10

Looking for an issuer of Maestro cards in the UK, as I will be travelling to and from and The Netherlands frequently, and do not wish to carry cash and will not be becoming a resident.

Mastercard and Visa are not widely accepted there and I have been caught out because of it before.

Even though Mastercard own Maestro, they do not issue Maestro cards in the UK - does anyone know where I could get a Maestro card, preferably for a low fee? Bunq bank offer a Maestro for a monthly fee but I'd rather find a more mainstream bank if possible.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    This question might be better on money.stackexchange.com – Traveller Sep 13 '19 at 19:36
  • 2
    Not an answer, but my understanding is that V Pay (the Visa branding for EC cards) will also work wherever Maestro cards do. This might help in your search. – MJeffryes Sep 14 '19 at 8:38
  • 2
    I would challenge the assertion that "Mastercard and Visa are not widely accepted [in the Netherlands]". I lived there for 4 years had had no problems using my UK issued VISA credit card and my UK issued VISA debit card, in ATMs, and at a variety of POS devices in stores, restaurants, and petrol stations. Once I got an account at AbnAmro in the Netherlands, I used the cards they issued, again a VISA credit card and an AbnAmro bank ATM card (VISA as well, I think), in many locations in the Netherlands, UK, and other countries too. – Nick Oct 28 '19 at 18:20
3

None of the banks above issue a Maestro Card. The only banks active in the UK who DO issue Maestro cards are a company called Quidity, a company called Splash, and Revolut. And Revolut will only issue you with a Maestro Card if you live in Germany, Austria or the Netherlands! The Quidity card is expensive. £5 for the card, £5 "membership fee" for a year, a 3% transaction fee for every payment, 3% top Up Fee using Paypoint, or for a Credit/Debit Card 2% (subject to £1.00 minimum fee). Oh, and £1.50 ATM withdrawal (+ additional 2% for charges over £50). Still want one ?

http://www.quiditycard.com/help02.html

Or there's Splash.

http://www.splashplastic.com/about.html

Same membership and card issuing fees, a mere 2.5% transaction fees, 3% top up Fee using Paypoint, or for a Credit/Debit Card 2.5% (subject to £1.00 minimum fee), and £1.50 per ATM withdrawal.

Maestro cards are widely accepted in the Netherlands, Visa and Mastercard less so. Indeed, there are branches of Albert Heijn that will ONLY accept Maestro - no cash, no other cards.

Improve this answer
3
  • The other solution are bad enough for Splash to merit a mention but are you affiliated with them? “a mere 2.5% transaction fees” reads like advertising copy. – Relaxed May 29 '20 at 23:54
  • 4
    No, I was being entirely sarcastic, sorry if that wasn't clear. 2.5% transaction fees are outrageous, never mind 3%. – Ric EUTENEUER May 30 '20 at 0:09
  • Could OP change their address to a Dutch one (their hotel or Airbnb should work), then get a Maestro card from Revolut? – JonathanReez♦ Dec 8 '20 at 14:53
2

Bunq's free account does not come with a card, but you can still use their app to make mobile contactless payments.

You might be able to open an account with a mainstream Dutch bank as a non-resident, but it seems from bank websites that they'll all require you to have some sort of connection to the Netherlands, or otherwise have a BSN (citizen service number). You could consider registering in the Netherlands as a non-resident to obtain one of these - there don't seem to be any requirements for who can do so!

Improve this answer
2

Not strictly an answer to your question, but good to know: next to Maestro all shops in the Netherlands also accept VPAY cards (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_Pay). So if you cannot find a bank in the UK that offers Maestro, maybe you can find one that offers VPAY.

Improve this answer
0

Get a prepaid card

You should be able to find a prepaid MasterCard card in shops in Netherlands. You can probably top them up using a Visa. Pre paid Maestro cards seem impossible to find.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    that won't help, because MasterCard cards are (mostly) not accepted in shops in the Netherlands – Robert Wagenaar Dec 11 '20 at 12:10

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.