The 5 Best Ways to Send Money to Europe from the US
Are you looking at sending money to Europe soon? Your initial online search on how to do it will probably show a wide range of information, which can be confusing. It's our job at Exiap.com to make it easy for you to discover the cheapest, fastest and safest ways to send money to Europe from the United States.
When you send money domestically it's called a money transfer, but when you send money overseas to Europe it's called an international money transfer (IMT). Traditionally, you might have sent money through your bank. However, using your bank for IMT's can be very costly (about $30 per transaction, plus poor exchange rates and other hidden bank fees). It can also take a very long time (3-5 working days).
A cheaper, faster way to send money is to use a money transfer specialist company like TransferWise, OFX, WorldRemit, XE or Xoom. These companies transfer money through bank accounts within 2 working days, offer very good exchange rates, low transfer fees, and a wide range of payment options.
We look at money transfer services in detail to help you discover the fastest and cheapest option, an option with no transfer fees, the best company for sending cash in multiple European countries, better company for larger amounts and the best well known brand.
The 5 best money transfer companies to send money to Europe from the United States
TransferWise
If you prefer to transfer money online, TransferWise is the easiest and often the cheapest way to do it. It's incredibly simple to set up an account or make a transfer using their app. They also have the best rates, because they offer the same market rate you see on XE or Google and don't include any hidden costs in the total amount.
How much does it cost to send money to Europe from the USA?
Transfer Fee: 0.45% up to US$135,000 or 0.35% above US$135,000, plus a flat fee of US$1.07.
Exchange Rate: TransferWise gives you the best possible rate for currency transfer. They do not use a margin.
Additional Fees: Bank debit (ACH) is the cheapest; then bank wire transfer; followed by debit card and credit card.
How to transfer money with TransferWise?
- Create an online account, login and set up your first transfer.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details.
- Make local US payment to TransferWise, using a bank transfer, your debit or credit card.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in Euros (EUR) directly from TransferWise's local bank account within 0-1 business days.
Is TransferWise safe?
Yes they are. They are regulated by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) the United States. Their bank account is with Wells Fargo in the US. Click here to see our full review of TransferWise.
Best features:
- Quick online set-up
- Transparent fees and offer the best exchange rates online
- Easy to get a quote
- Simple cell phone app
Service details:
OFX
OFX is one of the oldest money transfer companies and have a good track record for security. Recently, OFX stopped charging a flat transfer fee to customers in the USA. They are a good option for online users who still want strong customer service over the phone.
How much does it cost to send money to Europe from the USA?
Transfer Fee: Free transfers for customers based in the United States.
Exchange Rate: OFX add a margin to the exchange rate when you convert your US dollars (USD) into euros (EUR).
Minimum Transfer Amount: US$150 for single transfer; US$250 for recurring transfers.
OFX has a currency exchange calculator, but it shows the interbank rate. This is the rate BEFORE they apply their margin. To get an accurate quote, you need to set up an account with OFX. Alternatively, use our exchange rate comparison engine. You'll see OFX's actual exchange rates and fees and comparison with other services.
How to transfer money with OFX?
- Create a free online account and login to get a live quote for your transfer.
- Enter your recipients details including the name on the bank account, bank account number, bank’s IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code.
- 'Finalize transaction' and pay using a bank transfer, bank wire or direct debit.
How long does it take?
Your recipient will get the money in euros (EUR) into their account within 1 business day.
Is OFX safe?
Yes they are. See our full review of OFX for more information.
Best features:
- Free money transfers
- Easy online set-up
- Great exchange rates and lock-in rate for large amounts
- 24/7 phone support
Service details:
WorldRemit
WorldRemit allows you to send USD to more than 20 countries within Europe. They also specialize in remittances and smaller transfers and are perfect for personal money transfers to Europe of up to US$10,000 from the US. Their rates are usually better than your local bank's and other companies like PayPal, Western Union or MoneyGram.
How much does it cost to send money to Europe from the USA?
Transfer Fee: US$3.99 per transaction.
Exchange Rate: WorldRemit add a margin to the foreign exchange rate. Click here to get an indicative exchange rate to send money to Europe from the USA.
Maximum transfer amount: US$10,000
How to transfer money with WorldRemit?
- Create an online account and login.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details.
- Make local US payment to WorldRemit, using a bank transfer, debit card, credit card, Poli, Interac or iDEAL.
How long does it take?
For a bank wire transfer they will get euros (EUR) in 0-2 business days.
Is WorldRemit safe?
Yes they are. Learn more about how trustworthy WorldRemit are.
Best features:
- Supports large number of countries with Europe
- Easy online platform and cell phone app
- Transparent costs with accurate calculator tool
- 24/7 customer support
Service details:
Currencies Direct
Currencies Direct are particularly good for larger transfers because they have personal account managers that are really helpful, particularly if it's your first time sending money to Europe. They also offer better exchange rates, the more you transfer.
It's important to know that they don't operate in every state. Currencies Direct cannot help you transfer money if you live in Arkansas, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington or West Virginia.
How much does it cost to transfer funds to Europe from the United States?
Transfer Fee: Free, but there can be hidden charges at the local bank.
Exchange Rate: The exchange rate you receive depends on the amount of your transfer. It is marginally above the mid market rate or the rate on google.
How to transfer money with Currencies Direct?
- Set up account online or over the phone.
- Tap in how much, where to and which currency.
- Pay Currencies Direct and they will transfer the funds to your recipients bank account.
How long does it take?
Allow 1-3 business days for international money transfers.
Is Currencies Direct safe?
Yes they are. They are registered with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are part of a global conglomerate of money transfer services that include TorFX and Foremost Currency Group.
Best features:
- Fee free transfers and minimum amounts for international money transfers
- Well known and trusted brand, scores 9.2/10 from Trustpilot
- Rate alert set up available
Service details:
For help, you can find their contact details here. In the USA, you can call +1 407 900 2174 or email usa@currenciesdirect.com
Xoom powered by PayPal
Xoom is convenient for international money transfers, but costly compared to other money transfer specialists. It provides cash pick ups in selected European countries like Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Portugal and Spain.
How much does it cost to send money to Europe from the USA?
Transfer Fee: Under $1,000 bank transfer is $4.99, but it's free above $1,000. For $1,000 debit or credit card costs over $30.
Exchange Rate: About a 2% margin is added to the foreign exchange rate when you convert your US dollars (USD) into euros (EUR).
Get a quote: Up to US$10,000 with 24 hrs with social security or passport number. Click here to find out the cost to transfer money to Europe with Xoom.
How to transfer money with Xoom?
- Sign up to an account and login.
- Tap in how much and where to. Enter your recipients details. Enter how you would like to pay. You can pay using your Paypal account.
- Recipient receives money in bank account or in cash available for pick up at agent location.
How long does it take?
It will take 1-2 business days.
Is Xoom (PayPal) safe?
Xoom is powered by PayPal and is safe. Paypal is one of the oldest online payment platforms. Learn more about PayPal's safety measures.
Best features:
- Cash pick up in selected European countries
- Safe, trustworthy, fully licensed and authorized company
- Regular status updates via text or emails
Service details:
Xoom help phone number: (877) 815-1531 (toll free) or +1 (415) 395-4225 from the US
FAQs
What is the mid market rate?
The mid market rate is the rate issued online, the banks use it as their interbank rate or market exchange rate. Money transfer companies can charge a fee or a margin on top of the mid market rate for their service. A bank will charge you a larger margin and an approximate fee of US$30 for an international money transfer.
Is there a fee-free option when sending money to Europe from the US?
Yes there are fee-free options with XE. However, you will pay an additional margin to the rate online, also known as the mid market rate.
Are there any minimum or maximum money transfer limits?
These vary depending on which online money transfer company you use.
For minimum transfer amounts, XE and TransferWise have no limits. OFX have a minimum of US$150 per single transaction.
For maximum transfer amounts, TransferWise has maximum limits of US$50,000 for personal accounts. Business accounts with TransferWise have a maximum limit of US$250,000 in unlicensed states and up to US$1,000,000 in licensed states.
OFX and XE have no maximum transfer amounts. Meanwhile, Xoom has a limit of US$50,000 over 24 hours if you have the required documents.
How do I keep my money online safe when I send it to Europe?
Safety is very important and all of the online companies above take their legal responsibilities very seriously. They take extreme measures to protect the sensitive data you provide them like your personal details and identification. However, it's still better to be safe than sorry. Here are some additional ways you can transfer funds safely:
- Double check privacy policies and tracking process for your money transfer provider
- Use a strong, long and unique password with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols when you set-up your account
- Ensure your money transfer service provides two-factor authentication, including SMS or email-based security code
Do all money transfer companies have a mobile phone app?
Yes. When you have an account with any of the online money transfer services highlighted above, you can make an international transfer through their website, or via their iOS Apple and Android apps. To find out which cell apps are easier to use read our article.
What other common countries or currencies can I send money to from the US?
The most common countries or currencies money is sent to from the US includes: Mexico (MXN), China (CNY), India (INR), Germany (EUR), France (EUR), South Korea (KRW), United Kingdom (GBP), Japan (JPY) and Italy (EUR) and Australia (AUD).
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General advice: The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own personal situation and requirements before making any financial decisions.