Personal Finance Money transfer

International transfers with Santander in Spain: everything you need to know

Gemma Gálvez

08.05.26

Read time 2 minutes

Sending money across borders seems straightforward at first glance. However, once you factor in fees, exchange rates, and different transfer methods, the process can quickly become confusing.

Whether you’re sending funds abroad or receiving payments in Spain, understanding exactly how international transfers work is a major advantage. If you bank with Santander in Spain, you already have a convenient way to move your money. In this guide, we’ll break down how to make a transfer, the specific details you'll need, and the true costs involved—including the sneaky fees hidden within exchange rates.

We’ll also explore alternatives like Wise, which can offer a much more transparent and cost-effective way to manage your money internationally.

Send money with Wise

How to make an international bank transfer with Santander in Spain

You have a few options for sending money abroad with your Spanish Santander account. Naturally, the costs vary significantly depending on the method you choose.

Via the Santander Spain app or online banking

This is your most cost-effective route. Santander waives emission and SWIFT charges for individual clients using their digital platforms. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

Log into your Santander app or online banking portal.
Navigate to the Transfers section in the main menu.
Select International Transfers and fill in the required details.
Double-check that all information is correct, then click Continue.
Finally, authorize the operation using your security keys or the code sent to your mobile device.

At a branch or over the phone

Prefer speaking to a representative? You can set up your transfer with a Santander agent in person or via telephone. However, keep in mind that this route incurs fixed commission fees:

Up to €10,000: A €20 commission fee.
Over €10,000: A €50 commission fee.

Also, be sure to check their operating hours. Branches are generally open from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, while the customer service line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Since in-person transfers do not qualify for the digital “zero commission” perk, sticking to the app is definitely your best bet for saving money.

send-wise

What details do I need for a Santander transfer?

To ensure your money reaches its destination, you’ll need to have a few key details on hand:

The recipient's full name and address.
Their exact destination account number.
The transfer amount and the specific currency they should receive.
The receiving bank's SWIFT/BIC code.

What if you're the one receiving a transfer? Simply provide these same details to the sender. Just remember to give them your Spanish IBAN (as your account number) and Santander’s SWIFT code.

How much does an international transfer with Santander cost?

Generally speaking, international transfers fall into two main categories: SEPA (within Europe) and SWIFT (the rest of the world).

SEPA transfers

If you're sending euros (€) within the SEPA zone—which covers the 27 EU countries plus countries like the UK, Switzerland, and Norway—your transfer will typically be free.

SWIFT transfers

Sending money outside the SEPA zone is where fees start to add up, and some aren't immediately obvious:

Sending fees: While digital transfers are advertised as free, sending money from a physical branch will cost you the €20 to €50 fee mentioned earlier.
Intermediary bank fees: Other banks involved in processing the transfer used to take a cut, though Santander has fortunately eliminated these charges for digital transfers as of 2025.
The exchange rate markup: Santander adds a markup to the mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google). This means you get less foreign currency for your euros than you should, and this "hidden" cost scales up the more money you send.

Even if Santander advertises “zero fees” for online transfers, that exchange rate markup is still a cost you are paying.

Wise: A smarter alternative for international transfers

If you only send money abroad occasionally, a traditional bank like Santander works just fine. However, if you regularly send or receive different currencies, those hidden costs add up quickly. That’s when it makes sense to look for alternatives that offer lower, more transparent fees.

With Wise, you can open a multi-currency account that provides you with local account details for regions like the US, the UK, and Australia. This allows you to get paid like a local and convert your balance into over 40 different currencies whenever you need to.

Whenever you convert money, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and only charges a small, transparent upfront fee. There are no hidden markups, making it noticeably cheaper and often much faster than a standard SWIFT transfer.

Plus, you can use the Wise debit card to spend seamlessly in 160 countries, with your money automatically converting at the best rate Wise can offer.

Open your Wise account 🚀

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.