How to Make an Instant Transfer in Your Banking App

Do you want to send money instantly, so it arrives with the recipient within seconds? That is exactly what an instant transfer is for - sometimes also called a "real-time transfer" or "Instant Payment." Unlike a regular transfer, which often only arrives the next business day, the money here is there almost right away. This sounds more technical than it is. This guide shows you, step by step, how to make an instant transfer in your banking app. You cannot break anything by trying this - if a step looks unfamiliar, just slow down and compare it with the descriptions below.

How an instant transfer works

A banking app is the program on your smartphone that lets you manage your account - you can usually recognize it by your bank's logo on your home screen. Open it before you begin.

1. Open your banking app by tapping the icon (the small picture) with your bank's logo.
2. Log in the way you normally do - for example with your PIN (a secret number code) or your fingerprint.
3. Tap the menu item labeled "Transfer" or "Send Money" in the app - usually shown with an icon of two arrows.
4. Select "New Transfer" to start a new payment.
5. Type in the name of the person or company who should receive the money.
6. Type in the account number (often called an IBAN) - this is the recipient's long account number. You can usually find it on a bill, or the person can tell it to you directly.
7. Enter the amount you want to send.
8. Look for the option labeled "Instant Transfer," "Real-Time Transfer," or "Instant Payment" - usually a switch shown right under the amount. Select this option instead of the regular transfer.
9. Check whether an extra fee is shown - some banks charge a small fee for sending money instantly, others offer it for free. The app will show you this before you confirm.
10. Take a moment to double-check the name, account number, and amount on the summary screen.
11. Tap "Next" or "Confirm" to move to the final step.
12. Authorize the transfer - this means confirming, with one extra step, that it is really you making the payment. This is usually done with a one-time code (sent by text message or shown in a separate security app), your PIN, or your fingerprint.
13. Wait for the app to show a confirmation, usually a green checkmark and the word "successful."
14. Open your account statement or transaction history in the app afterward to see that the amount has been deducted. With a genuine instant transfer, the money normally reaches the recipient within seconds.

An important safety note

In step 12 you enter a one-time code or confirm with your fingerprint. Never read this code out loud over the phone - not even if someone calls claiming to be from your bank. Your bank will never call you and ask for a one-time code or your PIN. A common scam call sounds like this: "This is your bank, we need to cancel a suspicious payment - please read me the code that just arrived on your phone." This is always a scam. If this happens, hang up immediately and call your bank back using the phone number printed on your bank card - never a number the caller gives you.

What to do if something goes wrong

• I can't find the "Instant Transfer" option: Not every bank offers it, and not every account is automatically enabled for it. Check your account settings or contact your bank's customer service. If your bank does not offer this feature at all, you can find an overview of accounts that do at /en/personal-accounts.
• The option is greyed out and won't respond to a tap: This can mean the amount is over a set limit, or that instant transfers are not enabled for your account. Contact your bank - you haven't done anything wrong.
• There's a fee I don't want to pay: You can cancel the process at any point before you confirm, and choose a regular, free transfer instead.
• The money didn't arrive instantly, even though I chose "Instant Transfer": In rare cases it can still take a little longer, for example if the recipient's bank has a technical problem. Wait a few minutes and check again. If the money still hasn't arrived after an hour, contact your bank's customer service.
• I typed the account number wrong: Contact your bank as soon as possible. With an instant transfer, the money moves very fast, so it's especially worth double-checking what you typed before you confirm.

Quick recap

These steps apply to most banking apps. If a screen looks a little different on yours, that's not a problem - the terms and the order are similar almost everywhere.