The basic steps to withdraw from Wise
To transfer money from your Wise account to your bank account, you log into the Wise app or website, select the balance you want to move, choose your bank account as the destination, and confirm the transfer. Wise then sends the money to your bank using the standard payment rail for your country—ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe, or the local equivalent elsewhere. The money arrives in your bank account within one to three business days in most cases, though some banks take longer to process incoming transfers.
You do not need to set up anything special beforehand if your bank account is already linked to your Wise account. If it is not, you will need to add it first by providing your account number, routing number (in the US), and confirming a small test deposit that Wise sends to verify ownership.
Wise charges no fee to withdraw to a bank account in your own name in the same country where you hold the account. If you are transferring to a different country, Wise applies its standard international transfer fee, which varies by currency pair and amount.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals from Wise to your own bank account in the same country are free and take one to three business days.
- You must link your bank account to Wise first, which requires your account and routing numbers and a verification deposit.
- International transfers from Wise to a bank account in another country incur Wise's standard fee, shown before you confirm.
- The transfer uses your country's standard payment system (ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe), so timing depends partly on your bank's processing speed.
Linking your bank account to Wise for the first time
When you add a bank account to Wise, the app asks for your full name, account number, and routing number (US) or equivalent identifier for your country. Wise then sends two small deposits—usually under $1—to that account over one to two business days. You log back into Wise, enter the exact amounts of those two deposits, and your account is verified.
This verification step protects both you and Wise: it confirms you own the account and that the account details are correct. Until you complete it, you cannot withdraw to that account. Once verified, the account stays linked and you can use it for future transfers without repeating the process.
If you have already linked your account and forgotten, you can see all your linked bank accounts in the Wise app under Settings or Account Details. The app shows the last four digits of each account and which country it is in.
What happens during the transfer and how long it takes
After you confirm a withdrawal, Wise deducts the money from your Wise balance immediately. The transfer then enters your country's payment system—the ACH network in the US, SEPA in the EU, Faster Payments in the UK, or the equivalent in other countries. Your bank receives the transfer instruction and processes it according to its own schedule.
Most US banks post ACH transfers within one business day of receipt, though some take two. UK Faster Payments usually arrive the same day or next business day. SEPA transfers in Europe typically arrive within one to two business days. Weekend and holiday delays are common: a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday.
You can check the status of a transfer in the Wise app under your transaction history. Wise shows when the transfer was sent and, once your bank processes it, when it arrived. If a transfer does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact Wise support with the transaction ID and your bank's name—Wise can trace it on the payment network.
Fees and exchange rates for withdrawals
Domestic withdrawals—moving money from Wise to a bank account in the same country—are free. You pay nothing to Wise for the transfer itself. If you are converting currency before you withdraw (for example, converting USD to GBP in your Wise account before sending it to a UK bank), Wise charges its standard conversion fee, which is built into the exchange rate you see. That fee varies by currency pair but is typically 0.4% to 2%.
International withdrawals—sending money from Wise to a bank account in a different country—incur a fixed fee that depends on the destination country and currency. Wise shows this fee on the confirmation screen before you complete the transfer, so you always know the cost upfront. The fee is deducted from the amount you are sending, not added on top.
If you are moving money between your own Wise balances in different currencies before withdrawing, those conversions also use Wise's exchange rate and conversion fee. The cheapest path is usually to hold the currency you need in Wise and withdraw it directly without converting.
What to do if a transfer does not arrive
If your bank account does not show the transfer within the expected timeframe, first check your Wise transaction history to confirm the transfer was actually sent. Look for the transaction ID, the amount, the destination account, and the date it was initiated. Then log into your bank account and search for any pending or failed transfers—some banks hold transfers for a day or two before posting them.
If your bank shows nothing, contact Wise support through the app with the transaction ID. Wise can check whether the transfer reached your bank's payment processor. If it did, the delay is on your bank's end and you should contact your bank with the transfer details. If it did not, Wise can investigate whether the account details were incorrect or whether the transfer was rejected by the payment network.
Reversals are rare but can happen if your account number was entered wrong or if your bank rejected the transfer for a technical reason. Wise will refund the money to your Wise balance if the transfer bounces back. This usually takes three to five business days after the rejection.
Transferring to someone else's bank account
Wise is designed for transfers to your own bank accounts only. You cannot use Wise to send money directly to another person's bank account as a withdrawal. If you need to send money to someone else, you have two options: use Wise's international transfer service (which is a different product from withdrawals and requires the recipient's bank details), or withdraw the money to your own bank account first and then send it from there using your bank's transfer tools.
The international transfer service through Wise works differently from a withdrawal: you enter the recipient's name, bank account, and bank details, and Wise sends the money on your behalf. This service charges a fee and may take longer than a domestic withdrawal, depending on the destination country. You can access this from the main Wise app by selecting "Send Money" rather than "Withdraw."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw to a bank account in a different country than where I live?
Yes, but only if you own that account. Wise allows withdrawals to any bank account in your name. International withdrawals charge a fee based on the destination country and currency. The transfer uses that country's payment system, so timing depends on where the account is located.
What if I enter the wrong account number when I set up the withdrawal?
Wise asks you to verify your account details before you confirm the transfer. If you catch the error before confirming, you can cancel and re-enter the correct details. If the transfer already went out, contact Wise support immediately with the transaction ID. Wise can sometimes recall the transfer if your bank has not yet processed it, but this depends on timing and your bank's policies.
Does Wise charge a fee if I withdraw to a US bank account?
No. Withdrawals to a US bank account in your name are free. You pay nothing to Wise for the transfer. If you converted currency within Wise before withdrawing, you paid the conversion fee at that time, not at withdrawal.
How do I know if my bank account is verified in Wise?
Open the Wise app, go to Settings or Account Details, and look for your linked bank accounts. Verified accounts show a checkmark or "verified" label. If your account shows "pending verification," you still need to confirm the two test deposits Wise sent.
Can I set up automatic withdrawals from Wise to my bank account?
Wise does not offer automatic recurring withdrawals. Each transfer must be initiated manually through the app or website. You can withdraw as often as you want, but you have to start each one yourself.