Any suggestions on the top cards - N26, monzo, wise?
I used to love N26 when I lived in Berlin, but it’s been unavailable to UK users since Brexit. For my recent trip to Japan, I went with Monzo and Wise - Monzo was great for shops, and Wise saved me from terrible ATM rates. I’d avoid Revolut unless you pay for the higher plan. Monzo’s customer service is also much faster in emergencies. If you want two reliable cards that cover pretty much everything abroad, go with Monzo and Wise.
Living abroad now in Spain and still use my UK Monzo and Wise accounts. Monzo is brilliant for tracking spending and notifications, while Wise is unbeatable for sending and receiving EUR. If you're making big transfers, paying rent, or converting into foreign accounts, Wise wins. N26 isn’t an option anymore unless you’re an EU resident. For UK travellers or remote workers, this setup works without surprises. Just don’t forget to notify Monzo before travelling, or their fraud checks can block you.
Forget N26 - you can’t even open it from the UK anymore. I used Wise and Monzo while moving through Georgia and Turkey, and both were solid. Wise gave better exchange rates when withdrawing local cash. Monzo worked pretty much everywhere, and I like that it doesn’t slap on hidden fees. If you're asking about best travel cards for UK citizens, skip N26, and go Monzo + Wise. I wouldn’t rely on just one card either - always bring a backup.
I do long-term travel around Europe and Southeast Asia - Wise is hands down the best for foreign currency payments and ATM withdrawals. I pair it with Monzo for daily expenses. N26 used to be an option but it exited the UK market in 2020, so unless you had an account before, you’re out of luck. Wise lets me hold 10+ currencies and move money instantly, which is great for rent or local transfers. For travel in 2024-25, Wise + Monzo is my top combo.