Wise card in Ireland: mid-market rates, one catch
The Wise debit card for Irish users — €7 one-off fee, FX from 0.57% at the mid-market rate, the May 2026 ATM repricing and the Belgian IBAN catch.
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Wise does one job better than anyone else in this market: moving between currencies at the mid-market rate — the one you see on Google, not the one a bank pads. The card that comes with a Wise account is a debit card, costs €7 once, and has no monthly fee.
If you’re comparing it against Revolut, Monzo or N26, the short version: Wise wins on currency conversion, and loses as a main current account.
What it costs
- €7 one-off for the physical card. No subscription, no monthly fee.
- Currency conversion from 0.57%, always at the mid-market rate. That headline rate varies by currency pair, but there’s no hidden spread on top.
- ATM withdrawals: €250 a month free, then 2.69% of the amount above. Wise repriced this on 1 May 2026 (it was 1.75%), so most comparison articles you’ll find are quoting the old number.
- The Irish government’s 12c ATM stamp duty applies (capped at €5 a year) — Revenue’s rules capture foreign-issued cards where the holder lives in the State.
The catch: a Belgian IBAN
Wise Europe serves Irish customers from Belgium, so your euro account details start BE, not IE. IBAN discrimination is illegal across SEPA, but in practice a Belgian IBAN still causes occasional friction with Irish payroll systems and direct-debit forms. If you want an app account with an Irish IBAN, that’s Monzo or Revolut — and plenty of people run Wise alongside one of those, using Wise purely for travel and transfers.
Who it suits
- You’re paid in, or regularly spend in, another currency — sterling salary, US freelance income, a euro life with UK commitments.
- You travel enough that FX spread matters more than a free ATM allowance.
- You want to hold balances in multiple currencies without opening foreign accounts.
It’s a weak choice as your only account: no Irish IBAN, no credit facilities, no cash lodgements.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wise available in Ireland?
Yes. Irish residents can open a Wise account and order the debit card (€7 one-off). Euro account details are a Belgian IBAN, issued by Wise Europe SA.
Is the Wise card a credit card?
No. It’s a debit card spending your Wise balance — Wise offers no credit card, overdraft or lending in Ireland. The only app-based credit card here is Revolut’s.
What does Wise charge at the ATM?
Since 1 May 2026: €250 per month free, then 2.69% on anything above that. The 12c government ATM stamp duty applies on top, as it does with any card used at an Irish ATM.
Is Wise safe?
Wise Europe is regulated in Belgium and safeguards customer funds — it holds your money separately from its own. It is not a bank, so deposits aren’t covered by a €100,000 deposit guarantee scheme the way Monzo’s or a pillar bank’s are.