Chase can send money to Europe, but it is slower and more expensive than specialist transfer services

Chase offers international wire transfers to Europe through its Chase International Wire Transfer service. The bank will move your money to a European bank account, but you will pay a flat fee ($15 to $50 depending on the transfer type), plus the bank will apply its own exchange rate — which is typically 1 to 3 percent worse than the mid-market rate you see online. The transfer itself takes 3 to 5 business days once Chase processes it, and the receiving bank may take another 1 to 2 days to post the funds.

For smaller amounts or regular transfers, services like Wise, OFX, or Remitly often charge less and deliver faster. For large sums, comparing Chase's all-in cost against a specialist provider is worth 10 minutes of your time.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase wire transfers to Europe cost $15 to $50 plus an unfavorable exchange rate, and take 3 to 5 business days to reach the receiving bank.
  • You need the recipient's full name, bank account number, IBAN, and SWIFT code — missing details will delay or reject the transfer.
  • Chase applies a markup to the exchange rate, meaning you receive less euros (or other currency) than if you used the mid-market rate.
  • Specialist transfer services like Wise or OFX often charge lower fees and offer better exchange rates for amounts under $10,000.
  • Chase does not offer real-time transfers to Europe; all international wires take at least 3 business days.

What information you need to send a Chase wire to Europe

Before you start a transfer, gather the recipient's banking details. You will need their full legal name (exactly as it appears on their bank account), their bank account number, their IBAN (International Bank Account Number — a 15 to 34 character code that includes the country code), and their bank's SWIFT code (an 8 or 11 character identifier for the bank itself).

The recipient can find this information on their bank statement, in their online banking portal, or by calling their bank. If any detail is wrong or missing, Chase will reject the transfer or it will arrive at the wrong account. Do not guess or abbreviate.

You will also need to specify the amount in US dollars (Chase will convert it at their rate) and confirm whether you want the recipient to receive the exact amount in euros or whether you will cover all fees.

How to start a wire transfer through Chase online or in person

If you have a Chase checking or savings account, you can initiate a wire through Chase's website or mobile app. Log in, go to "Transfer Money," select "Wire Funds," and choose "International Wire." Enter the recipient's details, the amount, and the currency they will receive. Chase will show you the exchange rate and total fee before you confirm.

Alternatively, visit a Chase branch in person. A banker can walk you through the form, verify the recipient's details, and process the transfer on the spot. In-person transfers sometimes clear faster because the bank staff can catch errors before submission.

Chase does not allow you to schedule international wires in advance; you must initiate each one when you are ready to send it. The transfer is final once you confirm — you cannot cancel it after submission.

Chase exchange rates and fees compared to other providers

Chase's wire transfer fee is $15 for transfers within the US and $50 for international wires. On top of that, the bank applies an exchange rate markup. If the mid-market rate (the true rate between currencies at that moment) is 1.10 USD to 1 EUR, Chase might offer you 1.07 or 1.08 — meaning you lose 2 to 3 cents per dollar sent.

For a $5,000 transfer to Europe, that markup alone could cost you $100 to $150 in lost value. Wise, by contrast, charges a flat 0.6 to 0.8 percent fee and uses the mid-market rate, making it cheaper for most transfers under $10,000. OFX and Remitly have similar pricing structures.

For very large transfers ($50,000 or more), some banks negotiate better rates, so calling Chase's international desk to ask about a better rate is worth doing. Most customers will not get one, but asking costs nothing.

How long a Chase wire takes and what happens if it stalls

Chase processes outgoing wires during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern). If you submit a wire after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, it will not leave Chase until the next business day. Once it leaves, the transfer takes 3 to 5 business days to reach the recipient's European bank, which may then take another 1 to 2 days to post to the account.

If a wire does not arrive within 7 business days, contact Chase's international wire department with your wire reference number (you will receive this in your confirmation email). They can check the status with the receiving bank. Delays usually happen because of a typo in the IBAN or SWIFT code, a mismatch between the account name and the name on the wire, or a holiday in the receiving country.

Chase cannot reverse an international wire once it has left the bank, so if you sent money to the wrong account, you will have to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return it — a process that can take weeks.

When Chase wires make sense and when to use an alternative

Use Chase if you have an urgent transfer and already have all the recipient's details correct, or if you are sending a very large amount and have negotiated a better rate with the bank. Chase's main advantage is that you can walk into a branch and have a person verify everything before the wire leaves.

Use a specialist service like Wise if you are sending under $10,000, need a better exchange rate, or want to set up recurring transfers. Wise also offers a multi-currency account, so you can hold euros and send them without converting back to dollars first — useful if you transfer to Europe regularly.

Use OFX if you are sending a large amount and want to lock in an exchange rate in advance. OFX lets you reserve a rate for up to 48 hours, which protects you if the market moves against you while you are gathering the recipient's details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to a European person who does not have a bank account?

No. Chase wire transfers require a bank account number and IBAN. If the recipient does not have a bank account, they would need to open one first. Some European banks offer accounts to non-residents, but this takes time. For cash pickup, services like Western Union or MoneyGram work, but they are more expensive than bank transfers.

What if the recipient's bank is in a country outside the EU?

Chase can send to banks in the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and other non-EU European countries, but the process and fees are the same. You still need an IBAN and SWIFT code. Some banks in smaller countries may take longer to receive funds or may charge their own fees on the receiving end.

Does Chase offer a better rate if I send a large amount?

Not automatically. Chase applies the same markup to all customers. However, if you are sending $50,000 or more, calling the international wire desk and asking to speak with a manager may result in a slightly better rate. There is no may provide, but it is worth asking.

Can I cancel a wire after I have sent it?

Not once it has left Chase. If you catch an error before Chase processes it (usually within an hour of submission), call the bank immediately and ask them to stop it. After that, the wire is gone and you will have to contact the receiving bank to ask them to return the funds.

Is it cheaper to use a Chase credit card to pay someone in Europe?

No. Credit card foreign transaction fees (typically 2 to 3 percent) are higher than wire transfer fees, and the exchange rate markup is similar. Wire transfers are cheaper for large amounts; for small purchases, a credit card with no foreign transaction fee (like some Chase Sapphire cards) is your best option.