Money in Nigeria: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange
As one of the largest countries in the world - 186 million people - and the 20th largest economy on the planet, Nigeria has already been identified as an...
Can I use my Starling card in Nigeria?
Planning a trip to Nigeria? You’ll need to work out the best way to spend in Nigerian Naira (NGN) to cover your expenses while you’re there.
If you’re a UK customer of Starling Bank, you might be interested to know whether you can use your UK-issued debit card for your Nigerian trip.
So is it possible, and are there any fees to use your Starling card abroad? Read on for everything you need to know.
We’ll also have a quick look at an alternative for holiday spending from the money services provider Wise - the Wise international debit card.
Do Starling debit cards work in Nigeria?
Yes, Starling Bank cards are designed for use overseas, as well as for everyday spending in the UK.
This means you can use it for spending in Nigeria, wherever you see the Mastercard logo.
It works just like at home, so you can use your Starling card to spend in shops, restaurants, hotels, travel hubs and anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments. You can also use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Nigeria.
Are Nigerian naira supported for spending?
You can spend in a wide range of currencies with the Starling debit card. Just make sure you choose to pay in the local currency (Nigerian naira or NGN) when asked, rather than in your home currency (British pound sterling).
This will mean that the currency is converted by Mastercard when you spend, which generally offers the mid-market exchange rate or very close to it for many currency pairs.¹
You can check the Mastercard exchange rate at any time here.
Are there any limits?
There are some limits for spending on your Starling debit card overseas:²
| Transaction type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Spending on your card | Up to £10,000 per day |
| Contactless payments | Limit varies by country, if available |
| ATM withdrawals | Up to £300 per day, 6 withdrawals maximum |
Do you need to tell Starling Bank that you’re going abroad?
There’s no need to tell Starling Bank in advance that you’ll be using your card in another country.¹ You can just hop on the plane and go, and start spending as soon as you arrive.
How much does it cost to use a Starling card in Nigeria?
Starling Bank doesn’t charge any fees for using your debit card abroad.¹ This includes both spending and cash withdrawals, although you’ll just need to watch out that ATM operators don’t charge their own fees.
A great alternative for low-cost spending in Nigeria - the Wise card
Starling Bank isn’t the only game in town when it comes to travel spending, and it’s always worth comparing all options.
Open a Wise account online and you can get a Wise international debit card for a one-time fee of just £7. This can be used for spending and ATM withdrawals in 150+ countries, including Nigeria.
The Wise international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Nigerian naira when you spend. But unlike some other providers, it does the conversion at the mid-market exchange rate.
There’s just a small fee to carry out the conversion. Or if you already have NGN in your account, it’s fee-free.
Need cash? You can even use your Wise card to withdraw up to £200 a month (up to 2 transactions) from Nigerian ATMs for free (although again, remember that some ATM providers may charge their own fee).
And that’s it - your at-a-glance guide to using your Starling Bank debit card in Nigeria. It’s great that you can use it abroad, and for no fees.
Just make sure to pay in the local currency when asked, and watch out for any ATM operator fees. Have a great trip!
Sources used for this article:
- Starling Bank - Travel
- Starling Bank - What limits does my card have?
Sources checked on 22-04-2024.
*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.
