How to make an international transfer from France and pay less?

How can you make an international bank transfer from France without paying too much? To find out, we compared the fees charged by traditional banks and online payment solutions: Western Union, Société Générale, PayPal, and Wise.

Wise is an alternative solution that, thanks to its account, allows you to make international transactions in more than 40+ currencies without hidden fees. You know the total cost of the transaction before confirming your transfer (a comparison tool with other providers is available online). The goal: no unpleasant surprises and transparency for the customer.

Here is a comparison of the fees charged for international transfers:

For international transfers (non-SEPA), fees are often high and a margin is usually applied to the exchange rate. On top of this, fixed fees are added. Transactions are also subject to limits and are sometimes only possible in branches, which can be time-consuming and generate extra costs.

Wise's currency comparison tool is based on the mid-market exchange rate, allowing for real-time transactions without hidden markups. Transfers are quick and easy to set up.

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Fees for an international bank transfer from France

When you transfer funds to a country outside the SEPA zone, a series of fixed and variable fees, as well as other commissions, may be added to the final cost of the transaction:

Exchange rate margin

Most banks and payment platforms like Western Union or PayPal add a margin to the exchange rate they receive. This is where they make part of their profit on currency conversion.

Fixed fees applied to each transaction

Banks usually charge a fixed fee per transfer. This fee can increase considerably if you use an advisor in a branch, by phone, or by email. Such fees may depend on the transfer amount or the destination.

Beneficiary bank correspondent fees

Depending on the recipient's country, local banking regulations and the bank’s own pricing may apply. As a result, you may also have to pay fees charged by the recipient's bank.

Other possible fees

Traditional banks may also charge for: setting up standing orders, receiving SEPA or international transfers, correcting incorrect beneficiary details, sending notifications, etc.

How to make an international transfer in France?

SEPA Transfer

Most often, you can make an international transfer within the SEPA zone using your bank's mobile app or online account.

• The IBAN identifies the recipient's country, bank, and account number.
• The BIC/SWIFT code identifies the bank where the beneficiary's account is held.

You now have the option of choosing an instant transfer, which credits the beneficiary's account in seconds. For transfers outside the SEPA zone, this option is not available.

Transfer outside the SEPA zone

Since IBANs are not always used outside SEPA, the beneficiary may only provide an account number. These international transfers often need to be initiated at a branch, which can be time-consuming and incur extra fees.

Choosing the right international transfer method

Once you have the recipient's bank details, you can choose the transfer method.

Société Générale

With Société Générale, SEPA transfers can be made online. For transfers outside the SEPA zone, you can start the process via the app or your personal account, but depending on the amount, currency, and destination, you may still need to visit a branch.

PayPal

PayPal only allows international transactions online. However, as a service designed mainly for businesses, it is not always cost-effective for personal transfers, as fees for individuals are higher. In addition, recipients need to withdraw money to their personal bank account, which may generate more fees.

Western Union

Western Union is suitable if you want to send or receive money in cash (with limits on amounts). The recipient can withdraw funds in cash at a local branch.

In some cases, for certain destinations, you can also initiate the transfer online while the recipient collects it in cash. With the app, account-to-account transfers are also possible.

Wise

Wise is a 100% digital solution. You can open an account for free to hold 40+ currencies.

From there, you can send both SEPA and non-SEPA transfers. You can also convert money between currencies at the mid-market exchange rate. Before confirming, you can run a simulation with the currency converter. Fees vary depending on the amount and the currency.

How to make an international transfer with Wise step by step?

Wise offers the convenience of an online solution, with transparent fees and flexible options for sending money abroad.

First, start by creating a Wise account. It only takes a few minutes.

You can then top up your euros with the amount you want to transfer, before sending it in the currency of your choice. This helps reduce costs.

To run a simulation:

• Log in to your main account
• Select the currency you want to debit
• Select “International” or “Same Currency” to see if conversion is required
• Enter the amount to send
• Choose the date and frequency (one-time, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly)
• Click “Continue”
• Choose the recipient (yourself, another person, a company, or an association)
• Fill in the required details
• Confirm the transfer

FAQ: How do I make an international transfer?

Is it secure to send money abroad?

International transfers are secure when handled by recognized banks or regulated payment providers. Since May 2021, strong authentication is mandatory for added protection. Still, scams such as hacked cards, fraudulent transfer requests, or fake checks do exist.

Wise is regulated as an electronic money institution within the EU by the National Bank of Belgium. It must safeguard client funds, meaning your money is kept separate from company funds and held securely in the UK, Netherlands, or US.

How long does an international transfer take?

• An instant SEPA transfer takes a few seconds.
• A standard SEPA transfer takes about 1 business day.
• International transfers can take up to 4 business days.

Wise also allows express transfers from euros to pounds sterling. For comparison, a Western Union transfer can take up to 6 days.

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Sources:

Last verified on May 1, 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.