How to Transfer Money Internationally After Moving
I didn’t think about how I can transfer money internationally when I first moved abroad. I had so much going on—paperwork, housing, figuring out where to buy soap. But then I needed to send cash back home. Not once, but regularly. That’s when I realized: transferring money internationally can either be simple and affordable—or a total mess.
Let me walk you through what I learned, minus the stress and confusion.
Exchange Rates Are Not Just Numbers — They Eat Into Your Money
The first thing I noticed? Not all exchange rates are created equal. Some banks or apps showed a pretty good rate at first glance, but after digging, I realized they were padding it with hidden markups. That “small difference” in the rate? It adds up fast—especially if you’re sending money regularly.
Here’s what I do now: I always compare the rate they offer with the real mid-market rate. I use sites like XE or Google for the mid-market number, then check what the service is giving me. If it’s off by a lot, I skip it. Oh, and always check for transfer fees too—some platforms charge a flat fee, others take a cut of the total you’re sending. Both can hurt if you’re not careful.
I Tried Different Transfer Services
There are a ton of money transfer services out there, and choosing the right one depends on how fast you need the money to arrive, and how much you’re sending. I learned this the hard way. Here’s what I found:
- Banks: Super secure, but fees are ridiculous. They were the most expensive every time I checked. I only used them once—for a big transfer—because they made me feel safer. But for regular stuff? Not worth it.
- Online Money Transfer Platforms: Wise (used to be TransferWise) is my go-to now. It’s fast, transparent, and the rates are great. Revolut is decent too. I’ve used PayPal when someone insisted, but their fees and rates aren’t amazing.
- Wire Transfer Companies: I’ve used Western Union once in an emergency. It worked fast, but I paid for that speed. If you’re in a rush, sure—but you’ll definitely feel it in your wallet.
- Crypto Transfers: This one’s niche, but I’ve done it. If you and the person on the other end both know what you’re doing, it’s actually fast and cheap. But crypto is a rollercoaster, so it’s not for everyone.
I Had to Learn the Rules in My New Country
Another thing I didn’t think about? Local money transfer rules. Some countries are chill, others are super strict. Where I live now, there are limits to how much you can send abroad at once. They also ask for extra documents if you’re moving larger amounts. It was a pain the first time, but now I know what to prep.
Wherever you’re based, check the transfer laws early—saves you a headache later.
Transferring Money Isn’t the Time to Be Careless
Look, I’m not paranoid, but money is money. I only use platforms with solid security (two-factor auth is a must). I avoid public Wi-Fi, especially when logging into anything financial. It’s just not worth the risk. If the app or site looks shady, I bounce.
Regular Transfers: Automate Them
I send money home every month—so I set up automatic transfers. Wise lets me do it without hassle. Some services even give discounts if you do it regularly, which I wasn’t expecting.
If you’re sending money often, automation = sanity.
How Long Transfers Take
Transfer times surprised me. Some were instant, others took 3–5 business days. When it’s urgent, I check delivery times first. Wise is fast, crypto is faster (if you don’t mind the learning curve), and bank-to-bank? Usually slow.
Local Friends Know Stuff You Don’t
Honestly, one of my best money transfer tips came from another expat I met at a language class. She told me about a small local app that had better rates than PayPal. I would’ve never known.
Ask around. Join local Facebook groups, talk to neighbors, or chat with other parents at school. People who’ve been in your shoes usually have solid advice.
You’ll Get the Hang of It
International money transfers sound scary at first, but once done a couple of time, it becomes part of your normal routine. Whether you’re sending money to family, paying off something back home, or just moving your savings around—don’t panic. The right tool is out there.If you want to keep your life abroad a little more organized, Outplore helped me a ton—especially when I was figuring things out. Worth checking out: Outplore!
