Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
You can change your Nintendo Account country/region on Nintendo’s account website, but check the account’s balance and subscriptions first. Existing eShop funds do not transfer to the new region: Nintendo of America accounts must spend the balance to zero, while Nintendo’s Europe and Australia/New Zealand guidance allows a change with funds remaining if you agree to lose them.
How to change your Nintendo Account country or region
- Sign in to the Nintendo Account website.
- Open User Information.
- Under Profile, select Edit or Change. The wording can differ by region.
- Choose the new Country/region or Country/region of residence. Nintendo of America says that if you select Canada, you must also choose Quebec or Not Quebec.
- Save the change, read the notice, and agree to confirm it.
If the change is accepted, the Nintendo eShop on your Switch follows the account’s new country/region. Nintendo UK says the eShop for that region opens the next time you start the application after changing the account setting. See Nintendo UK’s country/region instructions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100 | Digital | Nintendo Switch | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51klpGvEKML._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$70 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41X4G-NILVL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$70 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $70.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What happens to your eShop balance
Your eShop balance does not move to the new region, convert to its currency, or remain available to spend there. The exact steps for changing regions with money left depend on the account’s current Nintendo service region.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11| Current account region | What Nintendo’s guidance says about a remaining balance |
|---|---|
| Nintendo of America | Spend the funds until the balance is $0 before changing the country/region. If you cannot use the remaining funds, Nintendo Australia’s guidance directs American-region account holders to Nintendo of America Customer Support. Nintendo of America’s instructions; Nintendo Australia’s guidance. |
| Europe / Nintendo of Europe | Nintendo UK says you can change the country/region while funds remain, but you must accept losing the balance in the confirmation prompt. Nintendo UK’s balance guidance. |
| Australia and New Zealand | Nintendo Australia says you can change the country/region with funds remaining after agreeing to lose the balance. Nintendo Australia’s guidance. |
These instructions do not establish a rule for every Nintendo market. If your account is set to a region not listed here, consult that region’s current Nintendo support page and follow the confirmation notice shown when you try to change the setting.
#1 Best Overall
- eCash - Nintendo eShop Gift Card $100
What can block a region change
If Nintendo will not let you save the new country/region, check for these account conditions before trying again:
- Remaining eShop funds: This blocks a change for Nintendo of America accounts until the balance reaches zero. Other regional loss flows may require accepting forfeiture.
- Active automatic renewals: Nintendo of America identifies active renewals for memberships, passes, or subscriptions as a possible blocker. Nintendo UK specifically lists Nintendo Switch Online, Pokémon HOME Premium, and in-game passes among the renewals to cancel.
- An unavailable digital pre-order: Nintendo’s regional instructions say an outstanding downloadable pre-order that is not yet available can prevent the change. Nintendo UK advises cancelling an outstanding pre-order.
Review the region-specific steps from Nintendo of America or Nintendo UK, as applicable to your account.
Rank #2
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
How child and supervised accounts are affected
A child or supervised account may not be able to change its country/region on its own. Nintendo’s regional instructions say that changing the family group administrator’s country can update related child accounts automatically. Age thresholds and extra confirmation requirements vary by region; Nintendo of America notes additional confirmation steps for some child accounts when a family group changes to the United States or Quebec. Check the instructions for the account’s region before changing settings for a family group.
Why a prepaid card will not transfer an old balance
Nintendo manages eShop balance by Nintendo Account: funds cannot be combined across accounts or spent from a different account, and Japan’s Nintendo guidance says added balance cannot be refunded. Nintendo Japan also warns that prepaid and download codes sold for Japan may require the account’s country/region to be Japan. A region-specific card therefore adds funds only where the code is compatible; it does not move an existing balance to another region. See Nintendo Japan’s guidance on prepaid and download codes and account balance.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Rank #3
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
