What does the percentage in the text message I receive after a foreign currency transaction mean?

In case of a foreign currency transaction, you will receive a text message showing you the difference (in %) between the reference rate of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the one of Mastercard (costs included).The following example will show you how this percentage is calculated.

You can easily turn these text messages on or off using the form below.

Country of transaction: Sweden

Amount: 100 SEK (Swedish krona)
Amount in euro: 9.67989 EUR (1 SEK= 0.096799 EUR)
Exchange fees: 1.75 % of the amount converted into euro
Exchange rate Mastercard: 1 SEK= 0.096799 EUR

Rate (including exchange fees) = 0.096799 EUR + 1.75% =0.0984928 EUR (= 1 SEK)

Exchange fees for 1 SEK = 0.0016938 EUR (= 0.0984928 EUR – 0.096799 EUR)

Total amount including fees (Mastercard fee) for 100 SEK = 9.67989 EUR + 0.16939 EUR = 9.8492 EUR

Exchange rate ECB: 1 SEK = 0.09648 EUR
ECB exchange rate for 100 SEK = 9.6748 EUR

Deviation rate without charges = (9.67989 EUR – 9.648 EUR)/9.648 EUR = 0.33%
Deviation rate with charges = (9.8492 EUR – 9.648 EUR)/9.648 EUR = 2.08%