Personal Finance Tips

Paying online in a foreign currency from France: how to avoid conversion fees?

Soufiane Baba

11.11.25

Read time 2 minutes

With the rise of international online shopping, many of us have had to pay online in foreign currencies. But how can you avoid high conversion fees? What’s the most convenient and cost-effective way to make online payments abroad from France? Here’s everything you need to know.

With the Wise card, you can shop online easily — without extra conversion fees or hidden markups. Wise always uses the mid-market exchange rate when converting currencies.

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Paying online in a foreign currency: what does it mean?

At some point, you’ve likely made an online purchase in a foreign currency — meaning you paid a seller or website that doesn’t use the euro (€) as its main currency.

For example, if you order cosmetics from a UK-based website, the price will be displayed in pounds sterling (£). When you pay with a euro-based card or account, your bank automatically converts euros into pounds to complete the transaction.

That’s what “paying online in a foreign currency” means — and it often comes with hidden conversion fees.

Paying online in another currency from France: what precautions should you take?

When making an online payment in a currency other than euros, there are a few precautions to take — both for your security and to avoid unnecessary fees.

1. Watch out for conversion fees

Conversion fees depend on the exchange rate your bank applies. Most traditional banks use a marked-up rate, adding a margin on top of the real exchange rate — which makes your purchases more expensive.

To save money, use providers that convert currencies using the mid-market rate, without hidden markups.

That’s exactly what Wise does — you can convert 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, with no limits or hidden fees.

2. Make sure the seller or platform is trustworthy

The growth of e-commerce has also led to a rise in online scams. Fraudulent sellers often lure customers with “too good to be true” offers.

Before entering your payment details, always check that the platform is legitimate. Look for verified reviews and make sure other customers haven’t reported fraud.

Be cautious of suspicious promotions or links offering unrealistic discounts. These are often phishing attempts designed to steal personal or banking information.

To stay safe, only make payments on reputable websites with secure payment pages (look for “https” in the URL).

3. Check your balance before paying

Online payments are convenient, but you need to ensure you have enough money in your account or on your card — especially if paying in another currency.

For example, if you need to pay £100 online, simply having €100 in your account won’t be enough, as one pound is worth more than one euro. You should also account for possible conversion and transaction fees.

Most traditional banks charge both a marked-up exchange rate and fixed or variable commissions on foreign currency payments — which can quickly add up.

FAQ: Paying online in a foreign currency with a French card

What’s the most economical way to pay online in another currency?

The best way to avoid expensive conversion fees and commissions is to use a payment provider that applies the mid-market exchange rate, such as Wise.

Can I pay online in US dollars?

Yes. Many international websites — including Amazon and other major marketplaces — display prices in USD. In some cases, it can even be cheaper to shop online in dollars than in euros, as long as you avoid the extra conversion costs charged by traditional banks.

What payment methods can I use for online purchases?

You can pay online using different methods, including:

An e-wallet (such as PayPal or Apple Pay).
A debit or credit card.
An international bank transfer.

Pay online in foreign currencies easily with Wise

With a Wise card, you can make online purchases in multiple currencies — securely and at low cost. Here’s what you get:

Hold 40+ currencies and convert between them instantly at the mid-market exchange rate.
Get local account details in 8+ different currencies (such as GBP or USD) to send and receive money like a local.
Pay online and send or receive money to 140+ countries quickly and affordably.
Order a physical Wise card for just €7 (delivery fee only), with no monthly fees afterwards.

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This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.

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We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.