NatWest international wire transfer: Fees, limits, and rates

NatWest is one of the leading business and commercial banks in the UK. They help their customers access international markets in Europe, Asia and the US.

One key service NatWest has is international wire transfers, but there are important fees and limits you need to be aware of.

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Table of contents

Can I make an international wire transfer with NatWest? NatWest international wire transfer fee NatWest exchange rates Make fast, secure and low cost international transfers with Wise How do you make a NatWest international wire transfer? What information do I need to make an international wire transfer? How long does an international wire transfer with NatWest take? What is the wire transfer limit for NatWest? NatWest contact information Natwest international wire transfer FAQs

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Can I make an international wire transfer with NatWest?

Yes, you can make international wire transfers with NatWest. There are 3 ways to do this:¹

• Mobile app
• Online banking
• Completing a form and returning it to a branch

International wire transfers are a quick and safe way to move money across borders. But there are some things to keep in mind:

• You need to be a NatWest customer to send a transfer
• To open a NatWest account, you must meet minimum age, residency, balance and/or deposit requirements²
• Online banking is available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest International account¹
• The app is available for customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a mobile number from eligible countries¹

If you pass NatWest's eligibility requirements, sending money abroad should be an easy process.

The eligibility requirements are quite detailed and can vary depending on the type of account you're opening, so it's a good idea to check with your local NatWest branch to see if you qualify.

NatWest international wire transfer fee

The NatWest international transfer fee depends on how you make the payment and where you're sending it.

Digital payments (excluding cards)

These fees apply to payments you make using online banking or the mobile app.¹

Payment type	Fee
EUR payments within the EEA	No charge
International payments	Free, plus 10 GBP agent charge where applicable

"EEA" includes the UK, Channel Islands, IOM, Gibraltar and any country within the European Economic Area.

Manual Payments (excluding cards)

These fees are for the payments you make by phone, letter or by visiting a branch.¹

Payment type	Fee
EUR payments within the EEA	No charge
International payments	0.3% (minimum fee 23 GBP, maximum fee 40 GBP), plus 10 GBP agents charge where applicable

Overall, NatWest international wire transfer fees are relatively affordable, especially when making a digital payment in EUR within the EEA.

Intermediary bank fees

Sometimes, NatWest might use intermediary banks to complete your transaction.

These banks act as middlemen in international transfers when there's no direct relationship between the sending and receiving banks.

These banks often charge their own fees, and they can increase the cost of your transfer. NatWest isn't responsible for these fees, so they're harder to predict.

NatWest exchange rates

When you make an international transfer with NatWest, you'll notice their currency exchange rate isn't as good as the mid-market exchange rate. This difference is how banks make money on currency conversion.

Intermediary banks usually don’t do conversions at the mid-market rate either.

Here's an example to show how this affects your transfer:
Let's say you're sending 1000 GBP to the US. The mid-market rate is 1 GBP = 1.25 USD. But NatWest offers 1 GBP = 1.20 USD. At the mid-market rate, your recipient would get 1,250 USD. With NatWest's rate, they'd get 1,200 USD. That's a 50 USD difference on a 1000 GBP transfer (that NatWest would pocket).

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How do you make a NatWest international wire transfer?

You can make a NatWest international wire transfer using the mobile app, online banking or by completing a form and visiting a branch.¹

Mobile app

1. Log in to the app
2. Select the account for the payment
3. Tap 'Payments'
4. Choose 'International payment'
5. Select 'Make an international payment'
6. Choose a payee or add a new one
7. Enter the amount (in foreign currency or GBP)
8. Choose payment date and fees
9. Add a reference (optional)
10. Review and confirm¹

If you want to send an international payment using the mobile app, you'll first need to make a payment using online banking. After the online banking payment goes through, you'll be able to start sending funds using the mobile app.

Online banking

1. Log into your account
2. Go to 'Payments & transfers' then 'International payments'
3. Choose the sending account and recipient
4. Enter the amount, choose charges and review the quote
5. Fill in payee details (name, address, account info)
6. Add any additional details (reference, message to payee)
7. Review all details
8. Complete the security check and confirm the payment¹

Form/branch visit

NatWest offers an interactive payment request form. You can send this by post or bring it to a branch.¹

What information do I need to make an international wire transfer?

To make an international payment, you'll need the recipient's:¹

• Full name and address
• Bank name and address
• Bank Identifier Code (SWIFT BIC)
• International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or account number
• National Clearing Code (NCC) for payments without an IBAN

💡 Learn more about international wire transfer instructions in our full guide.

How long does an international wire transfer with NatWest take?

NatWest doesn't provide exact time frames on their website. Typically, international wires take 1-5 business days. Sometimes, it can take longer because of:

• Time zone differences
• Bank holidays
• Additional security checks

Be aware of cut-off times. If you initiate your transfer after the daily cut-off, it'll be processed the next business day. This can increase the NatWest international wire transfer time.

What is the wire transfer limit for NatWest?

For digital payments (online or mobile app), the maximum amount is 20,000 GBP or currency equivalent. For manual payments (phone, branch or letter), there's no set maximum amount.¹

Keep in mind that if you're sending an abnormally large amount of money, you may need to submit additional documents to explain the purpose of your transfer.

NatWest contact information

NatWest uses a digital chatbot Cora to answer banking questions. You can chat with Cora anytime online. If she can't help, she'll connect you with a real person.

You can also find FAQs on NatWest's contact page.

Natwest international wire transfer FAQs

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What is the SWIFT code for NatWest international transfers?

The SWIFT code for NatWest is NWBKGB2LXXX. This code helps identify NatWest in the global banking network. If you're sending an international wire, you'll also need your recipient's SWIFT code.

How much does NatWest charge for international bank transfers?

NatWest international transfer fee depends on the transfer method and destination.

Digital transfers (online or app) are free, with a possible 10 GBP agent charge if you're sending money outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). Manual transfers (phone, branch, letter) are free for EUR transfers within the EEA but cost 0.3% (23 GBP minimum, 40 GBT maximum), plus a possible 10 GBP agent charge, for all other transfers.¹

How to find IBAN and SWIFT code for NatWest?

You should be able to find your NatWest IBAN and SWIFT code in your online banking portal or mobile app. If you can't find them, contact NatWest customer service for help.

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A NatWest international wire transfer can be a good way to send money abroad if you have an account with the bank.

Their transfer fees depend on where you're sending money and how, but are generally relatively affordable. However, you may lose money on currency exchange rates.

Wise allows you to send high-speed transfers to 160+ countries with no exchange rate markups, making it simple and secure to move your money.

Get started with Wise

Sources

1. NatWest - Sending money abroad
2. NatWest - International bank accounts

Sources checked 10.11.2024