How to send money to a card? Sending money to a debit card or credit card with Revolut

From transferring money as a birthday gift to a friend in London to supporting family across the globe, moving money should be as simple as sending a text.

While traditional transfers often rely on finding account numbers and sort codes, sending money to a debit or credit card removes the hassle. We've built our app to ensure you can move money directly to a card with clarity and ease. Read on to learn more.

And, if you want a deeper dive, explore our guide to card transfers and see how we can make your money go further.

Card transfer fees, exchange and remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

The information provided is accurate as of 5 February 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. If you've any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. We aren't a financial adviser.

How to send money to a card: the essentials

Let's break down the details for making a card transfer:

• Recipient details: you only need the recipient's name and their 16-digit card number
• Card types: we support transfers to most Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards
• Global reach: you'll be able to send money to billions of cards in over 100 countries and 70 currencies
• Speed: many card transfers are completed within minutes, though some can take up to 30 minutes
• Fees: we'll show you any applicable fees and exchange upfront in-app before you hit Send

How debit and credit cards receive money

Technology allows a debit or credit card to receive money directly through a 'push to card' payment. Instead of the money being 'pulled' from your account during a purchase, it's 'pushed' from your account to the recipient's card using the Visa or Mastercard networks.

When you send money to a debit card, the money's often available to the cardholder quickly. This method's particularly useful because it means you don't have to share sensitive bank account details. Most card providers now support this, though it's a good idea for you to confirm that the card is eligible for receiving payments. If the card isn’t supported for receiving transfers, we’ll let you know in-app.

What are the best ways to send money to a debit card?

There are several ways you can move money to a card, depending on where you are and how quickly you need it to arrive.

Mobile banking and e-money apps

Using a digital account like ours is an easy way to manage card-to-card transfers. Because our app's designed for mobile, you can enter card details and confirm the transfer in just a few taps.

Dedicated money transfer services

Specialist services are built to handle international payments. They often use card networks to provide an alternative to slower international methods.

Revolut card transfers

We offer a high-speed, cost-effective way to send money to a debit card globally. Our system connects directly to card networks, allowing for lightning fast transfers to millions of people. We aim for clarity by showing you exactly what the recipient will receive in their local currency before you confirm, as well as any applicable fees for that transfer type.

How to send money to a debit card with Revolut

We've built card transfers to be as simple as possible. Whether you're staying local or sending across borders, the steps are the same.

Sending money within the UK

For domestic payments, card transfers are a simple choice when you don't have the recipient's account details. Most UK-issued debit cards accept these transfers quickly, meaning the money's ready for them to spend right away.

Sending money abroad

International card transfers are often faster than SWIFT payments. We support transfers to cards in over 70 currencies.

How to send money to a credit card

The process for sending money to a credit card is the same as a debit card. However, the reasons are often different. You'll typically send money to a credit card to pay off a balance or to clear a monthly statement.

When you enter the credit card number, the payment will be made to that card's account. You'll need to note that if the transfer results in a credit balance (where the account holds more money than the credit limit), the receiving bank may have specific rules about how that money's handled. It's better to check the terms of the specific credit card before you send a large amount.

What are the details needed to send money to a card?

To make a successful transfer, you'll need to have a few key pieces of information ready. You won't need a sort code or an IBAN. Instead, you'll need:

• the 16-digit card number: this is the long number on the front or back of the card
• the recipient’s full name: this must match the name on their card's account
• a phone number: in some cases, providing a phone number helps with security checks

You should never provide or ask for the 3-digit CVV code on the back of a card when receiving money. That code's only used for making payments, and a legitimate service will never ask for it to send you money.

Fees and timeframes for card transfers

We believe you should always know exactly where your money is and how much it costs to move it.

Transfer speed

Card transfers are a fast way to move money. While many go through in real-time, some might take up to 30 minutes. If a transfer takes longer, it's usually because the receiving bank's doing their own internal security reviews.

Understanding fees and rates

We charge a small fee for transfers to cards, which will depend on the transfer details such as how much you're sending. We'll show you any transfer fees and exchange rates in-app before you confirm your payment. If you're sending money in a different currency, we'll use a competitive exchange rate. For Standard customers, there's a £1,000 monthly limit on currency exchange before a small fee applies.

Exchange, remittance, fair usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

Benefits of using card transfers over traditional transfers

Transfers to cards are used for different reasons, that mainly include:

• Convenience: finding a 16-digit card number is often easier than looking for a bank branch address or a BIC
• Speed: card networks don't always follow traditional hours, meaning money will often move on weekends
• Global reach: it's an effective way to send money to places where traditional accounts might be harder to use
• Reliability: the check digits on a card number help us verify that the number's correct before we send the money

Benefits of using card transfers over traditional transfers

Transfers to cards are used for different reasons. These mainly include:

• convenience: finding a 16-digit card number is often easier than looking for a bank branch address or a BIC
• speed: card networks don't always follow traditional hours, meaning money'll often move on weekends
• global reach: it's an effective way to send money to places where traditional accounts might be harder to use
• reliability: the check digits on a card number help us verify that the number's correct before we send the money

How to transfer money to a card

If you've got a balance in your account, you can move it to a Visa or Mastercard in a matter of minutes.

1. If you don't have it yet, download our app and create your account
2. Add money to your account using a card or a bank account
3. Head to the Payments tab in-app
4. Tap + Add new, then Card recipient
5. Enter the card details and save the recipient for future use
6. Choose which currency account you want to send from
7. Review the summary and tap Send

Common mistakes to avoid when sending money to cards

To ensure your money reaches its destination safely, you should avoid these common slips:

• Typing errors: double-check the 16-digit number. A single wrong digit could cause the payment to fail or go to the wrong account.
• Expired cards: make sure the recipient's card is still active and hasn't passed its expiry date.
• Currency mismatch: if you're sending to an international card, check if the recipient's account can receive that specific currency to avoid extra conversions by their provider.
• Name mismatch: check that the name you enter matches the official name on the card account.

Other easy ways you can move money with Revolut

Card transfers are a smart choice, but we've built plenty of other ways for you to get your money where it needs to go. Whether you're paying back a friend or sending a larger amount to a bank account, you'll find a tool that works for you in-app, with different instant transfer options:

• Revolut-to-Revolut: you can send money to anyone else who's with Revolut using just their phone number. These transfers go through lightning fast.
• Bank transfers: if you've got their bank account details, you can send money locally in the UK or internationally. The transfer speed and cost will depend on where the money goes, but it could be done in a few hours and at no cost if it’s sent in GBP to a UK account.
• Payment links: you can create a link and send it via text or email. Your friend just taps the link to claim their money without you needing to ask for their details.

How to get started with us

To start sending money to a debit card, follow these quick steps:

1. Download our app, sign up, and verify your identity in a few minutes
2. Add money: once your account's active, you'll be able to easily add money via a bank transfer or a debit card
3. Access card transfers: head to the Payments tab and tap + New to add your first card recipient
4. Send money: enter the amount, review the rates, and send your money globally