What is the quickest way to transfer money internationally from the UK?

Need to move money abroad, fast? Whether it’s supporting family back home, making a last-minute bill payment, or securing a time-sensitive property deposit, your choice of money transfer service matters.

When every second counts, you need to know which providers allow instant international transfers. Read this guide to learn all about the UK’s top apps and payment options to help you find the quickest way to transfer money internationally without compromising on cost.

And, when you're ready to start sending money across borders, you can sign up for Revolut to access our global payment network.

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 19 March 2026

You should visit their websites for confirmation of their most updated costs and charges.

T&Cs apply

What's an instant international money transfer?

An instant money transfer is a payment that's settled and made available to the recipient immediately — usually in less than 20 seconds. While many traditional providers use the term instant for marketing purposes, whether or not their payments actually go through right away depends on the underlying technology and payment networks they use.

In the UK, we're used to the Faster Payments Service (FPS) for domestic transfers, which ensures money moves between local accounts almost instantly. However, when you send money internationally, the process is a bit more complex. A truly instant international money transfer usually bypasses the traditional, multi-day clearing cycles used by traditional high-street banks.

Real-time payments vs fast transfers

It's important to understand the difference between an instant, real-time payment and a fast transfer:

• Instant (real-time) transfers: the money is moved and available to the recipient right away. This happens when both the sender and recipient are with the same provider (like with Revolut-to-Revolut payments), or when the provider uses local instant payment networks like SEPA Instant in Europe.
• Fast transfers: these may take a few hours or a full business day. This often happens if the provider needs to review the transfer or if the money is moving between 2 separate banking systems that don't support 24/7 processing.

How long does an international money transfer take?

The time it takes for an international money transfer to arrive mostly depends on the method you choose. Traditionally, international payments have been notorious for being slow, often taking between 3–5 business days.

The traditional system: SWIFT transfers

Most financial providers in the UK still rely on the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) network. While SWIFT is a secure way to send money, it's not always the fastest way to transfer money internationally.

Because the SWIFT network involves multiple correspondent financial providers acting as intermediaries, each step can add a delay of 24 hours or more. If you send a transfer on a Friday afternoon, it might not even begin processing until the following Monday, meaning your recipient could wait a week for the money to land.

The modern alternative: specialist transfer services

Specialist international money transfer services like ours have built modern infrastructure that connects directly to local payment systems. By bypassing the correspondent banking model, these services can offer significantly faster delivery times.

For many currencies, the easiest way to send money internationally is through an app that handles the exchange and the local delivery in a single, automated step.

Curious how online payments work behind the scenes? Explore our guide to sending money online to learn more.

The fastest ways to send money overseas from the UK

If speed is your main priority, there are 3 methods you can use to get your money moving faster. Let's break it down:

1. Transfers between friends with the same provider

This is the quickest international money transfer method. When both the sender and the recipient use the same app, the transfer doesn't need to leave that provider’s ecosystem, which can help save time.

At Revolut, transfers between our customers are generally instant. We can move the money from your account to a friend’s account in another country in seconds, regardless of the time of day or day of the week.

2. Local instant payment networks

Lots of countries have now adopted instant payment schemes similar to the UK’s Faster Payments. Using a service that prioritises these local systems is often the quickest way to transfer money internationally if you're sending it to someone who isn't with the same provider.

When you send money to Europe via Revolut, for example, we often use SEPA Instant. This allows euros to reach a recipient’s bank account in the EEA within seconds, provided their financial provider also supports the scheme.

3. Transfers to cards

A newer and increasingly popular option is sending money directly to a recipient’s debit or credit card. This method uses the global networks of card providers to push the money through. In many cases, these transfers arrive within minutes. It's an effective way to send money overseas if you don't have the recipient's full bank details but do have their card information.

Comparing international money transfer services

To help you decide which provider fits your needs, we've created a comparison table showing the estimated transfer speeds for common options available in the UK:

¹Transfer speeds depend on individual circumstances, including the destination country, currency, and any necessary security checks.

Why some transfers take longer than others

Even when using a fast international money transfer service, certain factors can occasionally cause delays. Understanding these can help you manage your expectations and plan your payments more effectively.

Security checks

As a regulated financial institution, we have a legal responsibility to protect your money and prevent financial crime. Every international money transfer is subject to automated security checks. If a transfer involves a very large sum, an unusual destination, or a new recipient, it may require a security check by our team. These checks are an important part of keeping the global financial system safe.

Financial provider cut-off times and public holidays

While our app operates 24/7, the receiving provider might not. Many financial providers still have processing cut-off times (often 3.00pm). If your money arrives at the receiving provider after this time, they may not credit the recipient’s account until the next business day. Similarly, local public holidays in the destination country can pause the processing of bank-to-bank transfers.

Incorrect recipient information

The speed of a transfer is often limited by the information you provide. Make sure you've filled in the correct IBAN, BIC/SWIFT code, or local routing numbers before you confirm a transfer. Mistakes can lead to your money being delayed or even returned.

How to choose the best way to transfer money internationally

When deciding how to transfer money abroad, you should balance speed with cost and convenience. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• Check the exchange rate: exchange rates vary by provider and can make a big difference in the cost of the transfer. We provide competitive rates and show you exactly what the recipient will receive before you confirm your payment.
• Look at the fees: check if you're paying a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer. For a breakdown on how to save on these costs, read our guide to the best way to change currency.
• Choose an easy method: the simplest way to send money internationally is through an app that stores your recipients' details and allows you to track your transfer in real-time.

How to send money internationally with Revolut

We've removed the friction of traditional bank transfers to give you an experience that's simple, easy, fast, and cost-effective. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the Revolut app: find us on the App Store or Google Play and complete the sign-up process.
2. Verify your identity: follow the in-app prompts to verify your account. You'll need to take a photo of your ID and a quick selfie.
3. Add money to your account: link your existing UK bank account or use a debit card to add money to your balance.
4. Initiate your transfer: navigate to Payments on the bottom menu, then tap the + symbol in the top-right corner. Choose an existing contact or fill in the details of a new recipient.
5. Review and send: enter the amount and currency. We'll show you the exchange rate, any applicable fees, and the estimated arrival time. Once you've double-checked everything, tap Send.

We'll automatically find the fastest available payment route available to make sure your money reaches its destination as quickly as possible.

Sources

• Western Union: How long do bank transfers take?
• Western Union: Quickest way to transfer money
• Wise: Mission update: speed
• MoneyGram: How long do international money transfers take?
• XE: Money transfer speeds

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 19 March 2026.

You should visit their websites for confirmation of their most updated costs and charges.

Please note that actual charges and services offered may change and vary depending on individual circumstances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting each provider’s official website.

This article and the information provided herein are not intended to constitute legal, regulatory advice.