Compare the best ways to send money to Italy

The exchange rate determines how much EUR the recipient will receive when you send money to Italy.

For example, today’s exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Euro is 0.8824 EUR.

Since USD-EUR fluctuates continuously, waiting a few days could result in a better rate and more Euros for your recipient.

If you need to send money to Italy quickly, we recommend using Wise, which has consistently provided the best EUR exchange rates (with -0.02% markup) for transfers to Italy over the past six months.

How you choose to pay for your transfer affects the cost, speed, and the amount of EUR received.

Based on a $2,000 transfer to Italy using our data from the past six months, here are your options:

• A bank transfer with Revolut has $0.06 in fees and a 0.2% markup.

• A debit card transfer with Wise costs 14.24 with a -0.03% markup.

• A credit card transfer with has a $0 fee and % markup.

We recommend avoiding Bank transfer transfers to Italy, as they often carry the highest costs.

Credit card transfers can also incur cash advance fees and higher interest rates on EUR.

Don’t use the SWIFT network for sending EUR if you can. Despite the name, SWIFT transfers to Italy are typically slower and come with higher fees.

Money transfer companies often set minimum and maximum limits on how much EUR you can send to Italy.

However, most of the time these limits are in the millions, so using a top provider like Wise, will cover your needs in most cases.

The amount of EUR you transfer will influence both the fees and the exchange rate, so for exceptionally high transfers we would recommend using a currency broker.

Additionally, there may be European restrictions, commercial limitations, or other factors that could affect how much EUR you can send to Italy.

To ensure a smooth transfer to Italy, especially when sending large sums, use our comparison tool to find the service that best meets your transfer needs.

The speed of sending Euros to Italy depends on factors such as:

• The amount being sent

• The chosen deposit and withdrawal methods

• The timing of your transfer.

Typically, faster transfers come with higher fees.

Let’s say you want to send 2,000 USD from the US to Italy. Here are your options:

For the fastest transfers, use Wise.

Out of 21 companies serving Italy, Wise appeared 208 times in our searches as the fastest service over the past six months.

For urgent transfers

High-street exchanges like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria Money can deliver Euros within minutes for collection in Italy.

There are a few ways to send money to Italy:

Money transfer companies

You can send money to Italy online using an FX broker (a managed service best suited for large EUR transfers) or via an online-only company (self-managed).

Based on a six-month analysis, we found that Wise is the best overall option for sending money to Italy, appearing 95.4% of the time for EUR transfers in our comparisons.

App transfers

Most money transfer services to Italy offer mobile apps, including N26, Wise, XE, and Revolut. They often offer great deals on EUR rates for using the app.

You can find the one that meets your needs in our guide to money transfer apps.

In-person cash transfers

Cash transfers to Italy can be made in person through services like Ria Money Transfers or Western Union.

These transfers are usually instant, but the recipient will need to visit a nearby agent location to collect the EUR.

You can also have EUR delivered door-to-door, but it’s slower and costs more.

Multi-currency accounts

Wise offers multi-currency accounts that allow you to send, receive, and store EUR.

This is one of the most convenient options for managing multiple currencies as you can send, receive, and spend. Check out our guide on multi-currency accounts to learn more.

Bank transfers

We recommend avoiding direct bank wires to Italy due to higher fees. Instead, use your bank to fund your money transfer account and send money to Italy from there.

There are several ways to receive money in Italy. You can opt for:

• A direct bank deposit, best done with Wise

• Send cash for pickup or home delivery with Western Union or Ria Money

• A mobile wallet or multi-currency account, such as Wise or Revolut

Please note that CashApp is not available in Italy.

Generally, money received as income that you've already paid tax on in another country is usually not taxed again.

Some EUR transfers may need to be reported to tax authorities, especially for larger amounts.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in your country or in Italy.

For bank accounts, debit cards, or wallet deposits, the recipient typically doesn’t need to take any action—the EUR will be deposited automatically.

If you’re sending a larger transfer, companies may request additional documentation, such as proof of funds (e.g. bank statement) and address verification (e.g. recent utility bill), to comply with Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

When making larger EUR transfers or sending cash for pickup in Italy, the recipient may need the following:

• Italian ID or similar: A valid, non-expired passport, driver’s license, or carta d'identità elettronica (CIE)

• Sender’s details: The sender's full name, address, and other personal information.

• Transfer details: The amount being received in Euros.

• Transfer reference: Provided to the sender at the time of transfer.

• SWIFT Code / IBAN: This may be required for bank transfers to Italy from certain countries.

*The exact documentation requirements may vary depending on the transfer method, service used, and amount sent.