International transfers look simple on the screen: you enter an amount and a country. The real price is in two places, and only one of them is labelled as a fee.
Where the cost hides
- Fee
- Shown upfront
- Margin
- Hidden in the rate
- Receiving cost
- Taken at the end
A flat or percentage charge from the sender
The gap between the market rate and your rate
Intermediary or recipient bank charges
How to compare, step by step
Decide on the amount and currency
Agree what the recipient must receive, not what you send.
Get the full quote
Ask for the rate, the fee and the final amount delivered. Screenshot it.
Check the market rate
Compare the rate with a currency converter, and note the difference.
Look at speed and limits
Instant, same-day and multi-day options cost different amounts. Check daily limits too.
Confirm the provider is regulated
It should be licensed in the country where it operates, with clear complaint routes.
Choose the route
Your bank
Convenient and familiar, but often with a wide margin on foreign currency.
Specialist transfer service
Often shows a clear fee and a rate close to the market rate.
Card or cash withdrawal
Handy for small amounts, but check the foreign-fee and ATM costs.
Local rails
Within the euro area, SEPA payments are cheap and fast.
A good quote
- Shows the exact amount the recipient gets
- Uses a rate close to the market rate
- Explains who charges which fee
A poor quote
- Hides the margin behind "no fees"
- Only states the fee, not the rate
- Cannot tell you how long it will take
Common mistakes
Comparing only the fee. The exchange rate often costs more than the fee.
Sending without a test. For a first large transfer, send a small amount and wait for it to arrive.
Ignoring the receiving side. Intermediary banks can deduct charges, so ask whether the full amount arrives.
Forgetting limits and checks. Large transfers may trigger extra questions about the source of funds, so keep documents ready.
If you send money often, set up a regular route and compare it twice a year. A small saving on every transfer adds up, and a provider that stays clear about its rate and fees is worth keeping. For occasional, small amounts, simplicity may matter more than the last fraction of a percent.
Questions people ask
What is the mid-market rate?
It is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies, the figure you see on a currency converter. Providers usually add a margin to it, and that margin is part of what you pay.
Is the fastest transfer the best?
Not necessarily. Speed can cost more. If the money is not urgent, a slower option may be cheaper, as long as the provider is regulated and the route is clear.
Sources
Written from these pages and checked against them on October 5, 2026. Programs and rules change, so check the provider’s current terms before you decide.
General information, not financial, legal or travel advice. Your own card terms and the provider’s current rules always come first.