Why the DKB Visa is a must-have in your luggage

Brazil is a country that never lets you go. The endless beaches of the northeast coast, the hustle and bustle of Rio, the silence of the Amazon – once you've been here, you'll return. And those who stay longer quickly realize: with the wrong credit card, every trip becomes more expensive than planned.

We experienced this ourselves – and found a solution that has been with us on every one of our Brazil trips since.

The problem: Brazil costs money – but not as much as your bank would have you believe

Anyone paying with a standard German credit card in Brazil always pays extra. Every transaction in Brazilian Real is subject to a foreign currency fee – usually 1.5% to 2.0% of the amount. On top of that, cash withdrawals come with flat fees of €5 to €10 plus additional percentages.

Sounds like a small amount? During a multi-week trip around Brazil, this quickly adds up to several hundred euros – money that would be much better invested in a caipirinha on the beach.

The solution: pay and withdraw cash for free with the DKB Visa

The DKB Visa is the best travel credit card for us – especially for Brazil. You can pay worldwide without foreign currency fees and withdraw cash for free. No surcharges, no bad exchange rates, no nasty surprises.

You always get the real Visa exchange rate – the same one banks use among themselves. Not the inflated tourist rate.

Example calculation: Three-week trip through Brazil

Imagine you are traveling through Brazil for three weeks – from Recife via Salvador to Rio. Buggy tour on the coast, pousadas, restaurants, excursions, shopping. About 10 payments a day, totaling around €500 daily.

Key data:

• Trip duration: 21 days
• Daily expenses: €500
• Total expenses: €10,500
• Cash withdrawals: approx. 5x

Costs with a standard credit card:

• Foreign currency fee (1.75% on €10,500): €183.75
• Cash withdrawals (5x, €7 flat fee each + 2% on €200): 5 × €11 = €55 + 5 × €7 = €35 → €135
• Total costs: approx. €318

Costs with the DKB Visa:

• Foreign currency fee: €0
• Cash withdrawals: €0
• Total costs: €0

👉 Savings: over €300 – on a single trip. That's an extra buggy tour. A weekend in a beach pousada. Or simply more freedom on the road.

→ Click here for the free DKB Visa

Our Brazil tip: always pay in Real

An important tip from our own experience: if an ATM or a merchant in Brazil asks whether you would like to pay in euros or in Real – always choose Real. If you choose euros, the operator handles the exchange – at their rate, with their fees. Then, even the DKB Visa won't help you anymore.

What else the DKB Visa can do

• Free credit card – no annual fee
• Real-time notification via app for every payment
• Accepted worldwide – even in small towns and on the beach
• Easy management via the DKB app
• Works just as well in Europe, the USA, Asia – everywhere

Our conclusion

Brazil is worth the trip – but not twice as expensive as it needs to be. With the DKB Visa in your pocket, you pay exactly what things cost. No more.

We recommend applying for the card in good time before your trip – the application is straightforward, the card is free, and you definitely won't regret it.

→ Apply for your free DKB Visa now

• This post contains affiliate links. If you apply for a card via these links, we receive a small commission – there are no additional costs for you. We only recommend products that we use ourselves and are convinced of.