Revolut Fees Explained: How Much Does It Really Cost?

You pay for your sandwich at a New York subway station using mobile payment on your phone — and later realize your bank has taken a bite too? Welcome to the world of hidden fees.

Revolut is a rockstar in the world of banking — hip, international, flexible.

💡 But even rockstars sometimes cost more than expected:

➡️ From subscription fees and currency exchange to international transfers, the actual costs depend heavily on how you use the service.

So how much does Revolut really cost and when is it worth taking a look at Wise?

In this article, you’ll learn where fees arise, which features are worth it — and why Wise is often the smarter deal for many international transactions.

Anyone who moves money globally should know what they’re getting into. Otherwise, you may end up paying more than necessary. Time to take a closer look at Revolut.

Discover Wise 🚀

Overview of Revolut’s fee structure

Revolut brings movement to digital banking — with an app that offers far more than just an account. From Standard to Ultra (0 – 50 EUR per month), you can choose between five subscription tiers with an increasing range of features:

Virtual disposable cards, budgeting tools, insurance, lounge access, crypto, cashback — if you want a lot, you get a lot.

💡 But the rules of the game vary depending on the plan:

Cash withdrawals, weekend currency exchange, and international transfers outside the SEPA area can have additional costs — depending on timing, destination and subscription tier.¹

Account models and their costs

Whether you’re a saver or a world traveler — Revolut offers an account that fits. But not every upgrade is worth it. What seems like convenience can quickly impact your budget if limits or additional costs are overlooked.²

Revolut account models compared

Five subscription tiers, many extras — but not every one makes sense for everyone. Below is an overview of what each account model offers:

• Information in this table is accurate as of 01.08.25

What does this mean in everyday use?

• Standard and Plus offer solid basic features. However, caution is needed with weekend exchanges and larger amounts, as surcharges of 0.5 – 1% can apply quickly.

• Premium and above are mainly worthwhile for heavy users who travel frequently or exchange large sums. You avoid all exchange fees and benefit from extras like insurance and lounge access.

• Ultra is an all-inclusive, VIP-style offer — only sensible if you actively use the included benefits.

Revolut can be a brilliant option — but only if you learn the costs involved. For occasional users, the free Standard plan is often a great fit. If you operate internationally on a regular basis and want more convenience, higher tiers may be worth it.

Fees for international payments and currency exchange

With Revolut, you can send money across borders quickly — sounds simple, but there are pitfalls. Outside the eurozone, costs depend heavily on the target currency, timing, and subscription tier.³

How much do international transfers cost?⁴

💡 Within the SEPA area, it’s straightforward:

EUR transfers are free — whether to Spain, France, or Italy.

💡 Outside Europe, it gets more complex:

Fees increase depending on currency, amount, and plan. Examples:⁵

💡 A few examples of popular target currencies:

➡️ USD, CAD, AUD, CHF, SEK: 0.15% (min. 0.50 EUR, max. 300 EUR)

➡️ GBP: 0.20% (min. 0.30 EUR, max. 300 EUR)

➡️ CNY: 0.75% (min. 1.75 EUR, max. 500 EUR)

❗ Important:

With SWIFT transfers, additional bank fees of 15 – 50 USD often apply — outside Revolut’s control, but noticeable in the final amount.

Currency exchange — cheaper on weekdays

💡 Revolut clearly differentiates:

• Mon–Fri: Up to 1000 EUR per month free (Standard Plan). After that, a 0.5% fair-use fee applies.
• Weekend: Flat 1% markup — regardless of amount or currency.

This applies not only to transfers, but also to card payments, crypto or commodities. Anyone who regularly pays in foreign currencies should keep an eye on their app — otherwise, it can get expensive quickly.

Additional costs: What to watch out for

The Revolut Standard account is free — at least at first glance. But if you’re not careful, certain extras can cost you, such as cash withdrawals, cards, or plan changes.

💡 Did you know?

• Cash withdrawals are free up to 200 EUR or five withdrawals per month — after that, a 2% fee applies (min. 1 EUR).

• The first physical card is free, but shipping costs apply. Additional or replacement cards cost 6 EUR plus shipping.

• Custom designs? Only for an extra charge.

• When switching plans, it’s worth reading the fine print. If you test a paid plan and then cancel, there might be charges involved— e.g. 40 EUR for a shipped Metal card.

• Insurance or extras like lounge access are not included in the Standard account. If you value these, you’ll need to upgrade.

💡 Tip:

For very specific cases, it’s worth checking Revolut’s terms and the personal fee section in the app.

If you use the Standard account purely digitally, you’ll usually get by completely free. But if you withdraw cash, order cards, or experiment with subscription tiers, you should take a closer look.

Comparison: Revolut vs. Wise for international payments

Traveling, working remotely, paying globally — Revolut and Wise are among the most well-known tools for borderless finance. But their approaches differ significantly.

Subscription options?

💡 Revolut works with subscription tiers:

From 0 – 50 EUR per month, you choose your package — with extras like insurance, lounge access, or higher cash withdrawal limits. Good for heavy users, but sometimes confusing:

➡️ Weekend markups, limits, and additional fees included.

💡 Wise focuses on clarity:

One model for everyone, no tiers, no complicated rules. You only pay when you use it — and always exchange at the real mid-market rate.

Features at a glance

Which one suits you best?

💡 Revolut is for those who enjoy banking as a playground:

A bit of trading here, cashback there, travel insurance on top. If you enjoy digital extras and are willing to manage limits and subscription details, you’ll find a versatile tool here.

Wise is for those who say: just tell me what it costs — and that’s it. No tiers, no traps. Just send, exchange, and pay money worldwide — clearly priced, predictable, no hidden layers. Ideal for digital nomads, frequent travelers and anyone who prefers doing over managing.

How Wise optimizes your international transfers

Whether it’s a gift for family in South America, a freelancer invoice to London, or an Airbnb in Bangkok — when money flows internationally, two things matter most: Price and Speed.

Pay only for what you actually use — fair, flexible, borderless

With Wise, you only pay when you actually use the service. And what you get goes far beyond classic transfers:

💡 Local bank details worldwide:

Receive USD, GBP, EUR & more like a local — without money leaving the country. Faster, cheaper, simpler.

💡 Multiple currencies in one app:

Hold over 40+ currencies in one place — and exchange whenever it suits you. Send money to over 160 countries.

💡 One card, all countries:

The Wise card automatically uses the best available currency to pay abroad— with no markups, even offline.

💡 Ultra-fast transfers:

Over 64% of transfers arrive within minutes, 95% within 24 hours.

Wise is more than just a money transfer service — it’s a global financial platform that thinks ahead. For travelers, remote workers, and anyone thinking and moving globally.

Save with Wise 💰

How to register with Wise

Registering with Wise is simple and straightforward. Here's how it works:

Step-by-step to your Wise account

💡 Open our website or app:

Whether on your laptop or mobile phone - start via Wise.com or directly in the Wise App.

💡 Choose account type:

Private or business - decide directly or later. Many use both, neatly separated.

💡 Register:

With email and password or via Google, Apple or Facebook. Entirely as you prefer.

💡 Verify:

Upload a valid identification document. For business accounts, additional company information is required.

💡 Confirm address:

Via electricity bill, tax assessment or bank statement - the main thing is: clearly legible and current.

💡 (Optional) Order Wise card:

Directly in the Wise App - physical or digitall. Perfect for travel, online shopping or spontaneous foreign currency expenses.

💡 Our tip:

Immediately set up a few currencies, test the Wise App, and receive your first payments. An account that thinks globally also opens up new possibilities.

Revolut fees: transparency and costs at a glance

Revolut brings momentum to banking — with an account, card, crypto, and more in one app. The free Standard account is a good entry point, but anyone who uses more should take a closer look.

However, the real costs arise along the way:

• More than 5 cash withdrawals or over 200 EUR per month? 2% fee.
• Currency exchange on weekends? 1% markup.
• International transfers outside the SEPA zone? Fees depend on target currency and subscription tier.

Those who understand Revolut can save smartly — those who don’t pay quickly.

💡 What’s the bottom line?

Revolut is a smart multitool for financial adventurers. Anyone who enjoys discovering new features, managing everything in one app, and actively controlling their account will find a flexible playground here — from trading to travel insurance.

Wise remains streamlined and transparent, focusing on what matters most. Full power for international payments, fair exchange rates, and an account that makes you feel at home, anywhere in the world.

💡 Your daily life decides:

Do you want everything in one app — or simply know that your money has arrived?

You have the choice. And now, also the knowledge.

Start now with your personal Wise multi-currency account 💡

FAQ

Here you’ll find answers to the most important questions about Revolut — and how Wise compares.

How much does Revolut really cost — and when does it become expensive?

The Standard account is free. But anyone who regularly withdraws cash, exchanges currencies, or sends money abroad should pay close attention: once limits are exceeded or transfers are made on a weekend, fees rise quickly.

Is a paid Revolut subscription worth it?

For heavy users with travel plans or regular currency needs: yes. Premium features like insurance, lounge access, or higher free limits can make sense. For everyone else, the free plan — or Wise’s pay-per-use approach — is often the cheaper solution.

What fees apply to international transfers with Revolut?

Within the SEPA area, it’s simple: the transfers are free. Beyond that? It depends on the target currency, amount, and subscription tier. Revolut shows the exact costs before sending.

Wise goes one step further with fair exchange rates, transparent fees, and no subscription model.

How do Revolut and Wise differ in currency exchange?

Revolut allows fee-free exchange up to a monthly limit. After that, markups apply. The fee is also higher on the weekend. Wise, on the other hand, always uses the mid-market rate — no limits, no weekend surcharges. Ideal for anyone who frequently deals in multiple currencies.

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Sources used (as of 01.08.2025):

1. Revolut.com – Terms and conditions for paid subscriptions
2. Revolut.com – Subscription comparison
3. Revolut.com – Transfer fees
4. Revolut.com – Fees and limits for currency exchange
5. Revolut.com – Fees for international payments
6. Revolut.com – Fees for private customers (Standard)