Bank license
No (EMI/payments model)
Wise positions accounts under an e-money/payments framework rather than a full banking license.
Checked on: 2026-06-28
Open sourceProvider review
Wise
Wise is strongest when cheap foreign spending and broad multi-currency support matter more than banking-style perks or a full current-account experience.
Best for: Frequent travel
Last updated
2026-06-11
Source quality: High
Based on 3 official source links and Trustpilot check (2026-06-13).
5 review samples analyzed, 80% substantiated.
Facts
Data snapshot
Updated 2026-06-11
- Monthly cost
- No monthly fee
- ATM free limit
- Reference profile: € 250/month
- ATM after limit
- Reference profile: 2.69% above € 250/month; local ATM operator fees may apply
- FX cost
- For EUR SWIFT transfers outside SEPA: € 5.21 (shared) or € 25.22 (fixed), plus conversion/payment-method fees
- Card cost
- Reference profile: € 6 one-time card issue; € 4 replacement; expired-card replacement free
- Currencies
- 40+
- Deposit guarantee
- No (electronic money institution)
- IBAN type
- BE IBAN
Compliance badges
Compliance snapshot
Updated 2026-06-28
EMI safeguarded funds
Yes
Client funds are generally safeguarded under EMI/payment-institution rules, not used as bank deposits.
Checked on: 2026-06-28
Open sourceDeposit guarantee
No bank-style €100k guarantee
Wise account balances are typically safeguarded; classic bank deposit-guarantee coverage is not the default model.
Checked on: 2026-06-28
Open sourceKnown friction
KYC/manual-review holds can occur
User-reported friction can include verification reviews or temporary account restrictions in compliance workflows.
Checked on: 2026-06-28
Open sourceApp visuals
Wise app visual
Live app preview for this provider. This visual is mapped one-to-one to the current provider page.
Current pageWise
Who it is best for
- Frequent travel
- Freelance invoicing
- Everyday multi-currency spending
Pros
- Very strong travel FX positioning with broad currency support.
- Useful local account details in several markets.
- No standard weekend markup narrative in the same way free-plan rivals often have.
Cons
- ATM value weakens after the free allowance.
- No deposit-guaranteed current-account positioning like N26.
- Feature availability differs materially by country.
- Not designed as a premium banking bundle.
Quick comparison (2026)
Direct snapshot of provider, monthly cost, FX, ATM, and best use case.
| Provider | Monthly cost | FX profile | ATM | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | No monthly fee | For EUR SWIFT transfers outside SEPA: EUR 5.21 (shared) or EUR 25.22 (fixed), plus conversion/payment-method fees | Reference profile: EUR 250/month | Frequent travel |
| Revolut | EU plans: Standard EUR 0; Plus EUR 3.99; Premium EUR 10.99; Metal EUR 19.99; Ultra EUR 65 per month | Exchange in 35 currencies at Revolut rate within plan limits; Standard and Plus can have weekend exchange fees | ATM free by plan: Standard EUR 200/month or 5 withdrawals; Plus EUR 200/month; Premium EUR 400/month; Metal EUR 800/month | Online shopping |
| Monese | EU plans: EUR 0 / 2.95 / 7.95 / 14.95 (Pay As You Go, Everyday, Cashback, Premium) | Foreign card spending fee by plan: 3% (Pay As You Go), 2% (Everyday), 0.5% (Cashback), 0% (Premium) | ATM free tier by plan: none (Pay As You Go/Everyday), EUR 500 (Cashback), EUR 2,500 (Premium) per month | Quick GBP/EUR setup |
Costs and limits details
Literal values are shown where available. Always verify current plan terms on official pages.
Exchange rate / FX fees
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Exchange rate / FX fees
Built around mid-market pricing with conversion fees shown upfront and no routine weekend markup angle in the core proposition.
Literal value: For EUR SWIFT transfers outside SEPA: € 5.21 (shared) or € 25.22 (fixed), plus conversion/payment-method fees
Source: Wise pricing
Last checked: 2026-06-11
Nuance: FX outcomes vary by currency pair, timing, plan, and country.
- Known for transparent FX pricing rather than bundled spreads.
- Widely cited starting fees can be low for major corridors, but exact cost still depends on corridor, product, and region.
- A strong fit for travellers who want predictable foreign spending without free-plan weekend penalties.
Availability, pricing, limits, and features vary by region and plan. Check the official source before applying.
ATM withdrawal costs
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ATM withdrawal costs
Useful for occasional travel cash needs, but not built as an unlimited ATM card.
Literal value: Reference profile: € 250/month; Reference profile: 2.69% above € 250/month; local ATM operator fees may apply
- Some official Wise pages describe two free withdrawals per month up to a fixed threshold before extra fees apply.
- Operator ATM fees may apply separately.
- Free limits and post-limit fees differ by market.
- Better for occasional cash access than heavy ATM use.
Availability, pricing, limits, and features vary by region and plan. Check the official source before applying.
Supported/available currencies
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Supported/available currencies
Very broad support for holding and spending in many currencies.
Literal value: 40+
Source: Wise card
Last checked: 2026-06-11
Nuance: Available currencies and account details vary by country.
- Suitable for frequent cross-border spending.
- Coverage can still depend on local account availability rules.
- Strong fit for users who manage balances in multiple currencies.
Availability, pricing, limits, and features vary by region and plan. Check the official source before applying.
Extra features
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Extra features
Strong account utility, less focused on lifestyle extras.
Literal value: Card: Reference profile: € 6 one-time card issue; € 4 replacement; expired-card replacement free
- Supports digital wallet usage in supported regions.
- Business and personal tools vary by country.
- Feature set is practical rather than premium-heavy.
Availability, pricing, limits, and features vary by region and plan. Check the official source before applying.
Price / subscription
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Price / subscription
Free usage path available with pay-as-you-go fees on relevant actions.
Literal value: No monthly fee
Source: Wise pricing
Last checked: 2026-06-11
Nuance: Plan pricing and included benefits may differ by country.
- Good for people who do not want a mandatory monthly plan.
- Some premium or business features may have separate pricing.
- Always verify current card and account fees in your region.
Availability, pricing, limits, and features vary by region and plan. Check the official source before applying.
Operational transparency
Only essential provider points: FX, limits, support, security, and dispute handling.
FX profile
Official Wise pricing pages explicitly state mid-market rate usage and transparent upfront fees; effective all-in cost still depends on corridor and amount.
ATM and limits
Official Wise card-fees page confirms GBP 250/month free ATM withdrawals, then 2.69% above allowance, plus possible ATM-operator fees.
Support response
Official Wise complaints policy states acknowledgement target within 1 working day and final response target within 15 calendar days (with extensions in rare cases).
Security
Official Wise security/help pages explicitly describe 2-step verification options including passkeys, app prompts, authenticator apps, and SMS/call fallback.
Dispute timeline
Official complaints policy provides concrete targets: acknowledgement within 1 working day and final response within 15 calendar days, with extension paths.
Last update: 2026-06-29 10:15 CET
Sources
The information on our site is based on the information on these official sites:
FAQ
Is Wise best for frequent travel spending in 2026?
Wise is usually strong for transparent FX and predictable card spend, but ATM-heavy users should verify post-limit fees first.
Does Wise have hidden monthly card costs?
Wise generally emphasizes transparent cost lines, but route-specific transfer fees and ATM terms still need a use-case check.
When should I compare Wise against Revolut again?
Recheck when your currency mix, ATM pattern, or travel frequency changes, because ranking can flip by behavior.
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