Fio banka foreign payment: Fees, exchange rate and transaction speed

Need to send money abroad from your Fio banka account? In this article, you'll find out how much Fio foreign payments cost, why it's important to consider the exchange rate, and how to actually set up a payment.

We're also introducing the Wise account which allows you to have local account details in 9+ currencies, including EUR, USD, and GBP — all in one place. You can convert your money at the mid-market rate, and we'll show you the fees upfront.

Save with Wise 💰

How Fio foreign payments work

🔍 Quick example: When you pay 1,200 EUR for a hotel in Paris, you'll be charged 740 CZK more from your Fio account than from a Wise account. This is true even though payments in EUR are free with Fio.¹

The culprit here is the exchange rate, or rather, the currency markup. Wise uses the mid-market rate without markups, which is why you save money on the transfer.

Data valid as of the article's writing date.

Fio payments abroad – fees

The cost of a foreign payment with Fio banka depends on where you're sending money and in what currency.

Fio – SEPA payments

SEPA payments are free with Fio¹, just like with most other Czech banks. This is because the European Union mandates that payments in EUR within the European Economic Area cannot be more expensive than domestic ones.

Fio – foreign payments

Fio differentiates between payments in EUR to countries outside the SEPA zone and payments in other currencies. Another thing that will affect the overall price is whether you choose to cover the recipient's fee for incoming payments (OUR type) or let it be deducted from their account (SHA, BEN type).

In simple terms: if you need the recipient to receive the full amount, you have to pay the fee for them.

Fio banka's exchange rate

A crucial factor in transferring money abroad with Fio banka is the exchange rate. Each bank determines this for itself, even though there's a so-called mid-market rate. This is the midpoint of the market rates, which it’s the ‘realest’ — and fairest — rate out there. Most banks, however, adjust this by 2-4% to profit from the exchange. Therefore, you inevitably lose money on the conversion. The example at the beginning of the article clearly illustrates this.

Save on foreign payments with Wise and the mid-market rate

Want to save money on international payments? We have a simple solution for you!

Open your Wise account for free, quickly and easily. All you'll need is your ID and a mobile device – there's no need to visit a bank office.

With the Wise Account you can:

• Hold 40+ currencies and convert between them at the mid-market rate. We will show our conversion fees upfront
• Get local account details in up to 9 currencies, including EUR, GBP, and USD
• Receive balance cashback on EUR, GBP and USD held in your account
• Order a Wise debit card which you can use with our Smart Conversion technology
• Set up Auto Conversions based on your desired rate in the Wise app or use our Wise Rate Tracker to request exchange rate notifications directly to your email
• Create Wise virtual cards, and save on online shopping
• Get instant notifications of all your transactions via the Wise app. If you lose your card, you can easily cancel it in the app to keep your money safe

Open your Wise account
for free 🚀

How to send a Fio payment abroad

The most important piece of information you need is the recipient's bank details in international format – meaning the account number in the IBAN format and the bank code BIC/SWIFT. For SEPA payments, these details should suffice. For other payments, you might need to provide the recipient's address as well. Always follow the fields marked with an asterisk as mandatory.

You can send a SEPA payment with Fio from both Internetbanking and Smartbanking:

1. In Internetbanking, select "Send money - Euro payment." In Smartbanking, choose "Payment order - Eurozone transfer."
2. Enter the account number, amount, date, and payment type, and fill in any remaining fields.
3. Review everything and authorize the payment.³

For other international payments with Fio, use Internetbanking:

1. Log in to your Internetbanking. In the menu, under the "Send money" tab, select the "Foreign payment" option.
2. Enter the amount and the currency in which you want to send the money, and choose the fee payment method.
3. Fill in all the required details – the recipient's account number in IBAN format, the BIC/SWIFT code, and other details.
4. Once you have reviewed everything, authorize the payment.
5. Click "Send" – and you're done.⁴

If you prefer to initiate a foreign payment in person at a branch, that's also possible. However, expect an additional fee of 100 CZK.¹

How to receive a payment from abroad with Fio?

If you are expecting a foreign payment, simply provide the sender with your account number in the IBAN format. Sometimes, the bank code or BIC/SWIFT is also required – Fio banka's is FIOBCZPPXXX.⁵

These two details should be more than enough for receiving SEPA payments. For payments from other countries, expect to be asked to provide more information, which might include your address or your bank's address.

🔎 Where can I find my Fio IBAN? In Internetbanking in the "Account Information" section, or in Smartbanking in the "Accounts" section under the "Account Detail" tab.³

Incoming payments in EUR are free with Fio. However, an incoming payment in other currencies will cost you a fee of 100 CZK.¹

How long does a money transfer abroad with Fio banka take?

If you send a SEPA payment, the money should arrive in the recipient's account on the next business day. For payments in another currency within the European Economic Area, it will arrive within four business days at the latest. For money transfers to other countries, the waiting time may be a little longer, typically up to five business days, but usually no more than fourteen days.⁶

Fio banka – contact

If any problems come up (not just with foreign payments), you can contact Fio banka directly⁷:

Fio Service:

• This service, available in Fio apps, is for specific inquiries about your account.
• You can also use authorized calls via Smartbanking.

Fio Infoline:

• Number: +420 224 346 800.
• Available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Ideal if you want to learn more about Fio's services and products.

Non-stop lines:

• In case of card theft or loss: +420 224 346 777
• In case of bank account misuse: +420 224 346 392

Fio payments abroad are generally easy and straightforward, but you might be unpleasantly surprised by costs that aren't immediately obvious. Now you know what to watch out for when transferring money. Check if Wise wouldn't be cheaper for you.

Open your Wise account
for free 🚀

Sources:

Sources checked on February 20, 2026.