Personal Finance Money transfer

How to make a payment to an international bank account

Emma-Jane Stogdon

22.05.25

Read time 2 minutes

Need to send money abroad? You might be booking a hotel, paying a bill for an overseas property or sending money to a relative abroad.

You might even be sending money to yourself if you mainly live in the UK but have a bank account in another country. This can be a handy way of ensuring you have access to funds and can spend in the local currency when you spend time abroad.

Below, we’ll run through how to make a payment to an international bank account in just a few easy steps.

This includes the details you’ll need, how long it takes and a convenient way to do it using solutions like Wise.

What information will I need to make an international bank payment?

Let’s start with what details you’ll need to send a payment to an international bank account. This may be a recipient like a friend, family member or a company, or it might be the details of your own bank account.

Here’s what to have ready:¹

The recipient’s name (or the company name) and address
Their account number, routing number (US), BSB code (Australia) or International Bank Account Number (IBAN)
The name and address of the recipient’s bank
The bank’s SWIFT/BIC (Bank Identifier Code).

Whether you need an IBAN, SWIFT or BIC code may depend on the destination.

For example, IBANs are commonly used within Europe, but not in countries like the US where you’ll need to provide a combination of routing number and SWIFT/BIC for the recipient’s bank and account.

How to make a payment to an international bank account - step-by-step

Here’s how to set up an international bank transfer in a few easy steps:

Login to your online/mobile banking app or platform
Set up a new payment - most banks or providers will have an option to ‘make an international payment’ or similar
Select the account you want to pay from
Follow the on-screen instructions, entering the recipient’s details, amount you’d like to send and currency
Check the details carefully and confirm.

You may also be able to make international bank transfers over the phone or in person at a branch, depending on your bank.

How long do international bank payments take?

International bank-to-bank payments are sent through the SWIFT network.

This means your money doesn’t go directly to the receiving bank - instead, it may pass through a network of ‘correspondent’ banks. This can slow things down, and there’s also a chance that each of these banks will charge their own fee.

On average, SWIFT payments take around 1-5 working days to arrive.²

Ways to send money to an international bank account

You’ll have a couple of options when it comes to sending money to a bank account in another country.

You can of course use your own bank, as long as it allows international payments. Make sure you check the fees before you spend, as banks tend to have high transfer fees for sending money abroad.

Another option is to use a specialist online money transfer service like Wise, which could be a quicker and cheaper option compared to using a bank.

You can set everything up online, see the fee and exchange rate before you send, and track your transfer too.

Use Wise for easy, quick and secure international payments

Alternatives like Wise offer a fast, convenient and cost-effective way to send money to a bank account overseas - whether your own or someone else’s.

You’ll see exactly what it costs upfront, including the exchange rate and delivery time. And you can track your payment as it makes its way across the world.

There’s even a dedicated secure service for making large payments, ideal if you’re buying a property overseas or planning a wedding or other celebration abroad. Learn more below, email the large transfer team or request a call back.

Send large amounts💰

Your Wise account also lets you hold and convert between 40+ currencies, and receive money for free in 8+ currencies.

Plus, you can get a Wise card for a one-time fee of £7, so you can spend locally when you travel abroad.

Sources used for this article:

1. Nationwide - How to send and receive international payments
2. GoCardless - How long do international bank transfers take?

Sources checked on 22-May-2025

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.