What Bank Details Do You Need to Transfer Money?
What details are needed for money transfer? The answer depends entirely on where the money is going. For a domestic UK transfer, you need a sort code and account number. For an international transfer, the requirements expand: IBAN, SWIFT/BIC code, and sometimes the recipient's bank address. Get any of these wrong and the transfer either bounces back or, in the worst case, lands in the wrong account with no easy way to retrieve it.
The good news is that the information you need is standardised -- the same fields apply regardless of which bank or transfer service you use. Once you understand what each piece of information is and where to find it, you can complete any bank transfer with confidence. Specialist services like Wise and Remitly also simplify the process significantly by telling you exactly what do you need for a money transfer to each specific country.
Getting the details right also matters for cost. Banks and transfer services cannot confirm the recipient's identity from account details alone in all cases -- a typo in an IBAN or sort code can result in money being sent to a random stranger's account, and recovery is neither quick nor guaranteed. The UK's Confirmation of Payee system helps catch mismatches on domestic transfers, but no equivalent exists for most international transfers.
This guide covers exactly what details do you need to send money -- whether you are paying a friend in the UK, sending money to a family member abroad, or making a business payment to another country. It also covers what to do if you are missing some of the required information, and how specialist services make the process simpler than going through your bank.
What bank details are needed to send money within the UK?
For a domestic UK bank transfer, the details are needed for money transfer are straightforward. You need three pieces of information:
- Sort code: a 6-digit number written in the format XX-XX-XX. The sort code identifies the recipient's bank and branch. Every UK bank account has a unique sort code. You can find your own on your bank card, bank statement, or online banking app.
- Account number: an 8-digit number that identifies the specific account within that bank. Together with the sort code, this uniquely pinpoints where the money should go. Never confuse this with a card number (16 digits) -- they are completely different.
- Account holder name: the full name on the account. UK banks now run Confirmation of Payee (CoP) checks, which verify whether the name matches the sort code and account number. If it does not match, you will receive a warning before sending.
You may also want to include a payment reference, a short note (your name, invoice number, or purpose) so the recipient can identify the payment. This is optional but useful, especially for business payments or rent. Always double-check the sort code and account number before confirming, these cannot be corrected once the payment is sent, and recovering money sent to the wrong account is not guaranteed.
What details are needed for money transfer internationally?
International money transfers require more information than domestic ones. The exact requirements vary by country, but the core set of details needed for money transfer abroad typically includes:
- IBAN (International Bank Account Number): used across Europe and many other countries. The IBAN combines the country code, check digits, bank code, and account number into a single string. UK IBANs are 22 characters long (e.g. GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19). Most European IBANs are 20-27 characters.
- SWIFT/BIC code: an 8 or 11 character code identifying the recipient's bank globally. SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code. They are the same thing. Example: NWBKGB2L (NatWest UK).
- Recipient's full name: as it appears on their bank account. Middle names should be included if they are on the account.
- Recipient's bank name and address: required by some banks and countries. The bank's full legal name and headquarters address, not a branch address.
- Recipient's address: some countries and banks require the recipient's home address for compliance purposes, particularly for larger amounts.
- Purpose of payment: required for some destinations (India, China) or for transfers above certain thresholds. A brief code or description: 'family support', 'invoice payment', 'personal savings'.
Not all of these are required for every international transfer. SEPA transfers within Europe only require an IBAN, no SWIFT code needed. Transfers to the US require a routing number and account number rather than an IBAN. Transfers to some Asian countries use local bank codes. Specialist services like Wise and Remitly tell you exactly what do you need for money transfer to each specific destination, which removes the guesswork entirely.
What bank details are needed by country?
The table below shows what details are needed for money transfer to the most common destination countries from the UK. This applies whether you are using your bank or a specialist transfer service.
Destination | Details required | Format/notes |
|---|---|---|
Europe (SEPA zone) | IBAN, recipient name | IBANs vary by country (20-27 chars) |
United States | Routing number (9 digits), account number, recipient name | No IBAN -- US uses ABA routing numbers |
India | Account number, IFSC code (11 chars), recipient name, purpose code | IFSC identifies the bank branch |
Philippines | Account number, bank name, recipient name | Or GCash/Maya mobile number for digital wallets |
Australia | BSB code (6 digits), account number, recipient name | BSB = Bank State Branch |
Canada | Transit number (5 digits), institution number (3 digits), account number | Combined = 9-digit routing number |
UAE | IBAN (23 chars, starts AE), SWIFT code, recipient name | SWIFT required alongside IBAN |
Nigeria | Account number (10 digits), bank name, recipient name | NUBAN format -- all accounts 10 digits |
China | Bank account number, SWIFT/CNAPS code, recipient name and address | Purpose of payment often required |
Mexico | CLABE (18 digits), recipient name | CLABE replaces account number + bank code |
What do you need for a money transfer with Wise?
What do you need for a money transfer with Wise? Less than you would expect. Wise guides you through exactly what information is needed for each destination country, and its interface adjusts the form fields based on your chosen destination -- so you are never asked for an IBAN when the destination country uses a routing number, or vice versa.
For most transfers, Wise asks for: the recipient's name, their bank account details (in the format appropriate for the destination country), and your payment amount and currency. You do not need to look up SWIFT codes or figure out which format applies -- Wise handles that for you. For international transfers where the bank details are unclear, Wise also accepts email-based delivery for some destinations, where the recipient is notified and enters their own details.
Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee of 0.4%-2%, making it one of the cheapest ways to send money internationally. Compare this to a UK bank SWIFT transfer: GBP 15-25 flat fee plus a 2-4% exchange rate margin -- often GBP 40-60 in total costs on a GBP 1,000 transfer. What details do you need to send money via Wise? Just the recipient's account details for their country -- the same information you would need for any transfer, but with Wise walking you through it step by step.
- Dynamic form fields - only asks for what is needed for your specific destination
- Country-specific guidance - tells you exactly where to find each piece of information
- Mid-market rate - 0.4%-2% transparent fee, no exchange rate markup
- Instant to 2 business days - most major corridors deliver within hours
- FCA regulated - client funds held in safeguarded accounts
What do you need for money transfer with Remitly?
Remitly is built for remittance corridors -- UK to India, UK to Philippines, US to Mexico, and 170+ other routes. What do you need for money transfer with Remitly depends on the chosen delivery method: bank deposit, mobile wallet, or cash pickup.
For bank deposit, Remitly asks for the recipient's bank account number and the appropriate local bank code (IFSC for India, BSB for Australia, routing number for the US, etc.). For mobile wallet delivery (GCash, bKash, M-Pesa), you only need the recipient's mobile phone number -- no bank account details at all. For cash pickup, you need the recipient's name and ID type -- they collect in person with ID. This flexibility makes Remitly particularly useful when the recipient does not have full bank account details readily available.
For mobile wallet deliveries, Remitly only needs the recipient's phone number. For bank deposits, it guides you through the exact bank details needed for each country. Express delivery arrives in minutes.
What do you need for a transfer with Xe?
Xe covers 130+ currencies and provides clear guidance on what bank details are needed to send money to each destination. For most countries, Xe asks for the IBAN or local account number, SWIFT/BIC code, recipient name, and bank address. For US transfers, it asks for the ABA routing number and account number.
Xe is particularly strong for larger transfers and less common currencies -- its no-flat-fee structure means the cost advantage grows with the transfer amount. A GBP 5,000 transfer via Xe will typically cost significantly less than the equivalent bank SWIFT transfer, with the same level of bank-to-bank security and regulatory oversight.
Xe supports more currencies than most competitors and provides step-by-step guidance on what account details are needed for each destination. No flat fees -- just a competitive exchange rate spread.
What to do if you are missing the recipient's bank details
If you do not have all the details needed for money transfer, there are several ways to get them. The simplest is to ask the recipient directly -- they can find their bank details in their mobile banking app, on a bank statement, or by calling their bank. Never try to guess or reconstruct bank details from partial information.
- For IBAN: the recipient can find it in their mobile banking app under 'Account details', on a bank statement, or by logging into online banking. Many European banks display the IBAN prominently on the account screen.
- For SWIFT/BIC code: search '[Bank name] SWIFT code' or '[Bank name] BIC' -- most major banks publish this on their website. The recipient can also find it in their online banking or ask their bank's customer service.
- For Indian IFSC: found on the cheque book, passbook, or the Reserve Bank of India's website. The recipient can also find it by searching their bank branch name on the RBI's IFSC lookup tool.
- For US routing number: the first 9 digits on the bottom left of a US cheque. Also found in the recipient's online banking under 'Account details'. Different from the account number (which appears after the routing number on the cheque).
- For Australian BSB: found in the recipient's banking app, on a statement, or by searching the bank's BSB lookup on their website. The BSB identifies the bank and state branch.
If the recipient does not have a bank account, some transfer services offer alternatives. Remitly and Western Union allow cash pickup at agent locations, requiring only the recipient's name and a government-issued ID. Remitly also supports delivery to mobile wallets (GCash, bKash, M-Pesa) using just a phone number -- no bank account details at all.
How to find your own bank details to share with someone
If someone needs to send money to you and is asking what bank details are needed to send money to your account, here is where to find yours. For a UK account, open your banking app and go to 'Account details' -- you will see your sort code and account number. For international senders, they will typically need your IBAN (also visible in the app for most UK banks, under 'International payments' or 'IBAN'). UK IBANs are 22 characters and start with GB.
If your bank does not display your IBAN in the app, you can calculate it: your UK IBAN is GB + 2 check digits + 4-character bank code + your 6-digit sort code + your 8-digit account number. Several free online IBAN calculators will do this for you if you input your sort code and account number. Alternatively, call your bank and ask them to confirm your IBAN over the phone.
Compare international transfer services
Once you have the recipient's bank details, use the tool below to compare what Wise, Remitly, and Xe would charge on your transfer -- and see how much your bank's SWIFT fee would cost in comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What details are needed for money transfer in the UK?
For a domestic UK money transfer, the details needed are: the recipient's 6-digit sort code (format XX-XX-XX), their 8-digit account number, and their full name as it appears on the account. An optional payment reference is useful for identification. These three pieces of information are all that is required for a Faster Payments transfer, which is free and arrives within seconds on most UK personal accounts. Always double-check the sort code and account number before confirming -- errors are difficult to reverse once the payment is sent.
What do you need for a money transfer abroad?
What do you need for a money transfer abroad depends on the destination country. For most European countries: IBAN and recipient name. For the US: ABA routing number, account number, and name. For India: account number, IFSC code, and name. For Australia: BSB code, account number, and name. In most cases you also need a SWIFT/BIC code to identify the recipient's bank. Specialist services like Wise and Remitly guide you through exactly what is needed for each specific destination, adjusting their form to show only the relevant fields.
What do you need for money transfer with Wise?
What do you need for money transfer with Wise is straightforward: Wise's app or website asks for the recipient's name, their bank account details in the format required for their country, and the amount you want to send. You do not need to look up SWIFT codes or figure out which format applies -- Wise adjusts the form dynamically based on the destination country and shows you exactly what information to collect from the recipient. You can also send to an email address for some destinations, where the recipient enters their own bank details.
What bank details are needed to send money to a European bank account?
To send money to a European bank account, the main detail you need is the recipient's IBAN (International Bank Account Number). European IBANs vary in length by country: Germany (DE) is 22 characters, France (FR) 27, Spain (ES) 24, Netherlands (NL) 18. For SEPA transfers within the EU, an IBAN and recipient name is usually sufficient -- no SWIFT code needed. For transfers from outside the SEPA zone, a SWIFT/BIC code for the recipient's bank is also required. The recipient can find their IBAN in their banking app under account details.
What details do you need to send money to the USA?
To send money to a US bank account, you need: the recipient's ABA routing number (9 digits, found on the bottom left of a US cheque), their account number (usually 8-12 digits), their full name, and sometimes their bank's name and address. The US does not use IBANs -- the routing number and account number combination is the US equivalent. If sending via SWIFT, you may also need the SWIFT code for the recipient's bank. Wise, Remitly, and Xe all support US transfers and guide you through the exact fields needed.
What is a SWIFT/BIC code and when do I need it?
A SWIFT code (also called a BIC -- Bank Identifier Code) is an 8 or 11 character code that identifies a specific bank in international transfers. It tells the sending bank which institution to route the money to. SWIFT codes are required for most international bank transfers outside of the SEPA zone. They are not needed for domestic UK transfers. Format: 4 letters (bank code) + 2 letters (country code) + 2 characters (location) + optional 3 characters (branch). Example: BARCGB22 is Barclays UK. The recipient can find their bank's SWIFT code on their bank's website or by searching '[bank name] SWIFT code'.
What is an IBAN and do I need one to send money?
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardised account number format used across Europe and many other countries for international transfers. It combines the country code, check digits, and local bank account details into a single string. You need an IBAN when sending money to any SEPA country (EU + Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland) and many other destinations. UK IBANs are 22 characters and start with GB. If the recipient is in a country that does not use IBANs (USA, Canada, Australia), you will need their local account format instead (routing number, BSB, etc.).
What details do you need to send money to India?
To send money to an Indian bank account, you need: the recipient's account number (usually 11-16 digits), their IFSC code (an 11-character code identifying their specific bank branch), their full name, and sometimes the purpose of the transfer (required by RBI regulations for inward remittances). India does not use IBANs. The IFSC code is found on the recipient's cheque book, passbook, or in their banking app. Alternatively, services like Remitly support delivery to UPI ID or to mobile wallets, which only require the recipient's phone number.
What happens if I enter the wrong bank details?
If you enter the wrong bank details on a domestic UK transfer, the payment may be rejected and returned to your account (if the sort code/account combination does not exist), or it may land in the wrong account. The UK's Confirmation of Payee (CoP) system warns you if the account holder name does not match before you send. If money is sent to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately -- they can raise a misdirected payment claim. For international transfers, wrong details can cause significant delays or loss of funds that is very difficult to recover. Always verify every digit before confirming.
Do I need different bank details for Faster Payments vs SWIFT?
Yes. Faster Payments (domestic UK) only requires a sort code and account number. SWIFT (international) requires a SWIFT/BIC code, IBAN or local account number, and often the recipient's address and bank address. The underlying bank details (sort code, account number) are embedded within the IBAN for UK accounts -- the IBAN is just a standardised international version of the same information. When using specialist services like Wise or Remitly for international transfers, you do not need to worry about SWIFT codes -- the service handles the routing for you.
What do you need for a money transfer to the Philippines?
To send money to a Philippine bank account, you typically need the recipient's account number and the bank name (e.g. BDO, BPI, Metrobank). Some services also ask for the bank's SWIFT code. For mobile wallet delivery -- often faster and more convenient -- you only need the recipient's GCash or Maya mobile number, with no bank account details required. Remitly is particularly strong for UK to Philippines transfers, offering Express delivery to GCash in minutes. Wise also supports Philippine peso transfers to bank accounts.
Can I send money without having the recipient's IBAN?
In some cases, yes. Specialist services like Remitly allow delivery to mobile wallets (GCash, bKash, M-Pesa) using just the recipient's phone number -- no IBAN or bank account required. For cash pickup via Western Union or Remitly, the recipient only needs a government-issued ID. For countries that do not use IBANs (USA, Canada, India, Philippines, Australia), a local account number in the country's own format is used instead. IBANs are specifically a European standard -- you only strictly need one for transfers to the SEPA zone.
How do I find the SWIFT code for a recipient's bank?
The easiest way to find a SWIFT code is to search '[bank name] SWIFT code' or '[bank name] BIC code' on Google. Most major banks publish their SWIFT codes on their website in the international payments or help section. The recipient can also find it in their online banking app under account details or international payments settings. SWIFT code lookup tools like swift.com or wise.com's SWIFT lookup also work well. If in doubt, the recipient can call their bank's customer service line and ask for the bank's SWIFT/BIC code for incoming international transfers.
What details do you need to send money via Remitly or Xe?
For Remitly, what do you need for money transfer depends on the delivery method: bank deposit requires the local account number and bank code (IFSC for India, BSB for Australia, etc.); mobile wallet requires just the recipient's phone number; cash pickup requires the recipient's name and ID type. For Xe, you typically need the IBAN or local account number, SWIFT code, recipient name, and bank details. Both services guide you through the exact fields required for your chosen destination and delivery method, which is significantly simpler than navigating a bank's international payment form.
Understanding what details are needed for money transfer -- whether domestic or international -- is the foundation of any successful transfer. For UK transfers, sort code and account number are all you need. For international transfers, the requirements vary by country, but services like Wise and Remitly remove the complexity by guiding you through exactly what to collect and where to find it. Check what do you need for a money transfer on your specific route using the comparison tool above, and compare costs before you send.
Mohammad Humaid
Verified AuthorMo is the founder of MoneyTransferStore. As an expat who has experienced the challenges of sending money across borders himself, he set out to help others like him avoid hidden fees and unfair exchange rates on international transfers. With a background spanning fintech, payments, and Web3, Mo brings years of practical experience to building a platform focused on transparency and trust.
