This guide walks through the key facts about the An Post currency card, how you can get it, the main fees and other relevant information.
We'll also introduce another option as a comparison - the Wise debit card. With Wise you can open an account for free, and get a linked card⁶ to hold and spend 40+ currencies easily and cheaply.
Read all about the Wise card 💳
The An Post Money currency card - also known as An Post prepaid card or the An Post FX card - is a prepaid debit card aimed at travellers.⁴
With this prepaid contactless Mastercard you can spend in stores and online, as well as withdraw money.
You can buy, exchange and manage 15 currencies on the An Post Money currency card²:
- Australian dollars (AUD)
- British pounds (GBP)
- Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Czech koruna (CZK)
- Euro (EUR)
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- New Zealand dollars (NZD)
- Polish zloty (PLN)
- South African rand (ZAR)
- Swedish krona (SEK)
- Swiss francs (CHF)
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED)
- US dollars (USD)
| 💡 If you need more currencies, the Wise Account can be an alternative. In the account you can hold +40 currencies and use the debit card to spend in +150 countries. |
|---|
You can use your An Post card to spend any currency you hold for free in stores when you travel. If you’re spending a currency you don’t have on your card, or one which isn’t supported by the card, you’ll pay a fee.⁵
Check below the main charges of the An Post Currency Card and also the main fees of the Wise debit card, also available in Ireland, as comparison.
| Service | An Post Currency card⁴ | Wise card |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering the card | Annual Irish stamp duty charges of €0.12 for any ATM transaction in the Republic of Ireland, up to a total of €5 per calendar year | One time fee of €7 |
| Spend in a currency you hold | Free | Free |
| Spend in a currency you don't hold | 5.75% (Foreign exchange fee) | Conversion fee from 0.42% that varies between currencies |
| ATM withdrawals fee | Flat fee that varies per currency + 5.75% (Foreign exchange fee) E.g: EUR €2.00, US $2.50 and GB £1.50 | Free withdrawals up to €250 per month.⁷ After that, 2.69% fee applies. |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard exchange rate | Mid-market exchange rate, the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of a currency. |
If you want to use your An Post Currency Card in Ireland or within the euro area you may find you pay additional fees.
| Service | An Post Currency Card⁴ |
|---|---|
| Initial load/To pup fee – to your Euro wallet | 1.25% |
| Withdraw at a post office from your Euro wallet | 1.25%, maximum €8.00 |
With the An Post Money Currency Card there’s a minimum top up amount of €50.⁵ There are then some maximum limits and caps you may need to know about - here are the key facts, with the Wise debit card as a comparison too:
| Transaction type | An Post limit⁵ | Wise card limit |
|---|---|---|
| ATM withdrawals - maximum withdrawal amount in 24 hours | €750 or currency equivalent | €2,000 (same as monthly) |
| Card spending - maximum spend amount in 24 hours | €2,000 or currency equivalent | €30,000 (same as monthly) |
| Maximum balance at any one time | €10,000 or currency equivalent | No limit |
If you don’t have enough currency on your An Post Currency Card to cover your transaction, the card will automatically select the next available currency wallet to make a payment.
The An Post Currency Card uses the Mastercard exchange rate for doing the conversions, and they can vary depending on the day and time. And additionally, there is the foreign exchange fee of 5.75% when you need to spend or withdraw in a currency you don't have available in your card.³
Wise does things a bit differently, and always uses the mid-market exchange rate for all transactions, the same you normally see on Google.
Wise derives the mid-market exchange rate from the bid and ask rates provided by independent sources and updates it in real time, at every minute, while the trading market is open.
Wise does not make money on the currency conversion and doesn't add any markups too.
| 🔎 Read more: An Post exchange rate |
|---|
With the Wise Account you can hold 40+ currencies, receive money for free in major world currencies, and access the mid-market exchange rate every time you want to convert currencies.
You can order your Wise card online, so no need to queue up, and you'll have all the convenience of an international debit card. You'll be able to pay and withdraw in +40 currencies in +150 countries.
Check some other benefits of the Wise card:
- Create up to 3 digital cards for free
- Withdraw up to 250 EUR in cash a month for free⁷
- Add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Freeze and unfreeze your card instantly in the Wise app
- Get notifications for every transaction
Open your Wise Account
for free 🚀
You can get your An Post Currency card through the An Post Money app or at a post office. In case of applying in the Post Office, you need to print and fill a form beforehand. You also need to be a resident in Ireland and at least 18 years old.
You'll need to have some documents:
- Proof of your name (passport or driving license)
- proof of your address (household bill or bank statement within the last six months)
If you already have an An Post current account, you can set up a currency card within the An Post Money app.¹
After your card order is approved, you'll receive it within 5 working days.¹
Yes, you can use your card to buy goods and services at shops, restaurants and online, if Mastercard is accepted.⁴
Yes, it's possible to use the An Post currency card abroad, where Mastercard it's accepted.
To top up your An Post card you can register your account online, and top up using the An Post app with your debit card (credit cards are not permitted for top ups).²
All sources last checked on January 31, 2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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