Metro Bank international transfer: fees, rates and times

Need to send money abroad with Metro Bank? If you’re looking into making a Metro Bank international transfer, the main things to check are how to set it up, what it costs, and how long it may take.

This guide covers everything you need to know, including info on Metro Bank's current transfer fees, timing, the recipient details you’ll need, and exchange rates. That matters because the headline fee is only one part of the total cost, and the exchange rate used can change how much the recipient actually gets.

We’ll also introduce Wise as a smart alternative for international transfers – with over 18.9 million people worldwide moving £52 billion each quarter.

With Wise you get low, transparent fees, mid-market exchange rates, and secure, trackable transfers, with dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts. On a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

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How do you make an international bank transfer with Metro Bank?

If you have a personal account with Metro Bank, you have three options for making an international transfer:

• Using the Metro Bank app
• Pop into a Metro Bank branch in store
• Make your transfer over the phone if you're set up with telephone banking.

Here's a general step by step guide on how to make a transfer using the Metro Bank app:

1. Open your Metro Bank app and sign in to your account.
2. Tap ‘Payments’.
3. Choose an account for the payment.
4. Tap ‘Choose Payee’ and select from the list or tap + to create a new payee.
5. Fill in the payment details.
6. Tap ‘Make Payment’ and then ‘Confirm’.

You can only send EUR, GBP and USD in the app, and only to limited countries.¹ If you need another currency or country, you’ll need to call Metro Bank or visit a store.

A common question is whether the app works for every overseas payment. Unfortunately, it doesn’t - because Metro Bank keeps app transfers to a narrower set of currencies and destinations than its phone and in store options.

Read more: Metro Bank large transfers and transfer limits

What do I need to make an international money transfer?

Here are the bank details you need to send money abroad:

• The recipient bank's name and address
• The recipient bank's SWIFT/BIC
• The recipient's IBAN or account number
• The recipient's full name and address
• The purpose of the payment
• The currency and amount to be transferred.

How to receive an international payment with Metro Bank

To receive money from abroad, give the sender your Metro Bank BIC (MYMBGB2LXXX) and your IBAN. You can find your IBAN in the app, in online banking, or on your statement.

If the payment arrives in a different currency from your account, Metro Bank says it will convert the funds using its exchange rate, and that rate includes a 3% margin.²

If the money is paid into a Foreign Currency Account, Metro Bank says it charges €5 EUR per transaction to a Euro account or $8 USD to a Dollar account.²

Intermediary banks may also deduct fees before the money reaches you, which means the final amount can be lower than the amount the sender sent.

How long does an international bank transfer with Metro Bank take?

The time it takes for your international bank transfer to arrive depends on the payment type, the destination, and when the payment is submitted:²

• SEPA payments (in EUR to EEA) usually arrive within 1 to 2 working days.
• SWIFT payments within Europe usually arrive the same working day but can take up to 5 days
• SWIFT payments outside Europe are usually received within 2 to 5 working days.

Payments submitted by 2pm in store or through the call centre are processed the same day. After 2pm, or on weekends and bank holidays, they are processed on the next working day.²

What are the fees for an international transfer with Metro Bank in the UK?

Here are the main Metro Bank international payment charges for UK personal customers:²

Metro Bank also advises that intermediary and/or recipient banks may deduct fees from the amount sent. This means that the person receiving the payment may get less than the transfer amount, even when Metro Bank's own fee has already been charged.

SEPA is Metro Bank's route for euro payments to participating countries. SWIFT is used for many other international payments, which is why the fee level and delivery path can be different.

Metro Bank exchange rates and margin

Metro Bank offers an indicative exchange rate before you send the payment. However, the rate can move before the transfer is processed, so the final rate may be different from the one first shown.

A standard 3% margin applies on transactions that include a foreign exchange conversion, and that this margin is built into both the indicative and final exchange rate.²

This is different from themid-market rate, which is a reference rate used to compare prices across providers. If the bank's rate is weaker than the mid-market rate, that difference becomes part of the overall cost of the transfer.

How to contact Metro Bank

If you need help with an international payment, you can contact Metro Bank in three main ways:

• Call 0345 08 08 500²
• Visit a local store using Metro Bank's store locator
• Use Live Chat through Metro Bank's website if you prefer online support.

If your payment is delayed or returned, it helps to have the payment date, amount, currency and recipient details ready before you contact support.

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Send international transfers without hidden fees with Wise

When you’re comparing international transfer providers, it's worth focusing on the total cost of the payment rather than any single fee. A provider that appears cheaper upfront may not always offer the best overall value.

Banks and other providers may claim to have “no fees” but they could be adding a sneaky mark-up to their exchange rate. This can impact your budget by up to 2% when sending money abroad. On a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

Wise has built its own payment network that allows customers to send money internationally for less. You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate (close to the one you see on Google) with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees.

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**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.

Wise is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), so features like Interest and Stocks may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For standard cash balances, we safeguard your funds to meet regulatory obligations.

In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).

We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.

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Metro Bank international transfer FAQs

How much does Metro Bank charge for an international transfer?

For personal customers, SEPA payments in euros costs £0.20, or the equivalent from a Foreign Currency Account.

SWIFT payments cost £25 from a GBP account, $25 from a USD account, or €20 from a Euro account. Intermediary or recipient bank fees may also apply.²

How long does a Metro Bank international transfer take?

SEPA payments with Metro Bank usually arrive within 1 to 2 working days. SWIFT payments within Europe usually arrive the same working day but can take up to 5 days, and payments outside Europe are usually received within 2 to 5 working days.²

What details do I need to send money abroad with Metro Bank?

You’ll usually need the recipient's full name and registered address, their bank name and address, their IBAN or account number, their SWIFT/BIC, the payment purpose, and the currency and amount.

If you’re sure whether you need an IBAN or an account number, the key question is what the receiving country and bank require, because some banks will reject the payment if the format is wrong.

Does Metro Bank charge an exchange rate margin?

Yes. Metro Bank applies a standard 3% margin when a transfer or incoming payment includes foreign exchange, and that margin is already included in the rate it shows you.²

How do I receive an international payment with Metro Bank?

To receive an international payment, give the sender your full name and registered address, your account number or IBAN, Metro Bank's bank name and address, and the SWIFT/BIC code.

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Sources used:

1. Metro Bank - Metro Bank App
2. Metro Bank - International payments – personal accounts

Sources last checked 24-Jul-2026