Best Ways to Send Money from the Netherlands in 2026

💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.

The Single Most Important Thing to Know

Before comparing any services, you need to understand one thing: the exchange rate markup is the hidden fee that nobody advertises, and it is almost always larger than the visible fee.

Here is how it works. When you send money from euros to British pounds (or dollars, or dirhams), the service has to convert your money. The quoted exchange rate — the rate banks use between themselves — is called the mid-market rate. You can see it on Google, XE.com, or any financial data source.

Most banks and some transfer services do not give you that rate. They give you a worse rate and keep the difference. A bank might advertise “send money abroad for only EUR 15” while quietly applying a 2% exchange rate markup. On EUR 1,000, that markup costs you EUR 20. On EUR 5,000, it costs EUR 100. The total cost is EUR 115, not EUR 15.

The services that are genuinely cheap (Wise, Revolut) charge you the mid-market rate and add a visible, percentage-based fee. The services that appear cheap or free (traditional banks on some routes, PayPal) often make their money on the exchange rate. Once you understand this, comparing transfer services becomes much easier.

The 6 Methods Compared

1. Wise — Best Overall for Most People

Send money with Wise →

How Wise works:

Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate — no markup, no spread. The fee it charges is transparent, shown before you confirm the transfer, and typically falls between 0.3% and 0.6% of the transfer amount depending on the currency pair. For EUR to GBP, fees are around 0.4–0.5%. For EUR to USD, around 0.5%. For more exotic currencies (Turkish lira, Moroccan dirham), fees are slightly higher.

The fee structure is also hybrid: there is often a small fixed fee (to cover processing costs) plus a percentage. Wise shows you the full amount the recipient will receive before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

Speed: Wise processes most transfers in 1–2 business days. For many EUR transfers within Europe (where Wise processes internally), it is faster — sometimes the same day. Wise shows you an expected delivery time before you confirm the transfer.

Limits: Most verified accounts can send up to EUR 1,000,000 per transfer. Basic unverified accounts have lower limits. Verification takes a few minutes with an ID document.

Pros: The price guarantee (Wise will match your transfer rate if you can show a cheaper comparable service), the transparent fee display, and the multi-currency account that lets you hold euros, pounds, and dollars simultaneously.

What to watch: Wise is not free for currency conversions. If you are moving euros to a euro account (SEPA), your Dutch bank is equally good and may be slightly cheaper. Wise’s value is in cross-currency transfers.

2. Revolut — Good for Small Amounts and Everyday Use

Revolut occupies a slightly different space from Wise. It is primarily a digital bank with strong everyday spending features, and international transfers are one part of a broader offering. For many expats, Revolut serves as a spending card and occasional transfer tool, while Wise handles larger or recurring international payments.

How Revolut works for transfers:

On the free Revolut Standard plan, you can exchange up to EUR 1,000 a month without additional fees on weekdays; above that a 1% fair-usage fee applies, and weekend exchange fees apply. On paid plans the limit is higher or removed: Plus (EUR 3.99 a month) has an exchange limit of EUR 3,000 with a 0.5% fair-usage fee above it, and Premium (EUR 10.99), Metal (EUR 19.99) and Ultra (EUR 65) have no exchange limit (revolut.com, Netherlands, checked 29 September 2026).

Check Revolut’s own terms for its transfer fees and delivery times.

What Revolut is genuinely good for: Sending smaller amounts (under EUR 1,000) on weekdays if you are on a free plan, transfers within Europe where both parties have Revolut, and using it as a travel card for spending in multiple currencies.

What to watch: The weekend markup is significant if you are in the habit of transferring on Saturdays. Plan your larger transfers for weekday hours (Monday to Friday, during European market hours) to avoid the 1% weekend surcharge. Also check which plan tier you are on before assuming you are getting the mid-market rate.

For a detailed breakdown of how Wise and Revolut compare across different transfer types and amounts, see our Wise vs Revolut comparison for Netherlands expats. And for a full look at Revolut as a banking product, see the Revolut review for expats in the Netherlands.

3. ING and ABN AMRO Bank Transfers — Expensive for International, Free for SEPA

Dutch bank transfers are a tale of two use cases: excellent for SEPA, expensive for everything else.

SEPA transfers (within Europe, EUR to EUR):

If you are sending euros to another euro account within the EU or EEA — paying rent to a German landlord, sending money to a Polish account, transferring to your own account at a European bank — a SEPA credit transfer from your ING or ABN AMRO account is essentially free. ING charges EUR 0 for SEPA transfers through its app. ABN AMRO is also free for standard SEPA transfers. The money typically arrives within 1 business day, often the same day.

For SEPA transfers, your Dutch bank is completely fine. There is no reason to use Wise or Revolut for a EUR-to-EUR transfer within Europe.

SWIFT transfers (outside SEPA, or any currency conversion):

This is where Dutch banks become expensive. ING charges EUR 5–15 per SWIFT transfer depending on the destination and amount. ABN AMRO charges EUR 8–20. On top of the transfer fee, both apply their own exchange rate, which typically has a 1.5–3% markup over the mid-market rate.

Sending EUR 1,000 to the UK through ING? Expect to pay around EUR 10–15 in fees, plus lose EUR 15–25 in exchange rate markup. Total cost: EUR 25–40. The same transfer through Wise costs around EUR 5–8, nothing more.

The banks are not doing anything illegal — this is simply how traditional banking international transfers are priced. The fee model was built decades ago when SWIFT was the only option. Today it makes very little sense to use bank SWIFT transfers when dedicated services exist.

For a full comparison of ING and ABN AMRO from an expat perspective, see our ING vs ABN AMRO guide for expats.

4. Western Union — Best for Cash Pickup

Western Union is one of the oldest money transfer companies in the world, and its main advantage is reach: it has physical agent locations in over 200 countries and territories, including many places where bank accounts are rare or where recipients prefer to collect cash in person.

When Western Union makes sense:

• Sending money to a family member in a rural area who does not have a bank account
• Countries where cash pickup is culturally preferred or where banking infrastructure is limited
• Some corridors (particularly within Africa and parts of Latin America) where Western Union has competitive rates due to volume

The cost reality:

Western Union is generally more expensive than Wise for bank-to-bank transfers. Fees for sending EUR 1,000 to a UK bank account typically run EUR 15–25, plus a 1–2% exchange rate markup. For cash pickup transfers, fees are higher still.

However, for cash-to-cash transfers in specific corridors — particularly sending to Morocco, certain African countries, and parts of Asia — Western Union can be competitive on speed and accessibility even if it is not the cheapest per euro transferred.

Western Union transfers can be made online through the Western Union website, through the app, or in person at a WU agent location (Post NL locations in the Netherlands, plus various shops and supermarkets).

5. PayPal — Convenient for Small Payments, Expensive for Large Transfers

PayPal is useful for certain types of payments — particularly paying for goods and services online, splitting bills with friends, or receiving small amounts. For sending money home as a regular remittance, it is one of the more expensive options available.

PayPal’s actual cost:

PayPal advertises “free” personal transfers, but there are significant caveats. Sending money from your PayPal balance to another person’s PayPal balance using the “friends and family” option is free if no currency conversion is involved. However, whenever a currency conversion is involved, PayPal applies a 3–4% exchange rate markup above the mid-market rate. That is among the highest markups of any service on this list.

Sending EUR 1,000 to a USD PayPal account would cost you approximately EUR 30–40 in exchange rate losses alone, with no visible fee line item. This is significantly more expensive than Wise (which would cost around EUR 5–8 for the same amount).

When PayPal is fine:

• Paying for a one-off service where the counterparty only accepts PayPal
• Receiving payments for freelance work from international clients (where your employer or client dictates the platform)
• Small, occasional personal payments where the exchange rate loss on EUR 50 is EUR 1.50 and not worth worrying about

For anything above EUR 200–300 involving a currency conversion, a dedicated transfer service will save you meaningfully more money than PayPal.

6. Remitly — Good for Speed to Specific Corridors

Remitly is a specialist remittance service that has built a strong position in specific money transfer corridors, particularly to India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Mexico, and parts of Africa. Unlike Wise or Revolut, Remitly is not trying to be a full banking product — it focuses on getting money to family in developing economies quickly and reliably.

Remitly’s model:

Remitly offers two speeds: “Express” (often same-day or next business day, higher fee) and “Economy” (2–3 business days, lower fee). Fees vary by corridor and amount but are typically higher than Wise for European destinations and sometimes competitive for South/Southeast Asian corridors.

Exchange rate markups on Remitly are generally modest — typically 0.5–1.5% above mid-market — making the total cost reasonable for the corridors where it specialises. Remitly also offers cash pickup through a network of partner agents in many countries, similar to Western Union.

India corridor specifically: For sending money from the Netherlands to India, Remitly is worth comparing directly against Wise. Depending on the exact amount and timing, Remitly’s Express service to India can be faster than Wise and at a similar or slightly higher total cost. Run the comparison for your specific transfer amount and decide based on whether speed or cost is the priority.

Cost Comparison: EUR 1,000 to Key Destinations

The table below shows approximate total cost (transfer fee + estimated exchange rate markup vs mid-market rate) for sending EUR 1,000 from a Netherlands bank account to each destination. Figures are based on typical weekday transfers; weekend Revolut transfers cost about EUR 10 more due to the 1% surcharge.

Notes: Bank transfer costs include both transfer fee and exchange rate markup. PayPal costs are almost entirely from exchange rate markup (the fee is often “free” but the rate is poor). SEPA transfers within Europe (EUR to EUR) cost EUR 0–1 regardless of which bank you use — but that only applies to euro-to-euro transfers.

For large transfers (EUR 5,000+), the percentage-based costs scale linearly, making the bank transfer option proportionally even more expensive. On EUR 5,000 to the UK, Wise would cost around EUR 25–40, while a bank SWIFT transfer could cost EUR 150–250 in total.

Speed Comparison

For most expat use cases — supporting family, sending money home monthly, paying for services abroad — Wise’s 1–2 business day timeline is completely adequate. If you genuinely need money to arrive within hours, Western Union’s Express or Remitly’s Express option can achieve that for specific corridors at a premium.

Hidden Fees: What Nobody Tells You About

Beyond the exchange rate markup we described above, there are other hidden or unexpected costs to be aware of.

Recipient bank fees

Some receiving banks in certain countries charge a fee when accepting an international transfer. This is separate from the sending fee and is deducted from the amount received. Indian and some Asian banks occasionally do this. If your recipient consistently receives less than the amount Wise (or any service) shows as the payout, check whether their bank charges an incoming international transfer fee.

Intermediary bank fees (SWIFT chains)

SWIFT transfers do not always go directly from your bank to the recipient’s bank. Sometimes one or two intermediary (correspondent) banks are involved in routing the transfer. Each intermediary may deduct a processing fee — typically USD 10–25 per leg — from the transfer amount. This is why a EUR 1,000 SWIFT transfer might arrive as USD 965 even though your bank only charged you EUR 15. Wise routes around this by operating its own local payment networks in most countries, which is one reason its transfers are cheaper and more predictable.

Weekend and off-hours rate locks

As mentioned under Revolut: when currency markets are closed (Friday evening through Sunday evening, European time), some transfer services either suspend transfers, apply a 1% premium, or lock in an exchange rate that includes a buffer for market movement when trading resumes. Revolut charges 1% extra on weekends. Wise shows a wider expected range on weekends but does not add a flat surcharge. Traditional banks process the transfer when markets open on Monday at whatever rate applies.

Minimum transfer amounts

Most services have minimum transfer amounts. Wise’s minimum is typically EUR 1 (for some currencies slightly more). Western Union minimums vary by corridor. Banks rarely enforce a minimum but their fixed fees make very small transfers disproportionately expensive.

Verification delays on first transfers

Wise verifies you before your first transfers and may ask for more documents when you send larger amounts; it says document checks usually take 1-2 working days. Set up and verify your account before you actually need to send money.

Country-Specific Sections: Top Corridors from the Netherlands

Netherlands to UK

The Netherlands-to-UK corridor is one of the busiest in Europe, driven by the large British expat community and ongoing business ties post-Brexit. EUR to GBP is a well-served currency pair on every major platform.

Best choice: Wise. It consistently offers the best rate for EUR/GBP with fees around EUR 5–8 per EUR 1,000. The alternative is Revolut if you are below your monthly free exchange limit. Bank SWIFT transfers to the UK are about four to five times more expensive in total cost.

Note that since Brexit, UK bank accounts are outside SEPA. Even GBP transfers between EU and UK banks go through SWIFT or private routing. There is no cheap “euro equivalent” for Netherlands-to-UK transfers — you always need a dedicated service or accept high bank fees.

Send money to the UK with Wise →

Netherlands to USA

EUR to USD is the most traded currency pair in the world, which means every service covers it and competition keeps fees relatively low. Wise and Revolut both offer competitive rates, typically 0.4–0.6% above the mid-market rate.

For large transfers to the US (EUR 10,000+), it is worth checking OFX, which charges no transfer fee and applies a small markup that can be slightly better than Wise at higher amounts. For amounts under EUR 10,000, Wise remains the simpler and usually cheaper option.

SWIFT transfers from ING or ABN AMRO to US bank accounts are simple but expensive — plan on EUR 30–50 per EUR 1,000 in total cost due to the transfer fee plus exchange rate markup.

Netherlands to India

India is one of the most important remittance corridors globally. The Netherlands has a substantial Indian expat community, and getting the best rate on EUR-to-INR transfers can add up to significant savings over a year of regular transfers.

Best choice: Compare Wise and Remitly for each transfer. For larger amounts (EUR 1,000+), Wise usually wins on total cost. For smaller amounts where speed matters (Express delivery within hours), Remitly’s India Express service is competitive. Both are dramatically cheaper than any Dutch bank’s SWIFT option.

Indian recipient banks occasionally charge incoming international transfer fees of USD 5–10. If this is an issue, ask your recipient to check with their bank or consider using a bank that waives this fee.

Netherlands to Turkey

EUR to TRY (Turkish lira) involves more complexity because the Turkish lira has been subject to high volatility and inflation. Exchange rate markups on this corridor are slightly higher than major currency pairs to compensate for the hedging risk transfer services take on.

On 24 September 2026 Wise quoted EUR 6.90 in fees for sending EUR 1,000 to a Turkish bank account when you pay by bank transfer (EUR 2.53 fixed plus EUR 4.37 variable), and EUR 8.73 when you pay with iDEAL (wise.com price calculator). Fees change with the rate and the payment method, so check the quote before you confirm. Revolut applies its standard formula but the margin is slightly higher due to currency risk. Bank SWIFT transfers to Turkey are available from both ING and ABN AMRO but cost EUR 40–65 per EUR 1,000 in total.

For recurring transfers to Turkey — sending money to family, paying for property — Wise’s scheduled recurring transfer feature is useful: you set up a standing order and Wise handles the conversion at the mid-market rate each month.

Netherlands to Morocco

Morocco is one of the top remittance destinations from the Netherlands, with a large Moroccan-Dutch community. EUR to MAD (Moroccan dirham) is a corridor where Western Union has traditionally been strong due to its extensive network of cash pickup locations in Morocco.

Today, Wise supports EUR-to-MAD transfers with bank delivery to Moroccan accounts. Fees are around EUR 10–15 per EUR 1,000 — competitive but not dramatically cheaper than Western Union for this corridor. Western Union’s advantage is cash pickup availability for recipients who prefer or need to collect in cash.

For recipients with Moroccan bank accounts (CIH, Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire, etc.), Wise is the better choice on cost. For recipients who prefer cash, Western Union remains practical.

Netherlands to Poland

This is one of the easiest corridors to optimise. EUR to PLN is well-covered by all major services, and because Poland is in the EU (though not the eurozone), it benefits from good infrastructure and competitive rates.

Wise offers EUR-to-PLN transfers for around EUR 5–8 per EUR 1,000. Revolut is equally competitive. For EUR-to-EUR transfers to Polish bank accounts (less common but possible if your Polish contact has a EUR account), a SEPA transfer from your Dutch bank is free — but check that both sender and receiver are using EUR accounts, not PLN.

When Your Dutch Bank Transfer Is Actually Fine

SEPA covers 36 countries including all EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and a few others. If you are:

• Paying rent to a German, French, or Spanish landlord
• Sending money to your own account at a European bank
• Paying a supplier or freelancer based in Poland, Romania, or Hungary in euros
• Making a one-off payment to a Dutch government body or institution

…then a regular SEPA euro transfer from your Dutch bank account is the simple route: no currency conversion is involved, so you do not need Wise or another transfer service.

The only time SEPA becomes less optimal is when you want to send Polish zloty to a Polish account rather than euros. In that case, a currency conversion is involved and the SEPA advantage disappears — use Wise.

For more information on Dutch bank accounts and which is right for your situation, see our guide to the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands.

Setting Up Wise: A Practical Walkthrough

Since Wise is the right choice for most international transfers from the Netherlands, here is exactly how to get started.

Step 1: Create your account

Go to Wise (via the link below) and sign up with your email address. You can also use Google or Apple sign-in. The initial sign-up takes under two minutes.

Step 2: Verify your identity

For your first transfer above a certain amount (typically EUR 200–500), Wise will ask you to verify your identity. You will need to upload a photo of your ID (passport or EU ID card) and take a selfie. This usually completes within a few hours, sometimes faster. Do this in advance of when you need to transfer.

Step 3: Make your first transfer

Enter the amount you want to send, select the destination currency, and enter the recipient’s bank details (their IBAN and account name, or their SWIFT/BIC and account number for non-SEPA destinations). Wise shows you exactly how much the recipient will receive, what the fee is, and the expected delivery time before you confirm.

Step 4: Fund the transfer

Pay via iDEAL (fastest, usually instant), SEPA bank transfer from your Dutch account (next business day), or debit/credit card. iDEAL is the easiest and most common method for Netherlands-based senders.

Step 5: Track and confirm

Wise sends email updates as your transfer moves through each stage. You can also track it in the app. Once delivered, both you and your recipient receive a confirmation.

Open a Wise account and send your first transfer →

Choosing the Right Account to Send From

The account you send from can affect your costs, particularly for SEPA transfers.

If you are still setting up your Dutch banking, the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands guide covers your options in detail. For those who use a lot of financial apps, the best finance apps for expats in the Netherlands covers the broader ecosystem.

Business owners and freelancers (ZZP) who need to send payments internationally as part of their business should read the Dutch business bank account guide for ZZP — the cost structure for business international transfers is different from personal transfers, and having the right business account matters.

Sending Money from the Netherlands: Regulatory Notes

Anti-money-laundering (AML) requirements

Dutch banks and transfer services are required by law to apply Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering checks. For regular personal transfers — monthly remittances, paying family expenses, buying property abroad — you will not encounter issues as long as your account is properly verified and transfer amounts are consistent with your stated purpose.

For transfers above EUR 10,000, you may be asked for documentation of the source of funds. Acceptable documentation includes a salary slip, property sale documents, inheritance documentation, or a business invoice. Keep these on hand if you are making large transfers.

Currency export from the Netherlands to non-EU countries

The Netherlands does not restrict the amount of money you can transfer abroad. However, Dutch banks may impose their own internal limits for due diligence. If you need to transfer a very large sum (EUR 100,000+), it is worth calling your bank or transfer service in advance to confirm the process and avoid delays.

Tax implications

Money you transfer abroad from the Netherlands is not a taxable event in itself. However, maintaining foreign bank accounts with significant balances may have implications for your Dutch box 3 wealth tax (vermogensrendementsheffing), which taxes savings and investments held on 1 January each year. If you regularly keep large amounts in foreign accounts, check with a Dutch tax advisor. Our guide to the Dutch tax system for expats is a good starting point.

For questions about your salary, how much you should be earning in the Netherlands, or how much of your income remains after transfers, our salary checker tool and cost of living calculator can help you plan realistically.

International Transfers and Your Salary

Many expats in the Netherlands send a portion of their Dutch salary home each month. The mechanics of doing this efficiently — choosing the right transfer size, timing, and service — can meaningfully affect how much value you deliver to your family over a year.

A rough example: if you earn EUR 60,000 per year (EUR 5,000/month) and send EUR 1,000/month to the UK, the difference between using your bank (EUR 35/month in total costs) and Wise (EUR 7/month) is EUR 336/year. Over five years, that is EUR 1,680 in unnecessary fees.

My Recommendations Summary

For most expats sending money from the Netherlands:

Use Wise as your primary transfer service for any cross-currency international transfer. It is the most cost-effective option for the widest range of destinations, transparent about its fees, properly regulated, and easy to use alongside your existing Dutch bank account.

For euro transfers within Europe: Use a standard SEPA bank transfer from your Dutch account. It is free and fast. No need for Wise or any other service.

For small, frequent transfers (under EUR 500) to someone who also has Revolut: Revolut instant transfers are free and convenient, particularly for splitting costs with friends and colleagues.

For cash pickup in countries with limited banking: Western Union remains the practical choice despite higher fees, particularly for Morocco, certain African countries, and rural areas in South/Southeast Asia.

For speed-first transfers to India or the Philippines: Compare Remitly Express directly against Wise for your specific amount on the day you transfer. Both are worth bookmarking.

For large one-off transfers (EUR 20,000+): Wise handles these well, but also get a comparison quote from OFX, which has no transfer fee and occasionally offers tighter exchange rate margins for very large transfers.

Start saving on international transfers with Wise →

Related Guides

• Best international money transfer services for the Netherlands — full comparison
• Wise vs Revolut: which is better for expats in the Netherlands?
• Revolut review for expats in the Netherlands
• Best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands 2026
• ING vs ABN AMRO: which is better for expats?
• Best finance apps for expats in the Netherlands
• Dutch business bank account guide for ZZP and freelancers
• Salary negotiation guide for expats in the Netherlands
• Bank account chooser tool
• Salary checker tool
• Cost of living calculator