Sending money home is one of the most important priorities for international workers living in Europe. Whether you want to support your family, pay for education, or manage savings, Europe offers many safe and reliable ways to transfer money internationally.

Popular Ways to Send Money Home From Europe

Workers and students in Europe generally use five main methods to transfer money internationally.

1. Online Money Transfer Apps

These are the most popular because they are fast, affordable, and easy to use.

Common platforms include:

• Wise

• Remitly

• WorldRemit

• Revolut

• PaySend

• XE Money Transfer

Benefits:

• Low fees

• Better exchange rates

• Fast transfers (minutes to a few hours)

• Send directly to bank accounts or mobile wallets

Best for: Workers sending money regularly at low cost.

2. Bank-to-Bank International Transfer

Most European banks allow international transfers using SWIFT.

Benefits:

• Very safe

• Direct transfer to home-country bank

Drawbacks:

• Higher fees

• Slower (2–5 working days)

• Less favorable exchange rates

Best for: Large transfers or when you need bank documentation.

3. Money Transfer Companies

Trusted companies offering cash or bank transfers include:

• Western Union

• MoneyGram

• Ria

Benefits:

• Send cash for pickup within minutes

• Available everywhere, even in remote regions

Drawbacks:

• Higher fees than online apps

• Exchange rates may be lower

Best for: When your family prefers cash pickup or has no bank account.

4. Mobile Wallet Transfers

Some apps allow transfers directly to mobile wallets.

Examples:

• M-Pesa (Africa)

• bKash (Bangladesh)

• GCash (Philippines)

• JazzCash (Pakistan)

Benefits:

• Fast and convenient

• Ideal for countries where mobile money is common

Best for: Quick, small-to-medium transfers.

5. Cryptocurrency Transfers (Not Recommended for Beginners)

Some workers use crypto to send money home.

Benefits:

• Low fees in some cases

Drawbacks:

• Risky for beginners

• Price changes quickly

• Not accepted everywhere

Best for: Experienced users only.

What Documents Do You Need to Send Money From Europe?

Most services ask for:

• Passport or residence permit

• European address or proof of residence

• European bank account or debit card

• Recipient’s bank details or mobile wallet number

For cash pickup:

• Sender: ID (passport, residence card)

• Receiver: ID + tracking number

How Much Does It Cost to Send Money Home?

Costs depend on:

• Transfer method

• Exchange rate

• Transfer amount

• Destination country

Estimated Fees

• Online apps: €1–€5 or 0.5–2% of the amount

• Banks: €10–€40 per transfer

• Western Union / MoneyGram: €5–€25 depending on amount

Tip: Always compare exchange rates, not just fees.

How Long Do Transfers Take?

• Instant to 1 hour: Online apps, cash pickups

• 1–2 business days: Mobile wallet transfers

• 2–5 business days: Bank-to-bank SWIFT transfers

Things to Consider Before Sending Money

1. Check the exchange rate

2. Compare fees across platforms

3. Confirm the receiver’s details carefully

4. Avoid using unregistered agents

5. Do not share OTPs or passwords

6. Keep a receipt for every transfer

Which Option Is Best for You?

For low cost:

Wise, Remitly, PaySend

For fast transfers:

WorldRemit, Western Union, Ria

For large transfers:

Bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer

For countries with mobile money systems:

bKash, M-Pesa, GCash, JazzCash

Conclusion

Sending money home from Europe is easy, safe, and affordable with the right method. Most workers prefer online transfer platforms because of their low fees and fast processing. Others may use Western Union or MoneyGram for cash pickups. Always compare fees and exchange rates to get the best value for your hard-earned money.