Travelling Abroad - Bank of Ireland (2024)

Before you go

Check that your cards and passport have not expired

We automatically replace expiring cards, so you don’t need to do anything. You will receive your replacement card about 2 weeks before the end of the expiry month.

Your card will work for the entire month shown on the expiry date.

If you have any more questions check out our FAQ section on Visa Debit replacement cards here.

Make sure we have your up-to-date contact details before you travel

It’s very important that we have the right email or mobile number for you, to make sure your transactions abroad (particularly outside Europe) are really yours. If we can’t confirm that it’s you using your card, it may be blocked to prevent fraud. It’s likely that we’ll try to get in touch with you to make sure this is a genuine transaction.

• Before you travel, it’s important to confirm we have the correct mobile number for you. If you have recently changed your number, or are unsure of the number you use for SMS security codes, you can amend your mobile phone on 365 online.
• Ensure that when abroad you can check your text messages and emails

If you need to get cash, be aware that many countries only allow a max withdrawal of €100 or £100. Our website has a list, under ATM withdrawal limits abroad (see below).¹

Lost and stolen cards: some important numbers

We’re here to help 24/7. Keep our emergency helpline numbers somewhere safe, so you can cancel any lost or stolen BoI cards and organise replacements. We’d recommend writing them down somewhere handy, along with other important numbers like travel insurance, airline helpdesk, etc., as well as keeping them on your phone or device.

• Outside the Republic of Ireland: +353 56 7757007
• Within the ROI: 1800 946 764

Once you arrive

Use Credit and debit card vs cash

Credit or debit cards are preferable to – and safer than – cash. Your credit and debit card can be accepted worldwide when you see the MasterCard/ Visa logo. Use your debit card to take cash out from an ATM.

Pay in the local currency – it’s cheaper

Making purchases outside the Euro zone? Pay in the local currency if possible. Retailers usually apply higher charges if you convert transactions to Euro.

Split your cards

If you are travelling and have both credit and debit cards with you we would recommend that you would keep your cards in two different places. This will be beneficial if one card becomes lost at least you have access to your other card.

Take care at ATMs away from home

Use well-lit, properly maintained ATMs, beside a bank if you can. Don’t get side-tracked by others when you’re using the ATM, and take care not to let your PIN be noticed. Memorise your PIN: writing it down isn’t advisable.

• ATM withdrawal limits abroad

  ATM Type	Daily limit
  Chipped ATM – most of Western Europe (generally located at bank branches)	€500 / £500
  Non-Chipped ATM (usually smaller retail ATMs found in shopping centres, hotels etc.)	€250 / £250

  List of specific countries with different Non-Chipped ATM Limit

  Barbados €100 / £100	Malaysia €100 / £100
  Bolivia €100 / £100	Nepal €100 / £100
  Bulgaria €100 / £100	Pakistan €100 / £100
  Cambodia €100 / £100	Peru €100 / £100
  China €100 / £100	Philippines €100 / £100
  Colombia €100 / £100	Romania €100 / £100
  Dominican Republic €100 / £100	Russia €100 / £100
  Dutch Antilles €100 / £100	South Korea €100 / £100
  Greece €60 / £60	Taiwan €100 / £100
  India €100 / £100	Thailand €150 / £150
  Indonesia €100 / £100	Trinidad and Tobago €100 / £100
  Jamaica €150 / £150	Ukraine €100 / £100
  Laos €100 / £100	USA €250/ £250 ($250)
  Latvia €100 / £100	Vietnam €100 / £100
  Lithuania €100 / £100

  • The above limits are daily withdrawal limits
  • Daily limits are lower at non chipped ATMs
  • Some Foreign Banks have their own ATM withdrawal limits which may be lower than those listed above
  • If your initial ATM withdrawal request is refused, please try again using a lower amount