Seems like you’re planning to use your UK bank cards in Pakistan. Here, we'll take a closer look at withdrawing money from UK bank cards abroad, covering fees, limits, and card options. Let's see if it is even worth it and what alternatives are available.
Best UK debit card to use abroad
ATMs in Pakistan: An overview
Smarter choice — Profee
FAQ — UK debit card
Best UK debit card to use abroad
Not every debit card in the UK is suitable for travellers. Foreign transaction fees, low limits, debit card withdrawal charges — these are only a few of the inconveniences caused by the wrong choice of debit card UK.
To avoid foreign transaction fees (at least), consider these UK bank cards:
- ‘Starling debit card UK’;
- ‘Wise virtual debit card UK’;
- ‘Monzo debit card UK’;
- ‘Virgin Money debit card UK’.
You can pay with Visa and Mastercard in Pakistan, so these banks are a safe choice. Plus, each has special offers: unlimited withdrawals or fewer fees. Read their offers carefully and ask a bank about specific charges for transactions in Pakistan; maybe you overlooked some.
Okay, you’ve chosen the best UK debit card to use abroad, issued it and packed your things. Read on to find out what to expect about ATM withdrawals once you land in Pakistan.
ATMs in Pakistan: An overview
Where to find
There are thousands of ATMs across Pakistan. Use locators to find the nearest machine:
Types of cards
Most ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard in Pakistan, so you don't have to open a separate bank account with another provider just for a trip.
Physical cards are perfectly fine, but using your virtual debit card UK may be problematic as not every ATM is contactless.
Pakistani ATMs support cards with 4-digit pins — most UK cards pass.
Debit card withdrawal charges
UK banks, ATMs, and local banks — they all will charge you for the withdrawal.
- General ATM fee: around £1.70 to £4.30 per transaction.
- UK bank fee: usually between 2.75% and 2.99%
Why using ATMs is inconvenient
Evening. You’ve booked a table in a restaurant and are a bit late, but you want to withdraw cash first. The nearest ATM is a ten-minute walk away, so you hurry over. On arrival, you check your withdrawal limit — just £30 left for the day, but enough to cover dinner. You proceed with the transaction. The screen shows the fees; you accept them, since there’s no alternative. The machine spits out the cash. You grab it and glance around nervously, hoping no one is lurking in the dark behind you.
How do you feel after this story? Not the best travel experience one may have but it describes what's wrong with the ATMs pretty well. That’s why we need a better alternative.
More for Pakistanis in the UK:
Smarter choice — Profee
If you have a debit card in the UK and a bank account in Pakistan, you can send money online to yourself with Profee. Due to fewer fees, you'll save more money for yourself. Plus, you'll feel much more confident about the safety of your funds.
Wallet-friendly
Profee's exchange rates are unmatched, and our fees are low. Instead of overpaying for ATM charges, you can use our service and buy another souvenir or two.
Secure
Your data and funds will be safe. Profee is a licensed service which monitors fraud and uses end-to-end encryption to protect your personal information.
Convenient
Whenever you need more money in your Pakistani account, you can open our app and make a transfer right away. Why waste your time searching for ATMs when you can send money with a couple of clicks?
Want to learn more? Head here for a step-by-step guide on how to send money to Pakistan to yourself.
Gift for our readers: a promo code READPROMO for a 0% fee transfer. Use it until September 30th, 2025.
FAQ — UK debit card
Is there a PayPal debit card in the UK?
Currently, the only available PayPal debit card in the UK is for business accounts. The company may issue a personal PayPal debit card UK in the future, but there are no updates on this matter.
What is the best UK debit card to use abroad?
Starling, Monzo, Virgin Money and other cards that discount foreign transaction fees.
How do I send money to a Pakistani account?
- Join Profee.
- Insert the amount of money to be sent.
- Select your payment method.
- Add the details of your Pakistani account.
- Review and approve the transfer.
Which bank has more ATMs in Pakistan?
In 2025, HBL has the widest ATM network in Pakistan.
How much money can you withdraw from an ATM in Pakistan?
Limits differ between ATM owners and your home bank. Check both to know the exact upper amount.
