Are international roaming and Nubank the same?
No. Roaming is the cell signal you use outside your country to get internet and make calls; Nubank is the digital bank you use to pay while traveling. They are two distinct services: one connects you, the other allows you to spend. Confusing them leads to many last-minute doubts before a flight.
It's a very common confusion, and it makes sense: both appear at the same moment of the trip, phone in hand, at an airport or on a street in an unfamiliar city. But one lives on your phone's SIM card (or its digital version, the eSIM) and the other lives in your banking app. You can have Nubank without active roaming, and you can have data working without it having anything to do with your card.
Roaming is the signal your phone picks up when you leave your country; your Nubank balance is the money you spend with that signal on. One connects you, the other charges you: much of the travel confusion starts by mixing both.
Before continuing, it's worth separating the two questions you're actually asking when you search for "international roaming Nubank": Will my card work there? and Will I have internet to use it? The first depends on your bank. The second depends on your mobile carrier or a data eSIM, which is exactly what the rest of this guide is about.
How to use Nubank abroad?
To use Nubank abroad, the first step is to have the app installed and working before leaving your country, with your physical or virtual card active. Then, at your destination, the card is used the same way as at home: it is swiped, inserted, or tapped at the point of sale, and purchases appear in the app almost immediately if you have an internet connection.
That last point is often overlooked: the Nubank app needs mobile data or Wi-Fi to show you transactions, confirm a transaction, or allow you to approve a login from a new device. If you arrive in a country and your phone has no signal, the physical card may still work in many businesses (because validation occurs on the point-of-sale network, not on your phone), but any action within the app — checking balance, blocking the card, approving a payment that requires verification — will wait until you have internet again.
Therefore, before a trip, it's advisable to resolve two things separately: confirm in the Nubank app itself that the card is ready for the country you're going to, and make sure you have mobile data available as soon as you get off the plane, so you can use that card with peace of mind from the very first moment.
Can I use my Nubank card for international purchases?
In general, Nubank cards work at international merchants because they operate on global payment networks (Visa or Mastercard, depending on the product), which is the same network used by most bank cards worldwide. However, the exact conditions —limits, exchange rate applied, whether anything needs to be activated before traveling— depend on your country of origin and the specific product you have, so the safest thing is to confirm it directly in your app before you leave, in the card settings section.
This table summarizes what need each thing covers, so you don't mix them up when planning your trip:
| Travel need | Resolved by your card or digital bank | Resolved by a data eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Paying in stores, restaurants, or transportation | Yes | No |
| Viewing balance or transactions in real time | Only with active internet | Yes, it provides the connection |
| Receiving a verification code (OTP) via SMS or notification | Depends on your line/number, not the app | Yes, if you maintain active data or signal |
| Withdrawing cash from an ATM | Yes | No |
| Using maps, translating a menu, or requesting a ride via app | No | Yes |
| Blocking the card instantly if lost | Only with active internet | Yes, it provides the connection |
The conclusion of this table is simple: your card pays, but it needs you to have mobile data working so you can manage it from your phone. They are two pieces of the same trip, not just one.
Is Nubank an international bank?
Nubank operates as a separate entity in each country where it is present —Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, among others—, not as a single account that automatically follows you to any destination in the world. That is to say: your account and card are from your country of origin, and what changes when you travel is that this card, being on a global payment network, can be used outside your borders just like any international bank card.
This distinction matters because it is sometimes assumed that "international" means that the bank has local offices or support in the country you visit, and that is not necessarily the case. What does travel with you is the card and the app; what does not travel is a physical Nubank branch waiting for you at the airport. For any questions about conditions, limits, or fees applicable to your card in a specific country, the correct source is always the Nubank app or its official help center, reviewed before each trip because conditions can change.
How does Nubank work in Colombia when you travel?
If your Nubank account is from Colombia, it operates under the conditions defined by Nu Colombia for that card, which is the entity that issued it and is responsible for defining them. When traveling outside Colombia, the card continues to work for the same reason as in any other country: it runs on an international payment network. What changes is that the conditions —exchange rate, usage limits abroad, any prior notice that should be given— are those set by Nu Colombia for your specific product.
The practical recommendation is the same for any country of origin: open the app before you travel, check the card section, and confirm that no additional steps are needed to use it at your destination. This check takes a couple of minutes and avoids surprises on the first day of the trip, when you are usually more concerned with the hotel, luggage, and internet connection than with the bank's fine print.
What is data roaming and why can it be expensive?
Data roaming occurs when your cell phone, with your usual SIM card, connects to a foreign cellular network because your carrier has an agreement with a local carrier in that country. Technically, it's convenient: you don't change anything, your number remains the same, and your phone connects automatically as soon as you land. The historical problem is the cost: because it depends on an agreement between two different carriers, the price of that roaming is defined by your home carrier, and it is usually higher than contracting data locally or with a specialized travel provider.
Before a trip, many carriers offer "roaming packages" for days or gigabytes, which must be activated manually from the carrier's app or by calling customer service. If you forget, roaming can remain active by default and bill you for usage, sometimes with rates that are only known by reading the fine print of the contract. This is exactly the kind of surprise an informed traveler wants to avoid, and it is also why alternatives specifically designed for travel, such as data eSIMs, exist.
What is an eSIM and how does it differ from roaming?
An eSIM is a digital chip that is already integrated into most modern cell phones and is activated with a code or a link instead of a physical card that needs to be inserted. Instead of relying on your home carrier's roaming agreement, you buy a data plan designed for the country or region you will be in, activate it before or upon arrival, and your cell phone connects to a local network at that destination using that plan.
The practical difference from traditional roaming is predictability: you know exactly how much data you have, which country or region it is valid for, and until when you can activate it, instead of relying on a rate set by a third party (your home carrier) based on an agreement you do not control. With PuraSIM, for example, the eSIM is activated in approximately 1 minute, and you have 180 days from the purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance and use it when you actually start your trip.
An important clarification: the eSIM does not replace your main SIM card; it complements it. Most current cell phones allow you to have two active lines at the same time —your usual number and the travel data eSIM—, each doing its part.
A real trip: Nubank and mobile data working together
Imagine Camila, who lives in Bogotá and is traveling for the first time to Mexico City for a long weekend. She has her Nubank card ready, checked in the app that she can use it outside Colombia, and bought a data eSIM for Mexico before leaving, taking advantage of being able to activate it anytime within 180 days of purchase.
As soon as she lands, she activates the eSIM from the same phone, in the time it takes to get off the plane and go through immigration. With data working, she orders a ride to the hotel from an app, checks in Nubank that the taxi payment was correctly deducted, and that same night compares restaurant prices without relying on the hotel's Wi-Fi. Her usual Colombian SIM card remains active on the phone's second line, so if Nubank sends her a verification code via SMS to her Colombian number, she continues to receive it normally, without having to do anything special.
This detail about the always-active number is more important than it seems: many digital banks, Nubank included, use the registered cell phone number to send verification codes or security alerts. If, when traveling, you completely replace your main line with a 100% local solution, you run the risk of no longer receiving those messages precisely when you need them most. Keeping your original SIM card active for calls and SMS, with a separate eSIM just for data, avoids this problem without you having to think twice.
If something doesn't go as expected—a payment that doesn't go through, a question about the exchange rate, a connection problem—Camila knows she can write via WhatsApp or email to PuraSIM support, available 24/7 in all languages, while any questions about the payment itself are resolved directly with Nubank.
Carrier roaming, eSIM or public Wi-Fi: which is best?
There isn't one single right answer for all trips, but there are clear criteria for deciding. This table compares the three most common options for having internet abroad:
| Option | Cost | Requires pre-travel paperwork | Availability | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home carrier roaming | Variable, usually the most expensive option | Yes, activate the package with your carrier | Depends on the agreement between carriers | Those who don't want to change anything and are not concerned about cost |
| Destination data eSIM | Known in advance, fixed plan | Purchased and activated before or upon arrival, in minutes | Local network coverage of the country or region | Those who want predictability and to keep their usual number for calls and SMS |
| Public Wi-Fi (hotel, cafe, airport) | Free, but with variable quality and security | No, but depends on having access to the location | Only within the range of the Wi-Fi hotspot | A temporary supplement, not as the sole connection for the trip |
In practice, the most common combination among frequent travelers is: data eSIM as the main connection for internet on the go, the usual SIM card active only for calls and SMS codes, and hotel Wi-Fi as a free complement when available.
What phone do you need and how do you install an eSIM?
Most mid-range and high-end cell phones released in recent years support eSIMs, but not all, and the exact list changes depending on the brand and model. Before buying an eSIM, it's advisable to confirm that your cell phone is compatible; you can check the complete details in the eSIM compatible phones guide.
The installation itself is a guided process: you scan a QR code or tap an activation link, the phone downloads the eSIM profile, and in a few minutes, it appears as another line within the phone's network settings, ready to use as soon as you arrive at your destination or even before, depending on how you configure it. The complete step-by-step is in the eSIM installation guide, especially useful the first time you do it.
If you have never used one and want to understand the concept from scratch, before installing anything, it may be helpful to read what an eSIM is and also how it differs from a traditional physical SIM, because not all travelers start from the same knowledge point.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove my Nubank card from my phone if I buy a data eSIM?
No. The eSIM is a data line independent of your digital bank; it does not interact with the Nubank app or the card saved on your phone. It only adds an internet connection, which is what the app needs to function properly abroad.
Does the eSIM replace my Nubank card on the trip?
No, they are different things. The eSIM gives you mobile data to browse and use apps; the Nubank card is what you use to pay. You need both working for a comfortable trip: one without the other leaves part of the problem unsolved.
Do I still receive Nubank verification codes if I only use eSIM data?
It depends on how that code arrives. If Nubank notifies you via an in-app notification, you only need active data, and the eSIM provides it. If it sends it via SMS to your usual number, you need to keep that original SIM active in your phone along with the eSIM, which most modern phones allow you to do simultaneously.
Can I use Nubank and browse with the same eSIM connection?
Yes. Once the eSIM is active, the entire phone uses that data connection, including the Nubank app, browser, maps, or any other application that needs internet.
What if my phone doesn't have an eSIM?
If your model is not compatible, the eSIM is not an option for that trip and you would have to consider other alternatives, such as your carrier's roaming or a local physical SIM. Checking compatibility before buying avoids this problem; you can verify it in the guide of eSIM compatible phones.
How long does it take to activate the eSIM before a trip?
Activation takes approximately 1 minute once you decide to do it, and you can buy it in advance: you have 180 days from purchase to activate it, so there's no need to wait until the last day before your flight.
Does the eSIM work in several countries on the same trip?
There are plans designed for a single country and others for regions with multiple destinations, depending on the itinerary. Before buying, it's advisable to check what coverage the specific plan you are about to choose includes in the international eSIM collection.
Do I have to notify Nubank that I'm traveling?
Each bank handles this differently, and conditions can change over time. The most reliable way is to check directly in the Nubank app before you leave, in the card section, to confirm if any prior notice or adjustment is needed for your specific product.
In summary
"International roaming" and "Nubank" solve two distinct needs for the same trip: one gives you internet, the other allows you to pay. Confirming your card's conditions directly in the Nubank app is the first step; resolving your internet connection with something more predictable than your carrier's traditional roaming is the second. As we saw throughout this guide, a data eSIM gives you that predictability—you know how much you have and until when you can activate it—without forcing you to give up your usual number for calls and verification codes.
If you already know your next destination, you can check the available plans in the international eSIM collection, with coverage in over 200 destinations and 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp for any questions before or during your trip. And if it's your first time using an eSIM, it's best to start with the basics in the definitive guide to eSIM for travel, which summarizes step-by-step everything you need before buying.
