The basic process: Wise sends the money directly to your bank
When you transfer money from Wise to a bank account, Wise sends the funds directly to whichever bank account you tell them to use. You don't pick up the money from Wise and move it yourself — you give Wise your bank's details, and they handle the transfer on their end. The money arrives in your bank account, not in a Wise account that you then have to empty.
The time it takes depends on which country you're sending to and which country the money is coming from. Transfers within Europe often arrive the same day or next business day. Transfers to the United States typically take one to two business days. Other countries vary — some take three to five business days. Wise will show you the expected arrival time before you confirm the transfer.
You'll need your bank account number and routing number (in the US) or your IBAN and bank code (in Europe and many other countries). Your bank can give you these details, or you can usually find them in your online banking portal or on a recent statement.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Wise account, select "Send money", and choose your bank account as the destination instead of another Wise user.
- You will need your bank account number and routing number (US) or IBAN and bank code (other countries) to complete the transfer.
- Wise shows you the exact fee and arrival time before you confirm, so you know the cost and how long to expect the money to take.
- Once you confirm the transfer, Wise processes it on their end — you don't need to do anything else or contact your bank.
- If the transfer doesn't arrive within the timeframe Wise gave you, contact Wise support with your transfer reference number.
Step-by-step: How to set up the transfer
Open your Wise account and log in. On the home screen, look for a button that says "Send money" or "Make a transfer" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you're using the app or the website, but it's the main action button.
Select your destination. Wise will ask you where the money is going. Choose "Bank account" (not "Wise account" or "another Wise user"). Then select the country where your bank account is located. Wise will show you the exchange rate and fee for that route.
Enter your bank details. Wise will ask for your account number and routing number if you're in the US, or your IBAN and bank code if you're elsewhere. Double-check these details — a mistake here is the most common reason a transfer gets delayed or sent to the wrong place. If you're not sure where to find these numbers, your bank's customer service line can tell you in under a minute.
Confirm the amount and review the fee. Wise shows you how much will arrive in your bank account after their fee is taken out. The fee varies depending on the amount you're sending and the countries involved. Once you confirm, the transfer is locked in — you can't change the amount or destination after this point.
What happens after you confirm the transfer
Wise processes the transfer on their side. You don't need to do anything else. Your bank will receive the incoming transfer and deposit it into your account automatically — you don't need to "accept" it or take any action on your bank's end.
You can track the transfer in your Wise account. Wise shows you the status (processing, in transit, delivered) and usually sends you an email when the money arrives in your bank account. Keep the transfer reference number handy — if something goes wrong, you'll need it to contact Wise support.
The money will show up in your bank account under the name associated with your Wise account. If you've set up Wise under a business name, it may appear that way on your bank statement, so don't be confused if the sender name doesn't match a person's name you recognize.
Fees and exchange rates Wise charges
Wise charges a fee for bank transfers, and the amount depends on how much money you're sending and which countries are involved. The fee is usually between 0.5% and 2% of the amount you're transferring, though Wise shows you the exact fee before you confirm. There's no hidden charge that appears later — what Wise shows you is what you pay.
Wise also uses the real mid-market exchange rate if you're converting currency. This is the rate banks use with each other, not the marked-up rate you'd get from a traditional money transfer service. If you're sending money in the same currency (for example, US dollars to a US bank account), there's no exchange rate involved — just the flat fee.
Some banks charge their own fee to receive an incoming international transfer. This is separate from Wise's fee and depends on your bank, not on Wise. Ask your bank whether they charge for incoming transfers before you send the money, so you're not surprised by an extra charge on your end.
Common reasons a transfer gets delayed
The most frequent cause of delay is incorrect bank details. If your account number or routing number is wrong, the transfer bounces back to Wise, and you have to start over. This can add several days to the process. Always triple-check these numbers before you confirm.
Some banks take longer to process incoming transfers than others, especially if the transfer is coming from outside their country. A transfer that Wise sends in one day might take an extra day or two to clear on your bank's side. This is normal and not a problem — just wait the full timeframe Wise gave you before contacting support.
If your bank account is very new (less than a few days old), some banks flag incoming transfers for review before depositing them. This is a security measure and usually resolves within 24 hours, but it can make the transfer appear to take longer than expected.
Large transfers sometimes trigger extra checks on your bank's side, especially if the amount is unusual for your account. Your bank might contact you to confirm the transfer is legitimate. This is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong — just respond to your bank and the transfer will go through.
What to do if the money doesn't arrive on time
Wait until the timeframe Wise gave you has passed. If Wise said the money would arrive in two business days, wait two full business days before contacting anyone. Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer sent on Friday might not arrive until Tuesday.
Log into your Wise account and check the transfer status. Wise shows you whether the transfer is still processing, in transit, or delivered. If it says "delivered" but the money isn't in your bank account, contact your bank — the transfer reached them, but they haven't deposited it yet.
If Wise shows the transfer is still in transit after the expected timeframe, contact Wise support through the app or website. Have your transfer reference number ready. Wise can check on their end whether the transfer went through and help you figure out what happened.
If your bank received the transfer but it went to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready. They can sometimes retrieve the money if it went to another account at the same bank. If it went to a different bank, recovery is much harder and depends on that bank's policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Wise to a joint bank account?
Yes. Enter the account number and routing number (or IBAN and bank code) for the joint account just as you would for any other account. The money will be deposited into the joint account, and both account holders will have access to it.
What if I enter the wrong bank details and the transfer goes through?
Contact Wise support when ready with your transfer reference number. If the money went to another account at the same bank, Wise can sometimes retrieve it. If it went to a different bank or a completely wrong account, recovery is difficult and depends on that bank's willingness to help. This is why checking your details twice before confirming is so important.
Do I need to tell my bank I'm receiving a transfer from Wise?
No. Your bank will receive the transfer automatically and deposit it like any other incoming wire. You don't need to notify them in advance. If your bank flags the transfer for review, they'll contact you — but you don't need to do anything beforehand.
Can I set up a recurring transfer from Wise to my bank account?
Wise does not offer automatic recurring transfers to bank accounts. You have to initiate each transfer manually. If you need to send money regularly, you can set up the transfer each time, but there's no "set it and forget it" option.
Is there a maximum amount I can transfer from Wise to my bank account?
Wise doesn't publish a single maximum, but limits vary by country and account type. Your Wise account will show you the maximum for your specific situation when you enter the amount. If you're trying to send a very large amount, contact Wise support to ask about your options.