ING DiBa International Transfers: Costs, Fees, and Duration

Have you ever wondered why sending money abroad is so complicated and expensive?

💡 International transfers always come with lots of questions:

How high are the fees? How long will the transfer take? Which exchange rate will be used?

Looking at the sheer number of offers and conditions it is not easy to figure out what the best option for you is. ING DiBa is one of the largest online banks in Germany and they advertise a customer friendly experience – but is this also the case for international bank transfers? In this article, we will take a closer look at the costs, processing times, and key features of international transfers with ING DiBa, and compare them with alternative providers.

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Types of International Transfers with ING DiBa

Before we get into the details, it is important to know, that there are two different ways that you can send money abroad:

➡️ Either with a SEPA transfer or with a SWIFT transfer.

SEPA Transfers

SEPA stands for Single Euro Payments Area and includes all 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Vatican City, and even Great Britain. When you send money between any of these countries, the transfer works exactly as it would if you were sending money within Germany.

The key point is that SEPA transfers only work in euros. Because of that online SEPA transfers can be done for free with ING. SEPA transfers are also processed quickly, with money usually reaching the recipient within one business day.

SWIFT Transfers

If you want to send money outside of the SEPA zone, for example to the USA, Australia or Japan, then the SWIFT network comes into play. SWIFT is like an international network for you money that coordinates the transport between different banks (so called Correspondent Banks).

💡 Good to know:

You can currently only use the ING app to send money to SEPA countries. For real international transfers you will need to use ING DiBA online banking. However, you can approve international transfers easily using the ING app – a small consolation in an otherwise complicated process.

International Transfers with ING DiBa: Fees and Costs

This is where it gets interesting: How much does it actually cost to make an international transfer with ING DiBa?

💡 The cost of a transfer depends on multiple factors:

The country that you are transferring to, which currency you are using, and fee regulations (this one is especially important!).

What are fee regulations?

If you have made an international transfer before, then you might have encountered the terms OUR or SHARE already. These abbreviations stand for the fee regulation that determines who pays the fees for the international transfer. Note: with SEPA transfers you do not have this choice, only with SWIFT payments.

💡 There are three options:

➡️ SHARE: You pay ING DiBa’s fees, the recipient pays their own bank’s fees. This option is legally required within the EU.

➡️ OUR: You cover all fees – both your own bank’s fees, the recipient’s bank’s fees, and any intermediary bank’s fees. The recipient gets the full amount. ING DiBa charges a surcharge for this option.

➡️ BEN: The recipient pays all fees. This option is relatively uncommon.

ING DiBa Fees for International Money Transfers

If you want to send money abroad with ING DiBa, you must consider the following costs:

Regardless how much money you want to send abroad the minimum fee with ING DiBa is EUR 10. It might be worth considering some of the significantly cheaper alternatives – we will outline these in more detail later.

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Exchange Rate Inflation

Lots of Germans don’t know that their regular bank charges additional surcharges, hidden in the exchange rate. ING DiBa has slowly introduced more transparency around the conversion fees charged on international transfers.

Instead of using the current mid-market exchange rate, the bank applies its own exchange rates.

💡 The markup comes in the form of a spread, which varies depending on the currency:¹

At a first glance, these exchange rate mark-ups might not seem like much, but they quickly add up, especially on larger transfers.

For example, a 1% mark-up on a transfer of EUR 10,000 to USD would mean an extra cost of EUR 100, on top of the standard transfer fees. This is why it pays to look closely and compare the total cost of a transfer with alternatives, such as Wise.

How long do transfers with ING DiBa take?

Time is money, especially when it comes to bank transfers. It is natural to want to know exactly when your money is going to arrive with the recipient. SEPA transfers are pleasantly fast. In most cases, the money reaches the recipient within one business day. As long as you submit the transfer by 6 pm, it should arrive on the next business day.²

Transfers in other European Economic Area currencies, such as CHF or SEK, take a bit longer, with processing times of up to four business days.

SWIFT transfers are more complex. According to ING DiBa, they are processed as quickly as possible – a rather flexible description that depends on several factors.

💡 The actual transfer time can also be influenced by:

➡️ The number of correspondent banks involved.

➡️ The destination country and currency.

➡️ Public holidays and weekends along the payment route.

✅ Good to know:

ING DiBa processes international transfers submitted by 6 pm on business days on the same day. If you miss this cut-off, the transfer will not start until the following business day.

ING DiBa international transfers: step-by-step guide

After all the theory, let’s move on to practice. How do you actually make an international transfer with ING DiBa?

SEPA transfers

💡 SEPA transfers work just like domestic payments:

➡️ 1. Log in to your ING DiBa online banking account or app.

➡️ 2. Select SEPA transfer from the menu.

➡️ 3. Enter the recipient’s name, transfer amount, IBAN and BIC.

➡️ 4. Confirm the transfer using your TAN.

➡️ 5. Done! Your money is on its way.

Transfers outside the SEPA area

For transfers to countries outside the SEPA area, you’ll need a bit more information:

➡️ 1. Log in to your ING DiBa online banking account. International transfers cannot currently be set up in the app.

➡️ 2. Select International transfer.

➡️ 3. Enter the recipient’s name, IBAN and BIC.

➡️ 4. Add the destination country, currency, transfer amount and your preferred fee option.

➡️ 5. Confirm the transfer using your TAN.

➡️ 6. Done!

Wise as an alternative for international transfers

If you regularly send money abroad then it is worth looking for an alternative provider – this is where Wise comes into play. Wise is a Fintech company that has specialised in fair, cheap, and transparent international transfers since 2011.

💡 The big advantage:

Wise always uses the guaranteed mid-market rate without hidden inflation. Wise’s fees are transparent and often significantly cheaper than the fees charged by traditional banks – particularly with large transfers, Wise offers the opportunity to save a lot of money.

In addition to international transfers, Wise also offers a free multi-currency account and an international multi-currency card. With the account, you can hold and spend money in over 40 currencies, while the card lets you make payments and withdraw cash worldwide at excellent rates. It’s an ideal solution for frequent travellers and anyone with international ties.

💡 A simple example highlights the difference:

➡️ Example: ING DiBa transfer to the US.

1,000 EUR sent in USD, OUR option, as of 26 March 2025

The difference is striking, isn’t it? In our example with 1,000 EUR, using Wise saves you around 25 EUR at a minimum — and the savings become even more significant with larger amounts.

Step for step guide: sending money abroad with Wise

If you’re curious about Wise by now, you’re probably wondering how international transfers with Wise actually work.

✅ The good news is:

It’s very straightforward.

➡️ 1. Create a free account on the Wise website or in the app.

➡️ 2. Enter how much you want to send and which currency the recipient should receive.

➡️ 3. Add the recipient’s bank details.

➡️ 4. Wise clearly shows you all fees and the exchange rate being used before you send.

➡️ 5. Choose your payment method and complete the transfer.

➡️ 6. You can track the status of your transfer at any time in your Wise multi-currency account. Once the money reaches the recipient, you’ll automatically receive an email notification.

Tips for cost-effective international transfers

To wrap things up, here are a few general tips to help you save money on international transfers:

➡️ Watch out for exchange rate markups: As we’ve seen, ING DiBa’s exchange rate mark-ups range between 1% and 2%, depending on the currency. If you want to avoid unnecessary costs, it’s worth using alternatives like Wise.

➡️ Timing is Key: Exchange rates fluctuate constantly. If possible, keep an eye on the rate and send your money when it’s favourable. Some providers even offer exchange rate alerts.

➡️ Use alternatives like Wise for large amounts: For higher transfer amounts, Wise’s percentage fee drops even further, making it especially attractive for big payments, such as buying property abroad.

Send international transfers cost-effectively with Wise

International transfers with ING DiBa are convenient for existing customers, especially within the SEPA area, where they are fast and usually free. Once you start sending money outside this area, however, minimum fees, exchange rate markups of 1 – 2%, and additional foreign bank charges can quickly add up.

While ING DiBa has become more transparent about its exchange rates, the total cost is often still higher than with specialised providers — particularly for those currencies with a 2% spread.

If you make international transfers regularly or send larger amounts, it’s definitely worth considering cheaper alternatives. So why not try Wise next time and see the difference for yourself? Over time, you’ll have more money left for the things that really matter.

How to register with Wise

Registering with Wise is simple and straightforward. Here's how it works:

Step-by-step to your Wise account

💡 Open our website or app:

Whether on your laptop or mobile phone - start via Wise.com or directly in the Wise App.

💡 Choose account type:

Private or business - decide directly or later. Many use both, neatly separated.

💡 Register:

With email and password or via Google, Apple or Facebook. Entirely as you prefer.

💡 Verify:

Upload a valid identification document. For business accounts, additional company information is required.

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Via electricity bill, tax assessment or bank statement - the main thing is: clearly legible and current.

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Directly in the Wise App - physical or digitall. Perfect for travel, online shopping or spontaneous foreign currency expenses.

💡 Our tip:

Immediately set up a few currencies, test the Wise App, and receive your first payments. An account that thinks globally also opens up new possibilities.

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FAQ: Common questions about ING DiBa international transfers

What fees apply to a SWIFT transfer?

For SWIFT transfers with ING DiBa, fees depend on the transfer amount. You’ll pay either a flat fee of 10 EUR for transfers up to 500 EUR, or 1.5 per mille, with a minimum of 20 EUR, for amounts above 500 EUR. On top of that, the OUR option adds a 12 EUR foreign bank fee, plus exchange rate markups.

How long does a transfer to the US take?

According to ING DiBa, international transfers are processed as quickly as possible. In practice, a transfer to the United States typically takes around five business days.

Are there cheaper alternatives to ING DiBa for international transfers?

Fintech providers like Wise offer significantly cheaper international transfers, with transparent fees starting at 0.47% and no exchange rate markups. For example, sending 1,000 EUR to the US with Wise costs just 6.21 EUR (as of 26 March 2025).

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Sources used (as of 06.05.2026):

1. ING DiBa Schedule of Fees and Charges, May 2026
2. ING DiBa International Transfer FAQ, May 2026