An IBAN is a standardized account number that banks use to route money between countries
An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a string of letters and numbers — usually between 15 and 34 characters long — that identifies your specific bank account to foreign banks. It replaces the need to give out your bank's routing number and your account number separately when someone outside your country wants to send you money.
The IBAN format is standardized across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia and South America. If you have a bank account in one of these regions, your bank can provide your IBAN. If you bank in the United States, Canada, Australia, or several other countries, your bank may not issue an IBAN at all — those countries use different systems for international transfers.
The first two characters of an IBAN are your country code (GB for United Kingdom, DE for Germany, FR for France, and so on). The next two characters are check digits that help catch typos. The rest identifies your bank and your account within that bank's system.
Key Takeaways
- An IBAN is required by most banks outside the US, Canada, and Australia when you receive money from abroad.
- Your IBAN starts with your country code and includes check digits to prevent transfer errors.
- You can find your IBAN on your bank statement, through your bank's online portal, or by calling your bank directly.
- If your country does not use IBANs, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number instead.
- A wrong IBAN will cause a transfer to fail or be rejected by the receiving bank, so verify it character by character before sharing it.
How to find your IBAN
Your bank is the only source for your correct IBAN. Most banks print it on your bank statements or display it in your online banking portal under account details. Log into your account and look for a section labeled "Account Information," "My Accounts," or "IBAN."
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service line and ask for your IBAN. Have your account number and identification ready. Some banks will email it to you; others will read it aloud over the phone. Write it down carefully or copy it exactly — a single wrong character will cause the transfer to fail.
Do not guess or construct an IBAN yourself. Banks reject transfers with incorrect IBANs, and the money may be returned to the sender after a delay of several days or weeks.
Countries that use IBANs and those that do not
Most countries in Europe use IBANs. The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands all require them. So do countries in the Middle East and North Africa — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Tunisia, for example. Several Asian countries including Turkey and Israel use IBANs as well.
The United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan do not use IBANs. If you have a bank account in one of these countries and need to receive money from abroad, you will provide your bank's routing number (or sort code) and your account number instead. Some banks in these countries can generate an IBAN-like number for international transfers, but it is not standard and not always accepted.
If you are unsure whether your country uses IBANs, ask your bank. They will tell you what information you need to provide for incoming international transfers.
What happens when you give someone your IBAN
When you share your IBAN with someone who wants to send you money, they give it to their bank along with the amount and the date they want the transfer to happen. Their bank uses the IBAN to route the money through the international banking system to your bank. Your bank then deposits it into your account.
The process usually takes three to five business days, though it can take longer if the transfer crosses multiple time zones or if either bank is closed for a holiday. The sender's bank will charge a fee for the outgoing transfer; your bank may charge a fee for receiving it. Ask both banks about their fees before the transfer happens.
Once the money reaches your bank, it is yours. You can withdraw it, spend it, or transfer it elsewhere just like any other deposit.
Keeping your IBAN safe
Your IBAN is not secret in the way a password is. You have to share it with anyone who sends you money, and it appears on your bank statements. However, you should not post it publicly on social media or share it with people you do not trust.
Someone with your IBAN alone cannot withdraw money from your account or make charges against it. They can only send money to you. Your bank account number, routing number, and IBAN together are less sensitive than your online banking password or PIN.
If you believe your IBAN has been compromised or misused, contact your bank immediately. They can monitor your account for suspicious activity and issue you a new account number if necessary.
IBAN versus other international transfer methods
Some people and businesses use alternative methods to send money across borders instead of bank transfers. Wire transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram do not require an IBAN — they use a reference number or pickup location instead. Peer-to-peer payment apps like PayPal and Wise (formerly TransferWise) also have their own systems and may not ask for an IBAN.
However, for direct bank-to-bank transfers — which are usually cheaper and faster than wire services — an IBAN is the standard. If someone is sending you money through their bank account to yours, they will ask for your IBAN.
If you receive money from abroad regularly, ask the sender which method they prefer. If they are using their bank, provide your IBAN. If they are using a money transfer service, follow that service's instructions instead.
What to do if a transfer fails or is delayed
If money you were expecting does not arrive after five business days, contact your bank and ask them to trace the transfer. You will need the sender's name, the amount, and the date the transfer was supposed to happen. Your bank can check whether the money arrived but was rejected, or whether it is still in transit.
If the transfer was rejected because of an incorrect IBAN, the money will be returned to the sender's bank. The sender will have to correct the IBAN and send it again. This process can take one to three weeks.
If the transfer is stuck in the system, your bank may be able to contact the sending bank to locate it. Keep records of all communication with your bank about the transfer, including dates, times, and the names of the people you spoke with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my IBAN?
No. An IBAN alone does not allow someone to withdraw money or make charges. They can only send money to you. To access your account, someone would need your online banking password, PIN, or other authentication methods your bank uses.
Do I need an IBAN if I live outside my home country?
If you live in a country that uses IBANs and have a bank account there, you have an IBAN. If you live in a country that does not use IBANs (like the US or Canada), your bank will not issue one. You would provide your routing number and account number instead for incoming transfers.
What if the sender's bank says they cannot send money to an IBAN?
This is rare but can happen if the sender's bank is very old or operates in a country that does not use IBANs. Ask the sender to contact their bank about international transfer options. Some banks can send money using SWIFT codes instead, which is another international routing system. Your bank can provide your SWIFT code if needed.
Is my IBAN the same as my account number?
No. Your account number is just the number your bank uses to identify your account within their system. Your IBAN includes your country code, your bank's code, and your account number all together in a standardized format for international use.
Can I change my IBAN?
No. Your IBAN is tied to your specific bank account and cannot be changed. If you close the account, the IBAN becomes invalid. If you open a new account at the same bank, you will receive a new IBAN.