What is a Travel account?

Travel account is our new in-app offering allowing customers to open and link the travel account account to an eligible NatWest current account. This in turn allows customers to use the same debit card they'd normally use while abroad in an euro currency country, without having to pay any transaction fees.

Travel account is available to existing sole account holders of eligible current accounts who are registered for mobile banking and are UK residents over 18. Mastercard debit card holders only. Limited to one Travel account per customer (fees may apply). For more information, see our Travel account product page.

What are the benefits of a Travel account?

You can link a Travel account to your current account, which you can top up with euros from your linked current account. Then you can use your same debit card to spend in euros when you're abroad without any transaction fees. You can also take out up to €200 cash from an ATM without any fees every 30 days while you’re abroad*. When you’re home, you can exchange your euros back to pounds at any time for free.

* Please bear in mind that whilst we don’t charge fees for ATM withdrawals up to €200 with this account, some ATMs may still charge you a fee. This will depend on the ATM.

Cash withdrawals over €200 will carry a fee.

Can I use my debit card for the Travel account in a European country?

Yes, you can. When using your debit card at an ATM in a European country, you'll have the option to Accept or Decline the conversation rate. If you wish to withdraw money from your Travel account, you should decline the conversion option. If you accept the conversion, then it will debit your current account in GBP.

How do I use a Travel account (including spending in-person and online)?

Your Travel account is linked to your main current account and uses the same debit card. This means that when you're abroad you don't need to worry about an additional card or PIN number. We'll recognise you're abroad and if there's money in your Travel account, any money you spend using your debit card will be taken from your Travel account in the local currency, you won't pay any fees or charges on your spends. Every 30 days, you can also take out €200 cash for free from an ATM whilst abroad*. For online spending, if the website currency is in euros, we'll know to take the money from your Travel account. If the currency is in GBP, we'll take the money from your regular current account.

* Please bear in mind that whilst we don’t charge fees for ATM withdrawals up to €200 with this account, some ATMs may still charge you a fee. This will depend on the ATM.

Cash withdrawals over €200 will carry a fee.

Can a Travel account be used in a country where euro is not the currency?

At the moment, the Travel account is for euros only. For online spending, if the website currency is in euros, we'll know to take the money from your Travel account, even if you are not in Europe. Your debit account will work the same as it does today for spending in countries outside of Europe.

Can I receive payments into my Travel account?

No, you can only transfer money from your linked sole account which means you can't receive payments from other bank accounts or standing orders into the Travel account.

Can a Travel account go overdrawn?

No, there is no overdraft feature on a Travel account. If you don't have enough money in your Travel account to cover a payment, the money will be taken from your linked current account*. If you don't have enough money in your linked current account to cover the payment, the transaction will decline. If you don't have enough money in your Travel account to cover a transaction, the full amount of the transaction will be paid from your linked current account*.

* Please bear in mind that fees may apply when money is taken from your linked current account.

Will Travel account be available for non euro currencies?

At the moment the Travel account is for euros only.

Does a Travel account need to be closed after holiday?

Not at all. You can keep your Travel account open for as long or short as you'll like and use it to help you budget your money for future trips.

Do I receive interest on funds in my Travel account?

You don't receive any interest on funds within your Travel account.

Can Travel account documents be provided in a non-digital format?

Yes, they can. You can download a PDF of the T&Cs during the opening journey which you can print yourself. You can also request paper copies of statements and download the T&Cs from our website.

Can money be transferred into a Travel account from a joint account?

No, Travel accounts are for sole purposes only and can only be linked to a sole current account. Transfers can only happen between the sole Travel account and sole current account.

What exchange rate is applied to a Travel account when I top up or exchange back?

When transferring money to the Travel account, you'll be given the current rate available. If you wish to know the exchange rate of a particular transfer, you can find this in the 'Details' section of the transaction on your mobile app.

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What is a Travel account?