How to send money to Ethiopia from Switzerland with the best CHF-ETB rate

The exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Ethiopian Birr.

A better exchange rate and lower fees means more money being sent to Ethiopia.

The total cost of sending money to Ethiopia from Switzerland, is made-up of a combination of fees and exchange rates. Sending with a company that can offer a good deal on both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Currently, the mid-market for CHF-ETB is 199.147 ETB per Swiss Franc.

• Fees: Transfer fees may have to be paid alongside the transfer, either as a set fee or a percentage of the transfer. Xe has a fee of 180 CHF per transfer (which is the cheapest option right now for a fr.6,000 transfer). Although you should search for your send amount to get live deals and lowest fees.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Ethiopian Birr eventually received in Ethiopia.

If you are paying for services in Ethiopian Birr from Switzerland, this can make a huge difference.

Understanding the averages, and then waiting a day or two can help you get more ETB for the same amount of Swiss Franc.

You can also use a forward contract to lock in an agreed exchange rate between Switzerland and Ethiopia.

Using a debit card to send via money transfer company is the payment method that will get you the best price when sending from Switzerland to Ethiopia.

Here are all the ways to send money from Switzerland to Ethiopia:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the fastest and cheapest way to send money from Switzerland to Ethiopia.

Using a money transfer company such as Xe for payments from Switzerland to Ethiopia, means you can send via a bank transfer and benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money with a debit card from Switzerland to Ethiopia is easy with Revolut.


Revolut is a leader in debit card money transfers from Switzerland to Ethiopia. They are the best option of the 4 transfer companies compared.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone.

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Ensuring you fully understand regulations in Switzerland and Ethiopia will aid in keeping your money safe.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for sending money between Switzerland and Ethiopia.

Some companies offering money transfers between Switzerland and Ethiopia have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can send or receive.

Rates and fees for different transfer amounts could change - that’s why it’s best to compare CHF-ETB rates for your specific transfer amount.

For regular transfers to Ethiopia, shopping around each time can make a huge difference.

For sending large amounts of CHF to Ethiopia we'd recommend using Wise. They offer a combination of rates and fees when sending from Switzerland to Ethiopia that is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

There are different options for receiving Ethiopian Birr in Ethiopia.

The most popular are direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all companies offering transfers from Switzerland to Ethiopia will offer every method for incoming Ethiopian Birr, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

Again, a comparison of CHF to ETB providers will tell you if the method for receiving is supported.

One of the most common ways to transfer money from Switzerland into Ethiopia is by sending directly to a bank account. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between Switzerland and Ethiopia.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Switzerland and Ethiopia.

P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular because of convenience but are better for domestic transfers. For receiving international payments they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer options like multi-currency accounts.

If using a money transfer company to send Ethiopian Birrs to Ethiopia, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

The documents you need will vary and in some cases you might need more than one.

ID can be verified in Switzerland through a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license.

If the recipient needs an ID to collect money in Ethiopia, it will be similar.

Large transactions between Switzerland and Ethiopia, can be subject to additional checks. This includes proof of funds for anti-money laundering purposes.

One of the reasons Wise has scored so highly for transfers to Ethiopia is their easy sign up process in Switzerland.

Sending regular, or larger amounts of money between Switzerland and Ethiopia could mean there are tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Ethiopian Birr may need to be reported to tax authorities in Ethiopia, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Ethiopia has many different tax obligations for residents and non-residents.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Switzerland or Ethiopia to discuss your personal circumstances. This ensures you are not missing any specific tax needs associated with your transfer.