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Help & support

Help with Debit Cards

Common questions

We know how important your debit card is in everyday life and what it means when things go wrong

How do I report a lost or stolen card?

Find out how to freeze your card or order a replacement if it gets lost or stolen.

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Report a lost or stolen card Open in new window

Why has my debit card been declined?

Check our guide for common reasons why your card may have been declined and how to contact us.

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Why transactions decline Open in new window

Why has my debit card payment to my credit card failed?

There are a number of reasons why a debit card payment to a credit card may fail. Find out more on our support page.

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About failed payments Open in new window

When will my debit card arrive?

When your new debit card arrives will depend on a number of circumstances. See our guide below for more information.

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Card delivery timescales Open in new window

How can I pay in money at the Post Office?

See our guide below to find out more about our Post Office services.

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How to pay in money at Post Office Open in new window

Why do my debit card payments take me overdrawn?

Sometimes transactions don't show on your balance immediately and this can take you overdrawn. Find out more on our support page below.

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About going overdrawn Open in new window

Planning on using your debit card abroad?

Our Visa Debit and Service cards are accepted at 30 million retail outlets and 1 million ATMs worldwide, just look out for the VISA symbol before using your card as normal.

For details of where you can withdraw cash outside the UK, please access the Visa ATM locator

Remember to take this number with you in case you have any issues

0044 131 339 7609

More on travelling abroad Open in new window

Charges for using your debit card outside the UK

The following transaction types will not incur any charges

  • Sterling cash withdrawals from any UK cash machine (ATM).
  • Sterling cash withdrawals from any Ulster Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland or NatWest branch in the UK, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar. 
  • Sterling cash withdrawals in the UK in any bank, travel agent, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Visa logo.
  • Foreign currency withdrawal in any other banks, travel agents, bureau de change or other outlets displaying the Visa logo in the UK.
  • Foreign currency withdrawal from any Ulster Bank cash machine (ATM) in the Republic of Ireland.

Cash withdrawals or the purchase of currency or travellers cheques outside the UK will be charged a Non-Sterling Transaction Fee of 2.65% of the value of the transaction.

If you elect for the transaction to be converted into Sterling at the point of sale or withdrawal, we will not charge a Non-Sterling Transaction Fee, however the transaction handler may charge you a separate fee.

Purchases made in a foreign currency inside and outside the UK (for example, purchase of goods in a shop while you are on holiday) will incur a Non-Sterling Transaction Fee of 2.65% of the value of the transaction (not applicable to cash cards)

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Foreign Exchange rates

With the exception of transactions that are taken from Ulster Bank ATMs, we will convert any transaction made in a foreign currency using your Debit Card or Cash Card into Sterling using the Visa Payment Scheme Exchange Rate.

To see the up-to-date rates used for Debit Cards and Cash Cards click on the link Visa daily foreign exchange rates online.

For transactions undertaken at Ulster Bank ATMs in a foreign currency, we will apply the Ulster Bank ATM rate. 

Withdrawal Limits

In most cases, you can withdraw funds up to your ATM daily withdrawal limit, provided there are sufficient funds in your account. Within Europe some cash dispenser networks have imposed a maximum value per transaction of €150 (equivalent to around £135).

To withdraw more than this you have to carry out more than one transaction. To withdraw more than this you have to carry out more than one transaction. There is a daily limit for cash withdrawals using a Visa Debit card in any other bank, travel agent, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Visa logo. Details of the limit are available on request from your branch.

Below is an example which shows what the charges would be for using your Ulster Bank debit or credit cards abroad

Visa Debit Cards:

 

Purchases

Cash

Payment Scheme Exchange Rate (set by Visa or Mastercard)

€1=£0.8598

or

£1=€1.1630

Non Sterling Transaction Fee

2.65%

2.65%