Sending money abroad from Greece through Eurobank is something many people do, whether it’s paying a contractor overseas, sending family support, or buying gear from a foreign supplier. This guide walks through the practical options, timeframes, costs, and step‑by‑step instructions for 2026 so readers can pick the fastest, cheapest, or most secure route for their needs. It avoids banking jargon where possible and flags when a transfer needs extra care or a pro.
Key Takeaways
- Eurobank international money transfers from Greece primarily use SEPA for EUR transfers within Europe and SWIFT for other currencies or countries, with SEPA being faster and cheaper.
- To avoid delays, always verify and enter the beneficiary’s IBAN, BIC/SWIFT code, full name, and address accurately when sending money abroad through Eurobank.
- Fees vary depending on the transfer method: SEPA transfers often cost less than €5, while SWIFT transfers can have higher fees from Eurobank and intermediary banks.
- For recurring international payments, setting up SEPA direct debits or standing orders through Eurobank ensures greater reliability than manual transfers.
- Consider alternative remittance services or FX brokers for smaller, frequent, or large transfers, as they may offer better exchange rates and lower costs than Eurobank.
- Use the appropriate fee options (OUR, SHA, BEN) carefully to control who bears transfer charges and keep transaction references to track and troubleshoot payments.
How Eurobank International Money Transfers Work: Options And Players
Eurobank offers three main international transfer routes readers should know about: SEPA, SWIFT (also called international wire), and third‑party/partner payment rails (e.g., online remittance services integrated into bank channels).
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SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area): For EUR transfers between bank accounts inside the SEPA zone. SEPA is usually the cheapest, often free or low‑fee, and settles in 1 business day when sent as a SEPA Credit Transfer. It requires the beneficiary’s IBAN.
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SWIFT / International Wire: For non‑SEPA currencies or when sending outside the SEPA area. SWIFT uses BIC/SWIFT codes and correspondent banks. Transfers can take 1–5 business days, depending on currency corridors and intermediary banks.
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Partner rails & remittance integrations: Eurobank sometimes lets customers send or receive funds via payment partners (instant card payouts, money‑transfer companies) from within e‑banking or the branch. These can be faster or cheaper for smaller amounts.
Who’s involved:
- Originator: the Eurobank account holder who instructs the payment.
- Sending bank: Eurobank, applies its fee and exchange margin if converting currency.
- Correspondent/intermediary banks: used on SWIFT transfers: each may deduct fees.
- Beneficiary bank: receives the funds and may charge an incoming fee.
Practical notes:
- Use IBAN + BIC/SWIFT and the beneficiary’s full name and address exactly as the receiving bank requires. Mistyped details cause delays or returns.
- For EUR invoices inside EU, always choose SEPA. For USD, GBP, or local currencies outside SEPA, use SWIFT or partner rails.
- For recurring payments (rent, contractor fees), set up a SEPA direct debit or standing order where possible, it’s more reliable than repeated manual transfers.
Costs, Exchange Rates, Limits And Timing — What To Expect
Costs and timing vary by route, currency and chosen fee option (OUR, SHA, BEN on SWIFT). Here’s a practical breakdown readers can use when budgeting a transfer.
Fees (typical ranges and what they mean):
- SEPA: Often €0–€5 from Eurobank for standard SEPA credit transfers: confirm in the bank’s current tariff. Many Eurobank accounts include a number of free SEPA transfers per month.
- SWIFT outgoing fee: Usually €15–€40 from Eurobank for an outgoing international wire. Intermediary banks can deduct €5–€30 each. Ask the bank whether they use OUR (sender pays all), SHA (shared), or BEN (beneficiary pays) charge codes.
- Incoming fee: Beneficiary bank fees vary: budget €10–€30 or equivalent.
- Remittance partner fees: Often fixed or percentage‑based: sometimes cheaper for small amounts.
Exchange rates and margins:
- Eurobank will apply a currency conversion margin above the mid‑market rate when sending or paying out in a foreign currency. Margins typically range 0.5%–3%, depending on currency and amount.
- For large transfers, consider asking for a brokered FX rate or using a specialist FX provider, they often beat bank margins.
Limits and documentation:
- Eurobank imposes daily/transaction limits: these depend on account type and channel (branch vs e‑banking). For larger amounts, the bank may require proof of funds, invoice, or tax ID (AML/KYC checks). If a transfer exceeds the e‑banking limit, the branch can process it.
Timing expectations:
- SEPA: 0–1 business day.
- SWIFT: 1–5 business days: longer if intermediaries are involved or if the recipient bank requires manual processing.
- Instant services: Minutes to hours for supported corridors (may carry higher fees).
Practical tip: Always add a small buffer to expected delivery time for weekends, public holidays in either country, and currency settlement windows.
Step‑By‑Step: Sending Money Abroad With Eurobank (Online, In‑Branch, And SWIFT)
This section gives clear, numbered steps for each common method. Readers should have ID and beneficiary details ready before starting.
A. Sending by Eurobank e‑Banking (Winbank / Eurobank e‑Banking):
- Log in to Eurobank e‑Banking using credentials and 2FA. If not enrolled, register at the branch or online first.
- Choose “Payments” → “International Payments” or “SEPA Payment.” Select currency and payment type.
- Enter the beneficiary’s IBAN (for SEPA) or account number + BIC/SWIFT (for SWIFT), full name and address, and reason for payment.
- Select fee option (if presented): OUR (payer), SHA (shared), BEN (beneficiary). Note: OUR avoids intermediary deductions but costs more.
- Review exchange rate, fees, and estimated delivery time. Confirm with the dynamic FX quote if converting.
- Authenticate the transfer via OTP/push notification. Save the confirmation and transaction reference for tracking.
B. Sending in‑branch:
- Bring valid ID (passport or Greek ID), account details, beneficiary’s IBAN/BIC and invoice if requested.
- Fill the bank’s foreign transfer form or request teller assistance. Ask the teller to show the tariff and whether intermediaries are involved.
- Choose fee handling (OUR/SHA/BEN) and sign. Keep the receipt and SWIFT reference (MT103) for follow‑up.
C. SWIFT specifics (when needed):
- Use SWIFT for non‑EUR transfers or when the beneficiary’s country isn’t in SEPA.
- Expect additional intermediary bank fees and possible currency conversion at correspondent banks.
- For high‑value or urgent wires, tell the branch to prioritize and provide supporting documents to speed AML checks.
Checklist before sending:
- Confirm beneficiary details (IBAN/BIC) and spelling.
- Know the transfer purpose (required for AML) and have supporting documentation for large sums.
- Check whether the recipient bank charges incoming fees, and consider asking the beneficiary to use an account that waives incoming fees.
Troubleshooting, Safety Tips, And When To Consider Alternatives
Troubleshooting common issues:
- Delay or missing funds: Use the SWIFT reference (MT103) to trace the payment. Contact Eurobank with the reference and expected value date.
- Partial amount received: An intermediary bank likely deducted fees. Ask for a cost breakdown and consider sending with OUR next time.
- Returned transfer: Wrong IBAN/BIC or beneficiary details often cause this. Reissue the payment after confirming details.
Safety tips (always follow these):
- Verify beneficiary identity by calling a known number or using a trusted channel: don’t rely only on email instructions that could be spoofed.
- Keep transaction receipts and SWIFT refs until the beneficiary confirms receipt.
- Beware of scams: never send money for unexpected fees, prizes, or job offers. If a deal feels rushed or pressured, pause and verify.
- PPE for paperwork? Not relevant here, but treat passwords, tokens and devices as tools: keep them secure.
When to consider alternatives to Eurobank:
- Cost: For small, frequent transfers, specialist remittance services (Wise, Revolut, CurrencyFair) can be cheaper and faster. They often use real‑time mid‑market FX and lower fixed fees.
- Large sums: An FX broker or bank’s FX desk can offer better exchange rates and hedging tools (forward contracts) than standard retail rates.
- Speed: Instant payout rails and card‑based payouts from payment partners may deliver funds within minutes.
When to consult a professional:
- When transfers are structural (property purchase abroad, large contractor payments), consult an accountant or lawyer to ensure correct tax reporting and compliance.
- For structuring repeated international payroll or supplier payments, a payments consultant can help reduce fees and manage currency risk.
Conclusion
Eurobank provides straightforward SEPA and SWIFT routes for sending money abroad from Greece. For most people, SEPA is the fastest and cheapest for EUR transfers inside Europe: SWIFT handles other currencies and destinations but brings extra fees and intermediaries. Before sending, confirm IBAN/BIC, pick the fee option with eyes open, and keep proof of payment. For frequent, small, or high‑value transfers, compare bank costs with specialist FX or remittance services, small savings per transfer add up quickly.