The fastest way is a bank transfer using Wise's account details

To send money to a Wise account from your bank, you need Wise's bank details for your country, which you can find in the Wise app or website under "Receive money". You then initiate a standard bank transfer (ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe, or your country's equivalent) from your bank's website or app, using those details as the recipient. The transfer arrives in your Wise account in one to three business days, depending on your bank and country.

Wise does not charge you to receive money this way—your bank may charge an outgoing wire fee, but Wise's side is free. The money lands in whichever currency your Wise account holds, so if you send USD to a USD Wise account, no conversion happens. If you send from a different currency, Wise converts it at its mid-market rate when the money arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Find Wise's bank details in the Wise app under "Receive money"—the account number and routing number (or IBAN and BIC for international transfers) are what you enter into your bank's system.
  • Use your bank's online banking or mobile app to set up a new payee with Wise's details, then send the amount you want to transfer.
  • The transfer takes one to three business days to arrive in your Wise account, depending on whether your bank processes it same-day and Wise's processing speed.
  • Your bank may charge an outgoing transfer fee, but Wise does not charge to receive the money; any currency conversion happens at Wise's mid-market rate when the funds arrive.
  • If you are sending from outside the US or Europe, check Wise's website for your country's specific bank details, as the account information varies by region.

How to find Wise's bank details for your transfer

Open the Wise app or log into Wise.com, then tap or click "Receive money" or "Get account details". Wise will show you a list of currencies and countries. Select the currency you want to receive in and the country where your bank is located. Wise then displays the bank account number, routing number (in the US), or IBAN and BIC code (for international transfers).

Write down or copy the full account details exactly as shown—banks are strict about accuracy. If you are sending from a US bank to a Wise USD account, you will see a US routing number and account number. If you are sending from Europe to a Wise EUR account, you will see an IBAN and BIC. Wise's details change depending on which currency and country you select, so always verify you are looking at the right set before you start the transfer at your bank.

Steps to initiate the transfer from your bank

Log into your bank's website or app and find the "Send money", "Pay someone", or "Transfer" section. Most banks let you add a new payee before you can send money to them. Enter Wise's name (usually "Wise" or the full legal name shown in the app), then paste in the account number and routing number (or IBAN and BIC). Double-check every digit—a single error will send the money to the wrong account or cause the transfer to fail and bounce back.

Once the payee is saved, select it and enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you any fees it charges for outgoing transfers (often $0 to $15 for domestic ACH, higher for international wire). Confirm the transfer, and your bank will process it. Most banks process transfers submitted before 2 p.m. on a business day the same day; transfers submitted after hours or on weekends are processed the next business day.

How long the money takes to arrive

A domestic transfer (US bank to Wise USD account, for example) usually arrives within one business day. International transfers take longer: SEPA transfers within Europe typically arrive in one to two business days, while transfers from outside Europe to Wise can take two to three business days. The timeline depends on both your bank's processing speed and Wise's receiving bank's speed.

You can track the transfer in your bank's app to see when it leaves your account. Once it arrives at Wise's bank, Wise deposits it into your Wise account—you will see a notification in the Wise app. If the transfer does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact your bank first to confirm it was sent; if your bank confirms it was sent, contact Wise support with the transfer reference number from your bank.

What happens if you send money in the wrong currency

If you send USD to a Wise account that holds EUR, Wise will convert the USD to EUR at its mid-market rate when the money arrives. You will see the converted amount in your Wise account. Wise does not charge a separate conversion fee for this—the conversion is built into the mid-market rate it uses. However, you will lose a small amount to the spread between the buy and sell rates, just as you would with any currency conversion.

To avoid unexpected conversion, check which currency your Wise account is set to receive in before you send the money. If you want to send USD and your Wise account only holds EUR, you can either create a second Wise account in USD or send the money anyway and accept the conversion. Wise lets you hold multiple currencies in one account, so you can add a USD balance to an existing account if needed.

Troubleshooting a transfer that did not arrive

If the money does not show up in your Wise account after three business days, start by checking your bank's transaction history to confirm the transfer was actually sent. Look for the transaction with Wise's account number and the amount you sent. If it shows as "pending" or "processing", wait another day or two—some banks take longer than expected.

If your bank shows the transfer was sent and Wise has not received it, contact Wise support through the app or website and provide the transfer reference number (also called a transaction ID or confirmation number) from your bank. Wise can trace the transfer through the banking system and tell you where it is. If the transfer bounced back to your bank because of an error in the account details, your bank will return the money to your account within a few business days, and you can try again with the correct details.

When to use a bank transfer versus other methods

A bank transfer is the cheapest way to send money to Wise if your bank does not charge a high outgoing fee. It is also the most reliable for larger amounts. If your bank charges $15 or more per transfer, you might save money by using a debit card to load money into Wise instead—Wise charges a small percentage (usually 1.5% to 2%) for debit card transfers, which can be cheaper than a high bank fee for amounts under $1,000.

Bank transfers are also slower than debit card transfers (which arrive in minutes), so if you need the money in your Wise account urgently, a debit card is faster. However, debit card transfers have daily limits (usually $2,000 to $5,000 depending on your card), while bank transfers have no daily limit. For large transfers or when speed is not critical, a bank transfer is usually the best choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to Wise from any bank?

Yes, as long as your bank allows outgoing transfers to external accounts. Most banks do, but some accounts (like certain student or basic accounts) may have restrictions. Contact your bank if you are unsure whether you can send money out. You can also try adding Wise as a payee—if your bank blocks it, you will find out immediately.

Do I need to verify my identity before sending money to Wise?

No, Wise does not verify you before receiving money. However, your bank may ask you to verify the payee the first time you send money to a new account, especially for international transfers. This is a security measure from your bank, not Wise. Follow your bank's verification steps (usually a code sent to your phone or email).

What if I send money to the wrong Wise account by mistake?

Contact Wise support immediately with the transfer details. Wise can sometimes recover the money if it has not been withdrawn yet, but recovery is not may provide. This is why it is critical to double-check Wise's account details before you send—a single digit wrong sends the money to a different account holder, and recovery becomes much harder.

Does Wise charge me to receive a bank transfer?

No, Wise does not charge you to receive money via bank transfer. Your bank may charge you an outgoing fee, but Wise's side is always free. If Wise needs to convert the currency, it uses its mid-market rate with a small spread, but there is no separate "receiving fee".

Can I set up a recurring transfer to Wise?

Yes, most banks let you schedule recurring transfers once you have added Wise as a payee. Set it up in your bank's app under "Scheduled transfers" or "Recurring payments", choose the amount and frequency (weekly, monthly, etc.), and your bank will send the money automatically on the date you choose.