The basic process: Wise sends the money, your bank receives it
To transfer money from Wise to your bank account, you initiate a withdrawal from the Wise app or website, select the bank account you want the money to go to, and Wise sends it. The money arrives in your bank account as a regular bank transfer — your bank processes it like any other incoming payment. The whole thing usually takes one to three business days, depending on which country you're in and which bank you're sending to.
Wise doesn't hold your money permanently. It's designed as a way to move money between currencies and countries cheaply, so most people either spend it directly from the Wise card or move it out to a regular bank account. The transfer itself is free if you're moving money in the same currency as your Wise balance — if you're converting currency at the same time, Wise charges its standard exchange rate markup, which is lower than most banks but not zero.
Key Takeaways
- Wise transfers to your bank account are free when you move money in the same currency, but cost Wise's exchange rate markup if you're converting currency.
- You need to add your bank account as a recipient in Wise first, and Wise will verify it by sending a small test deposit before you can transfer larger amounts.
- Most transfers arrive within one to three business days, though some banks take longer and weekends don't count as business days.
- Wise will show you the exact amount your bank account will receive before you confirm the transfer, including any fees or currency conversion costs.
Adding your bank account to Wise so you can transfer to it
Before you can move money out, you have to tell Wise which bank account to send it to. Open the Wise app or website, go to the Transfers section, and select "Send money to your bank account" or "Withdraw". Wise will ask you to enter your bank details — your account number, routing number (in the US), or IBAN (in Europe and many other countries), depending on where your bank is.
The first time you add a bank account, Wise verifies it by sending a tiny deposit (usually under a dollar) to that account. Your bank will show this deposit in your account within a few days. You then go back into Wise, confirm the amount of that test deposit, and Wise marks the account as verified. After that, you can transfer to it freely. This verification step protects both you and Wise — it confirms the account is real and that you actually own it.
If you're in the US, you can also use Wise's when ready verification through Plaid, which connects to your bank directly and confirms your account without waiting for the test deposit. Not all US banks support this, but if yours does, Wise will offer it as an option.
How much it costs to transfer to your bank account
Transferring money from Wise to your bank account in the same currency costs nothing. If you have US dollars in Wise and you're sending to a US bank account, there's no fee. If you have euros in Wise and you're sending to a European bank account, there's no fee.
If you're converting currency — for example, you have GBP in Wise but your bank account is in USD — Wise charges its exchange rate markup. This is typically 0.5% to 1.5% depending on the currency pair, which is much lower than what a traditional bank charges, but it's not free. Wise shows you the exact rate and the exact amount your bank will receive before you confirm, so you'll know the cost upfront.
Your own bank may charge you a fee for receiving an international transfer, depending on your bank and the country the money is coming from. This is separate from Wise's cost. Check with your bank if you're unsure — some banks charge for incoming international transfers and some don't.
How long it takes for the money to arrive
Most transfers from Wise to a bank account in the same country arrive within one business day. If you're sending money internationally — from Wise in one country to a bank in another — it usually takes one to three business days. Weekends and public holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you send on Friday evening might not arrive until Tuesday.
The exact timing depends on your bank and the banking system in your country. US banks tend to be faster than European banks for receiving transfers. Some banks process incoming transfers in real time; others batch them and process them once a day. Wise can't control this part — once the money leaves Wise, it's in your bank's hands.
Wise shows you an estimated arrival date when you initiate the transfer. If the money doesn't arrive by that date, contact Wise support with your transfer reference number. They can check whether the transfer was sent successfully and, if it was, ask your bank to investigate why it hasn't shown up yet.
What information Wise needs from you to send the transfer
For a US bank account, Wise needs your account number and routing number. For a European account, Wise needs your IBAN and BIC code (though the BIC is sometimes optional). For other countries, the requirements vary — Wise will tell you exactly what it needs when you enter your country and bank.
You also need to specify the amount you want to transfer and confirm which currency it's in. If you're converting currency, Wise calculates the amount your bank will receive and shows it to you. Double-check this number before you confirm — once the transfer is sent, you can't change the amount.
Make sure the name on your Wise account matches the name on your bank account. Banks are strict about this for security reasons. If the names don't match exactly, your bank may reject the transfer or hold it for review, which delays it by several days.
Transferring from Wise to a bank account in a different country
Wise is designed to make international transfers cheaper and faster than traditional banks, so sending money to a bank account in a different country is one of its main uses. The process is the same — you add the bank account, verify it, and initiate the transfer — but the cost and timing are different.
International transfers cost Wise's exchange rate markup if you're converting currency, plus potentially a small fee depending on the destination country. Some countries charge a flat fee (usually a few dollars) for receiving international transfers; Wise will show you this before you confirm. The money usually arrives in one to three business days, though some countries' banking systems are slower.
If you're sending to a country with currency controls or banking restrictions, the transfer may be delayed or rejected. Wise will tell you if there's a problem before you send the money. If your destination country requires additional information — like the purpose of the transfer — Wise will ask for it.
What to do if your transfer doesn't arrive or goes to the wrong account
If the money doesn't arrive by the estimated date, open the Wise app, find the transfer in your history, and check its status. Wise shows whether the transfer was sent successfully, is pending, or failed. If it was sent successfully but hasn't arrived at your bank, contact Wise support with your transfer reference number and the date you sent it. Wise can confirm the transfer was sent and ask your bank to investigate.
If you entered the wrong bank account details and the transfer was already sent, contact Wise when ready. Wise can sometimes recall the transfer if it hasn't been processed yet, but once your bank has received it, Wise can't get it back — you'll have to contact the bank that received it and ask them to return the money. This is why it's important to double-check your bank details before you confirm.
If your bank rejects the transfer because the name doesn't match or for another reason, Wise will usually send the money back to your Wise account automatically. Check your Wise transaction history to see if it's been refunded. If it hasn't appeared after a week, contact Wise support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer from Wise to any bank account, or only to my own?
You can transfer to any bank account, not just your own. However, Wise requires you to verify the account first by confirming a small test deposit. This is a security measure to prevent fraud. Once verified, you can transfer to that account as many times as you want.
What's the difference between a Wise transfer and a wire transfer?
A Wise transfer is a regular bank transfer that goes through the standard banking system. A wire transfer is a faster, more expensive method that some banks offer. Wise transfers are cheaper and usually fast enough for most purposes, but if you need money to arrive the same day, a wire transfer might be necessary — though Wise doesn't offer wire transfers itself.
Do I have to convert my money to the bank account's currency before transferring?
No. You can transfer in any currency Wise holds, and if it doesn't match your bank account's currency, Wise will convert it at the time of transfer. You'll pay Wise's exchange rate markup for the conversion. Alternatively, you can convert the money in Wise first, then transfer it in the bank account's currency with no additional fee.
Can I set up automatic transfers from Wise to my bank account?
Wise doesn't offer automatic recurring transfers. You have to initiate each transfer manually through the app or website. If you want to move money regularly, you can set a reminder to do it, but there's no way to schedule it in advance.
What happens if my bank account is closed after I've verified it in Wise?
If you try to transfer to a closed account, your bank will reject the transfer and send the money back to Wise. The refund usually arrives in your Wise account within a few days. You'll need to add a new bank account and verify it before you can transfer again.