The basic steps to withdraw from Wise
To withdraw money from your Wise account to a bank account, you log into the Wise app or website, select the currency balance you want to move, choose "Send money" or "Withdraw", and enter your bank details. Wise then processes the transfer using either a local payment method (ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe) or an international wire, depending on which currency you're withdrawing and where your bank is located. The money arrives in your bank account within one to three business days for domestic transfers, or three to five business days for international ones.
You do not need to set up anything special beforehand—Wise stores your bank information once you enter it the first time, so future withdrawals are faster. The app shows you the exact fee before you confirm, and that fee is deducted from the amount you send, not added on top.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals from Wise to a bank account take one to three business days domestically and three to five days internationally, with fees shown before you confirm.
- Wise uses ACH transfers in the US and SEPA transfers in Europe for domestic withdrawals, which are cheaper than international wires.
- You can withdraw from any currency balance in your Wise account, but converting to your local currency first usually costs less than withdrawing in a foreign currency.
- Wise holds your bank details securely after the first withdrawal, so you can repeat transfers without re-entering account information each time.
Domestic versus international withdrawals
If your bank account is in the same country as your Wise account currency, the transfer is domestic and uses the cheaper local method. A US withdrawal uses ACH (Automated Clearing House), which costs between $0 and $3 depending on your Wise plan and takes one to three business days. A UK or European withdrawal uses SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area), which costs €0.50 to €2 and takes one to three business days.
If your bank is in a different country from the currency you're withdrawing, Wise sends an international wire. This costs more—typically $3 to $8—and takes three to five business days. To avoid this, convert your money to your local currency first within Wise, then withdraw. The conversion fee is built into Wise's exchange rate, and you pay it once instead of paying both a conversion fee and a wire fee.
Converting currency before you withdraw
Wise holds balances in multiple currencies. If you have USD but your bank account is in GBP, you can convert the USD to GBP inside Wise at Wise's mid-market rate plus a small markup (usually 0.5 to 2 percent), then withdraw the GBP domestically. This is cheaper than withdrawing USD internationally and having your bank convert it on the other end, because banks charge wider markups and may add their own wire fees.
To convert, open the Wise app, select the currency balance, tap "Convert", choose the target currency, and confirm. The conversion happens instantly. Then proceed to withdraw as normal. You can see the exact conversion rate and fee before you confirm, so there are no surprises.
Fees and timing by transfer type
| Transfer Type | Cost | Timing | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| US ACH (domestic) | $0–$3 | 1–3 business days | Withdrawing USD to a US bank account |
| SEPA (domestic Europe) | €0.50–€2 | 1–3 business days | Withdrawing EUR to a European bank account |
| International wire | $3–$8 | 3–5 business days | Withdrawing to a bank in a different country |
| Currency conversion + domestic withdrawal | 0.5–2% markup on exchange rate + domestic fee | Instant conversion + 1–3 business days | Withdrawing a foreign currency to your home country |
Wise's fees are transparent and shown in the app before you confirm. Some Wise plans (like Wise Premium) include a certain number of free transfers per month, so check your plan details if you withdraw often.
What happens if the withdrawal fails or is delayed
If your bank rejects the transfer, Wise refunds the money to your Wise account within one to two business days. This usually happens because the bank details you entered are incorrect, the account is closed, or the account holder's name does not match the name on your Wise account. Check the rejection notice Wise sends you—it will say why the bank refused it.
If a transfer is simply slow, Wise shows you the status in the app. Domestic transfers rarely take longer than three business days; if yours does, contact Wise support with the transaction ID and they can investigate. International wires can take up to five business days, especially if your bank or the receiving bank is in a country with slower payment systems.
Saving your bank details for future withdrawals
After your first successful withdrawal, Wise saves your bank account details. The next time you withdraw, you can select that account from a list instead of typing everything again. You can also add multiple bank accounts to your Wise profile—useful if you have accounts at different banks or in different countries. To add a new account, go to your Wise settings, select "Bank accounts", and enter the new details.
Wise encrypts your bank information and does not share it with third parties. Your bank details are used only to receive transfers you initiate from Wise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it actually take for money to show up in my bank account?
Domestic transfers (ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe) usually arrive within one to three business days. International wires take three to five business days. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed, not just Wise's. Weekends and holidays add extra days, so a Friday withdrawal might not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Can I withdraw money on the weekend?
You can initiate a withdrawal on the weekend through the Wise app anytime, but the transfer itself does not process until the next business day. So a Saturday withdrawal starts processing Monday morning and arrives by Wednesday at the earliest for domestic transfers.
What if I enter the wrong bank account number?
Wise validates bank account numbers before you send, so it will reject obviously wrong numbers. If you enter a valid number that belongs to someone else, the receiving bank may reject it and send the money back to Wise, which refunds you within one to two business days. Always double-check the account number and routing number before confirming.
Do I pay tax on money I withdraw from Wise?
Withdrawing your own money from Wise is not a taxable event. However, if you earned income through Wise (for example, by receiving payments from clients), that income is taxable in your country. Wise does not report your withdrawals to tax authorities, but you are responsible for reporting any income you received.
Can I set up automatic recurring withdrawals?
Wise does not offer automatic recurring withdrawals. You must initiate each withdrawal manually through the app or website. However, because Wise saves your bank details, repeating a withdrawal takes only a few taps.