With traditional banks, UK travellers are subject to an average charge of 2.8% for each non-sterling overseas debit card transaction*, which is an estimated £1.26bn* in aggregate annual overseas banking charges. N26 Black removes the uncertainty of exchange rates and transaction costs encountered through foreign travel. For a monthly subscription of £4.90, Black customers benefit from no mark-up fees on foreign transactions and Mastercard’s best exchange rate, enabling them to spend at home and abroad, without limitations. Based on estimated annual expenditure and days overseas, Black members stand to save £151 a year in average fees charged by high street banks.**

In addition to a frictionless FX experience, account holders can benefit from access to an additional eight Spaces, N26’s unique financial goal-setting and budgeting function. Overseas travel can complicate spending and Spaces enables people to visualise their goals and plan their future, whether that’s at home or abroad.

Alexander Weber, Head of International Markets, says: “The majority of UK customers are being hit by high transaction fees every time they use their card overseas. At N26, we don’t believe that spending abroad should be any different from spending at home. N26 is simplifying the daily financial decisions that customers face and N26 Black is the perfect fit for UK travellers.”

*Based on £44.84bn total annual spending by UK residents overseas (ONS, 2017) and average high street debit card transaction fees of 2.8%.
**Based on £250 daily expenditure and 5 daily transactions for 30 days of travel a year (including accommodation) vs. an average high street debit card transaction fee and purchase charge of 2.8% and factoring in the annual £58.80 annual subscription for N26 Black.