How to send money to a debit card
You can send money from debit card to debit card via some money transfer providers. Here's how:
Choose a provider
Sign up or log in
Add transfer details
Choose delivery method
Add required details
Review and confirm
Best ways to send money to a debit card
So you know how to make debit to debit transfers, now you need to find a provider that will let you do it. Skip the bank accounts and send directly to debit cards using one of the providers below.
The main selling point of Wise is their mid-market exchange rate. They don't add a markup to currency exchanges, so you'll always get what your money's worth. Instead, they add a small fee to all transfers, which can be calculated before you transfer in their app or on their website.
Wise is also one of the easiest providers to use, with a great user interface.
While Wise allows you to make payments to debit cards, these are often more expensive than their standard bank transfers. On top of the standard Wise transfer fees, there's an additional cost of 1.5% for transfers to debit cards, with a minimum fee of $0.31.
Transparent fees and exchange rates
User-friendly interface
Faster small transfers than most competitors
Delivery to 70 countries is more limited than some competitors
Customer support can be limited, with the emphasis on online-only contact
Transfer limits are slightly lower for debit card transfers, with higher amounts needing to be sent by wire transfer
Our overall score for MoneyGram is 6.2 out of 10 - while it isn't the strongest provider on our list in terms of cost or service, MoneyGram the biggest and most well-known money transfer services, make it our pick for reliable transfers to debit cards.
Huge company with a worldwide reputation
Fast transfers to debit cards
Transfer fees vary by destination
Exchange rate markups are not the most competitive
PaySend is our pick for the cheapest transfers on our list. It offers the lowest transfer fees, costing either $2, £1, or €1.5 to send money to a debit card.
Transfer fees are relatively low
Transfers to debit cards are fast, often done in minutes
Relatively wide range of countries where you can pay to a debit card
Exchange rate markups are not very favorable
Not the most well known provider
Remitly are a solid money transfer provider when sending money to a debit card - and their customer service makes them stand out.
24/7 customer service via phone and chat for English and Spanish-speaking customers, and 24/7 chat support for French-speaking customers
Easy-to-use app available in 14 languages
Multiple payment methods
Unclear which countries you can send money to a debit card
Transfer fees can be relatively high for some countries
Transfer fees are not transparent
Overall, TransferGo is one of the strongest money transfer providers on the market - and they're exceptionally useful for transfers to debit cards in Europe
Wide coverage in Europe, even with more exotic European currencies
Fast card-to-card transfers
Limited coverage outside of Europe
Low transfer limits
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How to send money to someone's debit card instantly
Debit card payments are often quicker than bank transfers, but it will depend on your provider and the countries you're sending money between.
The fastest money transfer providers for debit card payments are:
Provider | Average speed |
---|---|
Within minutes | |
Within minutes | |
Within minutes | |
Within minutes |
Faster transfers are usually more expensive
With any kind of money transfer, it’s likely to cost more if you want the funds available instantly. However, it’s always worth comparing providers to see what deals are out there - this way you can be sure you’re getting the best available for your money.
Pros and cons
They can be quick to arrive, especially if you pay from a debit card too
You only need the recipient’s card number, rather than their bank account details
Transfers are simple, and the recipient doesn’t need to do anything to get the money
Exchange rates and fees can be relatively high compared to other methods - as well as lacking in transparency
Few providers offer this option, and it’s not available for all countries and currencies
Transfer limits can be quite low, sometimes around $1,000
Best ways to send money from a debit card
Sending money from a debit card is easy with a transfer provider. You can log in, enter your card details, and arrange the transfer in minutes. However, some providers will be quicker than others, and some may charge higher fees.
A lot of providers allow you to make money transfers using your debit card, we've listed some of the top options below.
Provider | Best for |
---|---|
Lowest exchange rates | |
Fast transfers | |
Low fees on smaller transfers | |
Large money transfers | |
Exchange rate contracts |
How to send money from a debit card
Sending money using your debit card is easy. Here's how to do it:
Choose a provider
Sign up or log in
Add transfer details
Choose sending method
Add required details
Review and confirm
Alternatives to sending money to and from a debit card
While using the above providers to send money to and from a debit card does offer some benefits, it’s not always the most available and far-reaching method. We always recommend using local bank transfers as the preferred payment and deposit method - it generally works out cheaper, and you’re more likely to find providers that accept this method.
Debit cards vs bank transfers
The main differences between using your debit card to transfer money and transferring directly from your bank are speed and cost. Debit card payments are usually processed much faster, but come with extra fees as a result.
Debit card transfers | Bank transfers | |
---|---|---|
Fees | Often come with extra fees | Usually the lowest of all your options |
Exchange rates | You can sometimes get less favorable rates when paying by card | You’ll normally get the provider’s best rate if paying from your bank |
Transfer speed | Usually within a day | Often 1-3 days |
Availability | Not widely available | Available with most providers |
Money transfer services also offer the ability to fund the transfer directly through your bank. This can be a good way of avoiding certain fees associated with debit or credit cards, however, you may find that bank transfers take longer to process.
When you make a local ACH bank transfer to your chosen provider, it credits the same amount - minus fees and rate margins - from one of its accounts in the destination country to the recipient’s bank account. This way no money actually crosses any borders, so transfer costs are minimized - this is how money transfer providers can offer the rates they do.
Almost all of the biggest money transfer services allow paying by local bank transfer, and depositing into the recipient’s bank account, including WorldRemit, Wise and XE. It’s a much more widely available practice compared to paying from and to a debit card.
Debit cards vs credit cards
The main difference between using a debit and credit cards for your money transfer is the cost. Credit card payments come with higher fees as you’re technically borrowing the money to pay for your transaction.
Debit card transfers | Credit card transfers | |
---|---|---|
Fees | Higher than bank transfers but lower than credit cards | Usually the most expensive by way of fees |
Exchange rates | Around the same | Around the same |
Transfer speed | Usually within a day | Usually within a day |
Availability | Not widely available | Not widely available |
You might be considering whether it’s better to use a debit card or credit card when you send money online. With a credit card, you get added security and convenience, as your transactions are protected and you get extra time to pay the money back.
However, it’s important to remember that sending money via credit card often includes extra fees like cash advance charges, as well as potential interest payments you may need to make. It’s likely a better option to use your debit card.
Can I send money from a debit card to a debit card?
All the money transfer providers listed accept card to card payments. These include:
Provider | Fees |
---|---|
1.5% fee, plus standard transfer fee | |
From £1.99 | |
£1 | |
No fee | |
No fee | |
€1, £1, €1, RUB 85 or the currency equivalent depending on the origin and destination of the transfer |