connect to one of the existing service packages.

Service packages

Economy, Optimum or Comfort. Plastic is issued free of charge, but the package provides for regular payment. For example, the Optimum package costs 199 rubles per month.

With free service

You can use a debit card from the Optimum Alfa-Bank package for free if you follow one of the rules:

• Turnover over 20 thousand rubles (equivalent in foreign currency);
• Balances on all cards and accounts are over $1,500 or 1,100 euros.

Tinkoff

Tinkoff also offers several account options for foreign currencies. The most popular currency debit card today is Tinkoff Black.

Advantages

Customers who have issued this card at Tinkoff Bank can experience the following positive aspects:

• 5% cashback on several selected categories;
• 1% cashback on all payments;
• 0.5% - income on the balance up to 10 thousand dollars or euros. No interest is charged on amounts above this amount.

Card with interest accrual

Maintenance costs 1 dollar or euro per month. If you have a deposit, loan or any account in the amount of 10 thousand monetary units or more at Tinkoff, a foreign currency debit card with interest accrual is serviced free of charge.

Raiffeisenbank

Raiffeisen Bank also allows the client to choose the currency for the card account independently. A classic Raiffeisenbank currency debit card costs 100 rubles per month.

Free service is possible if you make non-cash payments over 10 thousand or maintain a balance over 1 million rubles per month. Raiffeisenbank provides these conditions with the Optimal service package.

Currency debit cards can be issued at VTB24, Tinkoff, Raiffeisenbank, Alfa Bank banks for specific cases and certain purposes. Is it worth spending time on issuing such cards, albeit with free service, for an upcoming vacation abroad?

Conclusion

Thus, today it is not difficult to open a card with an account in the desired currency. To do this, you can choose banks such as Sberbank, VTB24, Tinkoff, Raiffeisenbank, Alfa Bank and others. Account servicing is possible in pounds, yuan and other less common currencies such as the dollar and euro. It is possible to use a debit currency card with free service, such as, for example, in VTB 24, but often this requires compliance with the condition of maintaining a balance or fulfilling a certain turnover. It would be a good idea to pay attention to the additional features that the card has, for example, income on the balance or cashback, as in Tinkoff Bank.

Currency cards have been issued by many banks in our country for a long time, and it is clear that many banks are trying to make the most favorable conditions for using their cards. Also, some existing cards can be converted into foreign currency at any time and two additional accounts can be opened in dollars and euros. Which currency card of which bank is better from 2016 to the present time.

Which currency card is better?

What are the advantages of currency cards?

Currency cards are a very convenient tool for those who like to travel around European countries, where very often in any store you can make a purchase in both euros and dollars. You can pay for any goods and services around the world in the exact currency that is quoted in a particular country.

You will not have to spend extra interest on conversion when transferring from national currency to euros or dollars, as is usually the case with MasterCard and Visa cards without a “multi-currency package”. You can also make transfers to accounts and cards in dollars and euros in any country in the world.

Similarly, you can make payments via the Internet in any foreign online stores or any other foreign services. Currency bank cards provide you with round-the-clock access to three accounts: rubles, dollars, euros.

With the help of modern SMS and Internet banking, you will always be aware of your transactions on your bank accounts. Many banks additionally provide the opportunity to issue additional currency cards for these three accounts. You can always give these cards to your family and friends who live in another country. At the same time, you will always be aware of all transactions on all currency accounts.

Sberbank multicurrency card

This is a good card, which comes in two types: MasterCard Standard and Visa Classic. It has three accounts at once: national currency, dollars and euros. Let's look at all the conditions for using this card.

• Card validity: 3 years
• Annual maintenance cost for the first year: 750 rubles or the equivalent in another currency
• Maintenance cost from the second year: 450 rubles
• Cash withdrawal from Sberbank ATMs: no commission
• Cash withdrawals from third party banks: 1%
• It is possible to issue gold and platinum cards, which in addition have privileged and discount programs.

Alfa Bank multi-currency card

This bank provides the opportunity to issue currency cards under the following programs: “Class!”, “Onlife”, “Basic”. The amount of monthly maintenance will depend directly on the amount of balance on all foreign currency accounts, and the higher the amount, the lower the amount of maintenance. Basically, these numbers vary from 59 to 129 rubles.

It is also possible to obtain an Alfa Bank gold currency card, which has a number of advantages:

• Legal and medical support abroad
• Registration of a travel insurance program
• Possibility of paying any amount anywhere in the world, as well as quick re-issuance of the card
• You have the right to issue three additional cards to the gold card at once.

Multi-currency card “Russian Standard”

This is a pretty good debit card, which in addition is also a savings card. This card will allow you to save a certain amount for the balance at the end of the month. This amount is credited to an additional savings account, which is automatically opened when you issue this card.

• Make purchases anywhere in the world
• 10% per annum on account balance at the end of the month
• Card maintenance is absolutely free from the second year
• 24/7 customer support anywhere in the world.

Citibank multi-currency card

Citibank currency cards are a very convenient tool for converting and using existing accounts. Using online banking and your personal account, you can link your existing accounts at any US Bank. You can also connect to any information services, both SMS and Internet banking. It is possible to additionally connect insurance programs.

VTB currency cards

The bank itself is one of the leading banks in issuing . Firstly, you have a large selection of cards in any class: gold, platinum and classic VTB cards. So everyone can choose a card to suit their wallet and their needs. Secondly, the cards themselves can be opened in either three or two currencies. And here you choose which second currency is better.

• Annual account maintenance 750 rubles
• The cost of servicing cards depends on the class of the card and the higher the class, the more expensive.
• Every month you can withdraw up to 1,000,000 rubles.
• Cash withdrawal from VTB ATMs: no commission
• There are various travel insurance programs, as well as 24-hour legal assistance around the world.
• When you sign up for a Platinum card, you receive a personal manager who can advise you from anywhere in the world.
• Connected cashback program, as well as discounts with bank partners.

Tinkoff currency card

All foreign currency accounts are subject to an accumulative balance system of 8%. You can withdraw money from ATMs in any country. The Tinkoff application is currently the most convenient among many banks. The card is issued online or by phone, and you do not need to visit a bank branch or office.

Which card is better?

There are no good or bad currency cards. Each bank provides its own more advantageous opportunities, and everyone decides for himself which card is best for him. In fact, each card has its own pros and cons and must be decided based on the needs of the client himself.

It allows you to use cash less often and reduce the risk of money theft during a vacation or business trip.

Sberbank

The country's leading bank offers travelers and businessmen 5 options for debit cards:

1. Aeroflot and Aeroflot Gold bonus cards with the function of exchanging accumulated miles for a free ticket.
2. Classic cards of the Standart, Platinum and Gold categories.
3. Momentum card, which is issued immediately after submitting an application.
4. Premium card Visa Platinum / MasterCard World Black Edition.
5. A classic card designed according to the client's sketch.

Sberbank reviews the application for card issue within 2-3 business days, after which it informs about the decision and production time. The cost of annual service depends on the availability of additional features and bonuses.

A simple Momentum card costs the owner free of charge, while for using Gold and Platinum level cards you will have to pay 3,000 rubles or more annually.

Please note: the commission for withdrawing cash in dollars and euros from Sberbank debit cards will be 1% of the amount.

For conversion from one foreign currency to another you will have to pay from 0.75 to 2% of the transaction amount. To avoid such commissions when traveling, open an account in the currency of the country you are going to. If you cannot pay in dollars or euros in the selected country, choose a Mastercard card in USD currency, which is not subject to such fees.

Alfa Bank

At Alfa-Bank, clients do not need to issue a separate debit card to make payments in USD or EUR. It is enough to open an account in the chosen currency and link it to an existing card.

You can switch between accounts and return to payments in rubles through Internet banking. This option is great for long trips to countries with different currency zones, as you save on conversion fees.

Alfa-Bank clients have a choice of 34 types of debit cards, from classic to new generation products such as the Next card. It allows you to use PayPass contactless payment technology when making payments, thanks to which you do not have to always carry a wallet with you. Just touch the terminal with a special bracelet, and the amount will be debited from your account.

It is important to know: the cost of annual maintenance for Next and other Alfa Bank cards with additional options, as a rule, exceeds 1,000 rubles.

If you are applying for a foreign currency debit card for one trip, it is more profitable to choose a simpler and more economical option. For example, a card with a Classic or Standard category chip with free service.

VTB 24

VTB 24 offers not to waste time on obtaining separate “plastic” for different currencies and get a multi-currency Classic or Gold card.

The main currency on this card is rubles, and the priority of auxiliary currencies depends on the type of international payment system to which it is connected.

For Visa, after the ruble account is reset, the base becomes the euro, and for MasterCard, accordingly, the US dollar.

Payment for a multicurrency card occurs according to the following principle:

1. If you purchase $100, that amount will be deducted from the applicable account.
2. If there are not enough funds in the account to pay, the missing amount will be debited from the next priority account - the ruble account.
3. Before debiting, rubles will be converted into dollars. Visa cardholders will have to pay a 2% fee for this transaction.

When using such a multi-currency card, it is important to always have the amount necessary for the purchase in your foreign currency account. Otherwise, numerous conversions from rubles to foreign currency will significantly increase vacation costs.

These cards compare favorably with the offers of other banks by their withdrawal limit - up to 1 million rubles. The commission for receiving cash does not differ from the standard one and is 1%, but not less than 300 rubles.

Tinkoff

For payments in currencies, this bank offers its most popular product - the Tinkoff Black card.

Bonuses for use: 0.5% on the balance and 1% cash back for each purchase.

For servicing, 1 unit of the base currency in which the account is opened is debited from the account every month.

The amount of the commission for cash withdrawal at Tinkoff Bank is tied to spending on the card for the month. If the purchase amount is less than 100 units of the base currency, it will be 3 EUR or USD. If you exceed the minimum threshold during the billing period, you can withdraw up to 5,000 in foreign currency.

Which is the most profitable

When choosing a tariff plan for a currency card, compare bank offers based on the following parameters:

• the card issuance period from the date of application;
• commissions;
• limits on withdrawal and deposit;
• availability of ATMs in other countries.

It is worth noting: in some countries there may be problems when paying with a card without a chip.

For example, in France, many cafes and shops have already switched to chip terminals. The same situation often occurs in Germany and other European Union countries.

Watch the video that describes the features of an interesting version of the Tinkoff AliExpress currency debit card:

For those who often travel or make purchases in foreign stores, it is beneficial to get a debit card with a foreign currency account. Moreover, the interest on the balance on currency cards is often comparable to the rates on deposits in foreign currency. Their main features:

• Some types of debit cards can be issued for free. For others, the cost of maintenance varies from $4-$789 per year.
• Interest on balance: 0,2-1,5%.
• Cashback: up to 17% of the payment amount.

The main feature of any such multicurrency debit plastic card: the ability to use a ruble account on a par with a dollar, euro or other account. This ensures a favorable currency conversion rate and the ability to withdraw from any ATM, even outside the country.

Cards with a minimum cost provide a small number of benefits, but it is most beneficial, despite the price, to use more privileged types that provide an increased level of comfort. Also, currency cards allow owners of ruble and foreign currency accounts to become participants in promotions and unique offers from the bank and its partners.

Open a currency card

In order to open a debit card with a foreign currency account need to:

1. Choose the appropriate version of the classic currency card.
2. Apply for a debit card and choose a method for receiving it.
3. Sign the contract, the card and receive it.
4. Activate payment instrument.

Immediately after this you can use it:

• Top up your account in cash and non-cash.
• Withdraw money from different ATMs.
• Pay for purchases and goods in retail chains and the Internet.
• Make transfers to other accounts.
• Participate in unique promotions.

Holders of multicurrency cards of this type are mainly those who regularly travel abroad, travelers or just tourists. The most popular option is reduced costs for currency conversion, as well as the ability to work directly with the currency that is accepted in the country of arrival. Mostly these are US dollars or euros.

Debit currency “plastic” from Sberbank, as a replacement for a multicurrency card, is issued within the framework of the VISA and MasterCard payment systems. When making payments abroad, it is more economical due to the lack of conversion.

MasterCard Standard currency card from Sberbank

A simple and easy-to-use product - Sberbank MasterCard Standard currency cards. It can be an excellent replacement for any multi-currency product from another banking institution.

You can order a currency card as a replacement for a Sberbank multicurrency card in real time on the bank’s website or at a branch of this financial institution.

The main features and functionality of this product include the following:

• Embossing. Transactions using such a card take place without authorization. Payments using it are available wherever there is no connection with the bank: on an airplane, train. This is possible thanks to pre-authorization (the card is imprinted on the imprinter).
• Carrying out payments in foreign currency. This way you can avoid unnecessary conversion costs.
• 3D-Secure security system.
• Bonuses and discounts. The card holder enjoys favorable bonus programs when paying in many retail chains.
• PayPass payment is an additional function of the contactless payment method.
• Cashless payment for goods and services.
• Cash withdrawal from ATMs of any financial institutions.

Key conditions for obtaining and using the option to replace a Sberbank multicurrency card:

• You only need to have your passport with you.
• Valid for 3 years.
• The cost of service in the first year is within $25, 25 euros, 750 rubles, in the second year and subsequent years - $15, 15 euros, 450 rubles.
• Manage money from your smartphone using a free mobile application.
• The monthly limit through cash desks and ATMs is 1,500,000 rubles, 50,000 US dollars, 37,500 euros.
• Cash withdrawals up to 150 thousand rubles per day or the equivalent in foreign currency.
• Topping up your plastic card with cash is free.
• Re-issue of “plastic” is free - upon expiration of the validity period. You will have to pay for early reissue (if you lose your card, PIN code, or change your full name) - 150 rubles, 5 US dollars, 5 euros.
• Account currency - dollars, euros, rubles.

This banking product has many advantages:

• Fast and secure payment for purchases using contactless technology.
• Favorable bonus program - over 0.5% of each purchase and up to 20% from bank partners.
• A free mobile application that allows you to manage your money from your smartphone.
• Free card replenishment with cash.
• Easy card management through online banking, mobile application, mobile banking, self-service devices.
• Additional features: 24-hour service, discount and privilege programs, emergency money withdrawal service.
• Low cost of maintenance.

Disadvantages of the card:

• If you lose your plastic card, PIN code or change your last name, you will have to pay for its early reissue.

Multi-currency debit card MasterCard classic from Alfa-Bank

This bank offers a multi-currency debit card for customers who need to receive transfers in euros or dollars, or withdraw cash abroad. The main features of this product include the following:

• A high level of protection is provided using a special chip - for offline purchases and cash withdrawals. Modern 3D Secure technology provides protection for online purchases.
• Pay for purchases with one touch of your smartphone or card using the ability to connect your card to Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay.
• Card issuance is free.
• Carrying out payments in foreign currency.
• Bonuses and discounts from partners of this financial institution - up to 5-7%.

Card issuance for new clients of a banking institution is available only after registration of one of the service packages.

This is one of the most common currency products in this bank. The key conditions for receiving and using “plastic” from Alfa-Bank include the following aspects:

• To obtain it you only need a passport. You can issue a card on the same day.
• Fast transfers to cards of other banks and back.
• Free maintenance is the main key condition of this product.
• Instant “relinking” of this “plastic” to accounts in rubles/dollars/euro.
• Manage money from your smartphone using a special mobile application.
• Topping up your account with cash is free.
• Re-issue of the card is free.
• Account currency - dollars, euros.

Advantages of a multi-currency card from Alfa-Bank:

• Excellent balance of price and quality.
• Free service.
• Making instant transfers to accounts of other banks.
• Free transfers using the Alfa Mobile mobile application.
• Simultaneously opening several other accounts for your loved ones along with the service package. You can also additionally open cards for accounts in different currencies.
• Make payments with one touch of your hand.

There is only one disadvantage worth mentioning - if you are a new client of this financial institution, in order to receive a card you will have to purchase one of the service packages.

Currency "Multicard" from VTB

The banking product “Multicard” from VTB is convenient to use if you need to receive money transfers in foreign currency. The main features of this “plastic” include the following:

• High level of protection - 3D Secure.
• Pay for purchases with one touch of plastic or a smartphone using the ability to connect the card to Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay.
• The card issuance is free when you fill out an application on the bank’s website and 249 rubles (about $5) when you apply at a branch. But this money is returned if the monthly account balance is at least 15,000 rubles ($300). In this case, the active card user will not have to pay for annual maintenance.
• Bonuses and discounts from partners of this financial institution.

The key conditions for obtaining and using this product are as follows:

• To obtain this banking product, you only need a passport.
• Free payments and transfers of up to 150 thousand per month (up to $3,000), if your transaction amount at the merchant using a card is from 75,000 rubles.
• The “plastic” holder will not have to pay for withdrawing cash from ATMs of other banks - up to 150 thousand per month (up to $3,000), if the amount in the TSP on the card is from 75,000 rubles.
• Accrual of 7% on the account balance if the amount in the merchant account on the account issued under the Multicard package is from 75,000 rubles.
• Manage money through online banking and from your smartphone.

An application for a card can be completed on the bank’s official website in 5 minutes. You can pick up the “plastic” the next day at any bank branch.

Advantages of using this product from VTB:

• Cashback - up to 10%.
• Interest on the balance of the account.
• Free service for active users.
• You can choose rewards for purchases from the following categories: “Auto and Restaurants”, “Collections and Travel”, “Savings” and others.

The disadvantages of this card are as follows:

• The annual maintenance fee can reach 3,000 rubles ($60), if you do not actively use “plastic”. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your income, expenses, or balance on the card is at least 15,000 rubles ($300) per month.

Bottom line

Currency “plastic”, as a replacement for a multi-currency card at Sberbank, is beneficial for those holders who often travel abroad or receive transfers in foreign currency. If a lot of transactions are carried out on the card every month and payments for purchases are made frequently, then you should choose the “Multicard” from VTB with a high cashback. If we compare the cost of service, the most expensive is the Multicard from VTB, and the most profitable is the card from Alfa-Bank. For convenience, Sberbank and VTB will have to issue an additional card.