Wise charges a transparent percentage fee plus a small fixed fee on each transfer — and uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup. That combination is almost always cheaper than a bank wire or PayPal for international transfers. Here is the complete fee breakdown for 2026.
How Wise Fees Work
Wise fees have two components:
- Fixed fee — a small flat amount (typically $0.50–$2.00) charged regardless of transfer size
- Variable fee — a percentage of the transfer amount, depending on currency corridor and payment method
Both are shown upfront before you send. There are no surprise fees and no exchange rate markup.
Transfer Fees by Payment Method
Your funding method significantly affects the total fee:
| Funding method | Typical variable fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer (ACH) | 0.43%–0.7% | Cheapest; takes 1–3 days to fund |
| Debit card | 0.9%–1.5% | Faster funding; slightly higher fee |
| Credit card | 1.5%–2.5%+ | Highest cost; card may also treat as cash advance |
Tip: Use ACH bank transfer to minimize fees on large transfers. For small, urgent transfers, debit card may be worth the extra cost.
Fee Examples by Corridor (2026)
| Sending | Receiving | Amount | Wise fee (bank transfer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | EUR | $1,000 | ~$5.16 |
| USD | EUR | $2,000 | ~$10.32 |
| USD | GBP | $1,000 | ~$5.80 |
| USD | CAD | $1,000 | ~$7.40 |
| USD | MXN | $1,000 | ~$9.50 |
| USD | INR | $1,000 | ~$9.00 |
| USD | PHP | $1,000 | ~$8.80 |
Fees are approximate and vary by date. Always check the Wise calculator before sending.
Worked example: Sending $3,000 USD to EUR
- Wise fee (bank transfer, ACH): ~$14.50
- Mid-market rate: e.g., 0.9180
- Recipient receives: approximately €2,732
Same transfer by bank wire:
- Wire fee: $30–$45
- Bank exchange rate (2.5% markup): 0.8955
- Recipient receives: approximately €2,636
Wise advantage: ~€96 more received at a lower total cost.
Currency Conversion Fees (Within Your Wise Account)
When you convert currencies you already hold in your Wise account:
| Currency pair | Conversion fee |
|---|---|
| USD ↔ EUR | ~0.43% |
| USD ↔ GBP | ~0.45% |
| USD ↔ CAD | ~0.57% |
| USD ↔ AUD | ~0.52% |
| Exotic pairs | 1.0%–2.5% |
You can convert any time at the mid-market rate plus the fee. This is useful when you hold a balance in one currency and need to pay in another.
Wise Debit Card Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card issuance (one-time) | ~$9 |
| Monthly fee | $0 |
| Spending in home currency | $0 |
| Spending in foreign currency (up to ~$200/mo equivalent) | $0 |
| Spending in foreign currency (above ~$200/mo equivalent) | 0.5% |
| ATM withdrawal (first 2/month, up to $100 total) | $0 |
| ATM withdrawal (after free tier) | 1.75% + $1.50 |
Incoming Transfer Fees
Receiving money to your Wise account via local bank transfer is free for most currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD). Incoming international wires (SWIFT) may incur a small receiving fee (~$4.14 for USD).
How Wise Compares to Banks and PayPal
| Wise | US Bank Wire | PayPal International | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat fee | ~$1–$2 fixed | $25–$45 | $0–$4.99 (capped) |
| Variable fee | 0.43%–2% | None | 5% of amount |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market | +2–4% markup | +3–4% markup |
| Total cost on $2,000 transfer | ~$12–$15 | ~$55–$100 | ~$70–$100 |
For the full comparison, see Wise vs PayPal.
Avoiding Wise Fees
- Use ACH bank transfer — always the cheapest funding method
- Convert in bulk — fewer conversions = fewer fixed fees
- Stay within the free ATM tier — 2 withdrawals/month up to $100 combined
- Hold the destination currency — convert when the rate is favorable, then hold and send later
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The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy