How to do an international wire transfer: Complete guide to charges, times & process

If you need to send money overseas from Ireland you may be considering using an international wire transfer - commonly just called a bank transfer, credit transfer or an international transfer.

You can generally send a wire money transfer with your bank to more or less any country globally - or you can choose other providers like Wise instead.

This guide looks at how to send a wire transfer online or in person, and also works through the differences between different payment types, like ACH vs wire transfer vs bank transfer, so you know what to look for when arranging your payment.

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What is a wire transfer?

A wire transfer is a way to move money electronically from one bank account to another.

Wire transfers may be processed domestically or in the EU in euros or other supported currencies or to other countries and currencies with the SWIFT network.

Wire transfer vs bank transfer vs ACH

You may hear several different words describing electronic money transfers, including wire transfer, bank transfer and ACH. This can be confusing, particularly as some words are used interchangeably, or are more commonly used in US English, with different names used in Ireland and the EU.

Here’s a summary:

• Wire transfer: wire transfer is commonly used in US and global English to describe a fast electronic transfer, often internationally through the SWIFT network, but domestic options can also be available
• Bank transfer: bank transfers can be either local or international, and might refer to a quick wire payment, or a slightly slower transfer method
• ACH: ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. This is the US equivalent of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) network.

When to use wire transfers?

Wire transfers are generally one of the faster ways to move your money, and so can be a useful tool if you’re in a hurry to send a payment locally or overseas.

Take a look at your own bank’s online or mobile banking service to view the specific payment types available to you, to see which is the best for your requirements.

Types of wire transfers

A wire transfer may refer to a domestic or EU/EEA payment using local payment networks, or an international transfer which is usually routed through the SWIFT network.

SWIFT transfer is the most common payment type you’ll come across:

Transfer network operated globally which uses banking partnerships between different institutions to securely send payments in many countries, to many currencies³

How to send a wire transfer from Irish banks

Depending on your bank, the value of your payment and where you’re sending it to you may be able to arrange your transfer digitally - or you might need to complete a form and then go into a branch in person instead.

To give an example, with PTSB you can send up to 10,000 EUR within the EEA online and in app. However, for other currencies or higher value payments you need to visit a branch with a completed payment request form instead.⁴

Looking to send an EEA EUR transfer digitally? Here’s how to do wire transfer online with PTSB as an example⁵:

1. Log in to the PTSB App
2. Select the ‘Transfer’ tab on the bottom navigation bar
3. Select your payee from the dropdown list and select ‘Pay’
4. Choose which of your accounts you wish to pay from
5. Enter the amount, the date of payment and a reference
6. Select ‘Confirm’ to proceed with the payment to the payee.

Required information for wire transfers: what do you need?

Before you can send a wire transfer you may find that you need to set up your recipient as a payee on your bank’s online or mobile banking service.

This allows you to enter their full banking information before you make your first payment, and then for subsequent transfers you can simply select the payee from your payee list without needing to enter the details manually all over again.

Sticking with PTSB as our example, you can set up your new payee online in a few steps⁶. You’ll enter the recipient’s name as shown on their bank account and their IBAN. For recipients outside of the EU you may need to enter their account number and bank BIC/SWIFT code, as well as any other country specific information instead.

With PTSB you can follow prompts to enter your new recipient’s details, then verify them in the app or online, before making your first payment.

International wire transfer charges and costs

Let’s take a look at the international wire transfer charges from some major Irish banks, compared against Wise.

We’ve also included delivery times and cut off times, so you can work out how long a wire transfer may take. We’ll look in more detail at the common wire transfer processing time and what factors impact the international money wire transfer time right after the table.

Details correct at time of research - 9th January 2025. * Transaction speed claimed depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions.

Wire transfers processing & cut off times

As well as knowing the wire transfer charges you should also consider the processing times and cut offs for your bank. So, what is the cut off time for a wire transfer, and why does it matter?

Banks usually have cut-off times which can vary by currency and wire type. To make sure your transfer will start to be processed on the day you submit it, you need to get it arranged before the cut off deadline. Miss cut off and your payment won’t even start its journey until the next business day.

As you can see from the table above, international wire processing times with banks can vary a lot, from pretty much instant euro payments through to transfers which may take 4 working days to arrive in your recipient account.

Factors that can affect a wire transfer speed

As well as meeting the bank’s cut off times for your payment you may also want to consider the following:

• Different transfer methods have their own delivery times - urgent or instant payments (often only in EUR) are normally the fastest
• Incorrect or incomplete transfer information slows your payment - double check all the details before you send your money
• Some transfers require security checks - you may be asked to provide additional information or documentation for higher value transfers in particular.

Discover how Wise works differently

If you want a different option, check out Wise.

Wise sends many payments using local payment networks instead of the SWIFT network, which can be faster and cheaper as there are no intermediaries involved in the process. Where local payment methods aren’t available, Wise also offers the SWIFT option so you can make your own choice as to what’s best to use.

When processing international transfers and converting currencies Wise uses the mid-market exchange rates without any markup, and transparent, upfront fees.

This means that you know how much you will pay and what the recipient will receive before you confirm your transfer. You’ll also see a delivery estimate so you can compare transfer speed against your bank before you make your payment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer?

You’ll need to contact your bank to request a cancellation of a wire transfer. This may not be possible if the money has already been processed.

What happens if I send a wire transfer to the wrong account?

If you send money to an account number that does not exist, the transfer will usually be returned to you automatically. If you send money to a valid, but incorrect bank account number, you’ll need to ask your bank if they can recall the payment. This may be difficult and isn’t always possible.

Are there limits on wire transfer amounts in Ireland?

Different banks have their own limits on international payments. Often limits apply on digital payments which can mean you have to visit a branch instead of making your transfer online. If you hit a limit, compare Wise.

With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to 140+ countries worldwide with transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rates. Wise allows you to send up to 20 million EUR per transfer if you pay from your Wise account.

Have a look at the main benefits for using Wise to send large transfers:

• Dedicated support for large transfers
• Easy setup with no physical paperwork
• Upfront, transparent fees (with discounts available)
• Fully trackable transfers
• Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications.

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What's the difference between urgent and standard international payments?

Standard SEPA payments must arrive in the recipient's bank no later than the next business days. Urgent payments may be expedited, while instant SEPA credits must arrive in accounts within 10 seconds of the transfer being initiated.

Can I track my wire transfer?

You may be able to track your transfer in your banking app, online, or by calling your branch to ask for advice as necessary.

Sources used:

1. European Payments Council - SEPA transfer
2. European Payments Council - SEPA instant
3. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)
4. PTSB payments and transfers
5. PTSB FAQ - sending to someone else’s account
6. PTSB FAQ - new payee
7. Bank of Ireland - international fees
8. Bank of Ireland - international transfer time FAQ
9. Bank of Ireland - international transfer cut off times
10. AIB international fees
11. AIB - international transfer FAQ
12. PTSB account fees
13. PTSB - cut off times

Sources last checked on date: 18th February, 2026