Do you want to send money to someone abroad – for example, to a family member or to pay a bill in another European country? This is called an international transfer. Within Europe, this runs through a system called SEPA (which stands for "Single Euro Payments Area" – a shared payment system used by many European countries). This might sound complicated. It is not. You simply need a few extra details compared to a transfer within your own country. Just follow the steps one at a time. You cannot break anything – if you make a typing mistake, you can always correct it before you confirm the transfer for good.
What you need beforehand
Ask the person who will receive the money to send you three things in advance: their full name, their IBAN (a long combination of letters and numbers that uniquely identifies an account worldwide – similar to an account number) and the BIC (also called a SWIFT code – a shorter combination of letters and numbers that identifies the recipient's bank, a bit like a postal code for banks). Keep these details handy, for example written on a piece of paper next to you.
How to make the transfer
- Open your bank's app on your smartphone. This is the small icon with your bank's logo that you normally tap to open it.
- Log in – using your fingerprint, your face, or your PIN (your personal secret number).
- Look on the main screen for the word "Transfer" or an icon showing two arrows or a paper airplane.
- Tap this icon or word.
- Look for an option called "International transfer" or "SEPA transfer abroad." Some apps show this as its own menu item, others as a switch or a checkbox you need to turn on separately. If you cannot find it right away, take your time and keep looking – it is usually near the regular transfer option.
- Tap this option.
- Enter the recipient's full name in the field provided for it.
- Enter the recipient's address, if the app asks for it. Not every bank requires this, but some do.
- Enter the recipient's IBAN in the field labeled for it.
- Enter the recipient's BIC/SWIFT code in the corresponding field.
- Select the currency you want to send the money in – for example euros, US dollars, or another currency, depending on where the money is going.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer.
- In the "Reference" or "Payment purpose" field, write a short note about what the money is for – for example "Birthday gift" or "May rent." This is simply a short message that will be shown to the recipient.
- Read through the fees the app shows you before sending. International transfers often come with higher fees than transfers within your own country.
- Check the exchange rate shown, if you are sending money in a different currency. This is the number that shows how much one currency is worth compared to another.
- Look at the estimated arrival date the app displays. International transfers usually take longer than domestic transfers – often one to two business days, sometimes more.
- Tap "Continue" to reach the summary screen.
- On the summary screen, calmly read through all the details again – name, IBAN, BIC, amount, and currency.
- Tap "Confirm" or "Send transfer" once everything looks correct.
- Enter the confirmation code you now receive. This code is often called a one-time code (a unique number that is valid only for this one transfer). You usually get it by text message on your phone, or it is shown directly in a second app.
- Wait for the confirmation in the app that the transfer has been successfully started.
Important to know: Your bank will never call you out of the blue and ask for this confirmation code. If someone on the phone claims to be "from the bank" and asks you for the code, hang up immediately. This is a scam. Afterward, call your bank back using the phone number printed on the back of your bank card, just to be sure.
What to do if something goes wrong
Did you enter the wrong IBAN or BIC? Call your bank's helpline right away – you will find the number on your bank card or in the app under "Help" or "Contact." The sooner you report it, the better the chance the transfer can still be stopped or recovered.
The confirmation code is not arriving? First check whether your phone has signal. Wait one or two minutes. If nothing arrives, cancel the process and call your bank's helpline. Never give this code to anyone who calls you on the phone – even if that person sounds very convincing.
Is the transfer taking too long? This is normal for international transfers, especially when a currency other than euros is involved. One to two business days is typical, though it can sometimes take longer. If more than three to four business days have passed since you sent it, contact your bank's helpline and ask about the status.