International bank transfer: what are the fees when sending money from France?

International bank transfers allow you to send or receive money worldwide. The cost of a money transfer abroad can vary greatly depending on the type of transfer, the destination country, any currency conversions, and the sending and receiving fees charged by the sender's and recipient's banks. But what are the average fees charged by some well-known banks in France, and what are the key things to remember? Let's take a look.

With a Wise account, you can send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market rate, quickly and without hidden fees. Read on to learn more about this option and its benefits.

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Transfer fees are not always transparent or understandable

Although the fees charged by French banks for international SEPA and non-SEPA transfers are generally detailed in their terms and conditions, customers can easily get lost in the multitude of options available.

Before making an international transfer, here are some tips to consider:

Make your international transfer online rather than in a branch

In most cases, making a transfer in a branch will be more expensive than making the same transfer online, from your online account. This is because you must take into account the operator’s time as well as the administrative processing. Therefore, the sender should expect to pay additional fees when transferring money outside the eurozone.

Although generally less expensive, international transfers made online also incur fees. The amount of these depends on the pricing policies of the two banks involved — the sending and receiving banks.

Expect fees when transferring outside the same banking networks

If the bank from which the international transfer is made is not part of the same network as the beneficiary’s bank, additional fees will most likely apply.

Also, keep in mind that intermediary banks in the transfer chain may charge correspondent fees. These are usually mentioned in the pricing brochures of the banks involved.

Calculate the bank's exchange rate fees

In addition to the fees just mentioned, there are exchange rate fees, the amount of which is not always clearly stated by banks. If you take the time to consult your bank's fee schedule, you'll see that most of them charge a commercial margin on currency conversions, without the vast majority of customers being aware of it.

Choose a cost-effective alternative to banks

By using alternative options such as the Wise account, you benefit from the mid-market exchange rate when converting currencies. Moreover, you have your own account details to both send and receive money abroad. All fees payable for an international transfer are displayed clearly by Wise before you confirm the transaction.

Types of Transfers

There is no single type of international transfer. Some transfers may be regulated or standardized, while others may be made without an intermediary. It is also possible to schedule the frequency in advance.

Occasional (one-off)/Regular (standing) Transfer

An occasional or one-off transfer is made only once. You can also set up a standing (or regular) transfer to a beneficiary, which can be modified on request.

This solution can be useful for transactions such as paying a monthly bill or transferring a salary.

The frequency of the transfer can vary: weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

SEPA Transfer

In the eurozone, a SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transfer is a euro transfer between accounts in one of the 36 participating SEPA countries.

SWIFT Transfer

A SWIFT transfer is an international transfer made through the SWIFT interbank network. Only banks that are members of this protocol can offer this type of transfer.

International Transfer at the Mid-Market Rate

Outside the SEPA zone, some new providers reduce the costs of international transfers by using the mid-market rate. These options, like the Wise account, do not charge a hidden margin on currency conversion, which significantly reduces exchange fees.

International Transfer Fee Comparison

SEPA

SWIFT

The prices indicated are from the 2025 fee brochures. Fees may vary depending on your profile. For precise information, contact your bank directly.

How long does an international bank transfer take?

The time taken for an international bank transfer varies.

• For a SEPA transfer in euros, from France to another SEPA country, the time is usually 1–3 business days.

• For an international transfer involving currency conversion, the processing time depends on your bank. On average, about 5 business days.

With a Wise account, save on your international transfers

As we've seen throughout this article, most banks charge particularly high fees for international transfers. To reduce these costs, it can be worth choosing alternatives that use the mid-market rate and show fees upfront.

With a Wise account, you can benefit from:

• Transfers to 140+ countries.

• No hidden markup on exchange rates: Wise uses the mid-market rate.

• All fees are disclosed before you confirm your transfer.

• No maintenance fees.

• An account that can be opened for free and without excessive paperwork.

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Sources:

Sources last verified on April 12, 2025

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.