Yes, you can transfer money from Wise to your bank account

Wise holds your money in a Wise account — either a multi-currency wallet or a local bank account number they provide for you. To move that money to your own bank account, you initiate a withdrawal through the Wise app or website. Wise then sends the funds to the bank account you specify, using the standard banking network for your country. The money leaves Wise's system and arrives in your bank account as a regular deposit.

The process takes one to three business days in most cases, though the exact timing depends on which country your bank is in and whether you're withdrawing in the same currency Wise holds or converting first. You'll see the withdrawal request process in your Wise account when ready, but the actual arrival at your bank follows your bank's deposit schedule.

Key Takeaways

  • Wise withdrawals go to a bank account you register in your Wise account settings, and you can change which account receives the money before each withdrawal.
  • Transfers within the same currency (for example, GBP to a UK bank account) usually arrive within one business day; currency conversions add processing time.
  • Wise charges a withdrawal fee that varies by currency and destination country — check the fee before you confirm the withdrawal.
  • Your receiving bank may also charge a fee to receive the incoming transfer, though most domestic transfers within the same country do not.

How the withdrawal process works step by step

Open your Wise app or log into Wise.com and go to your account balance. Select the currency or account you want to withdraw from — if you hold multiple currencies in Wise, you choose which one. Tap or click "Send money" or "Withdraw", depending on your app version.

Wise will show you the available bank accounts you've already registered. If you want to withdraw to a new bank account, you add it at this step by entering the account number, routing number (in the US), sort code (in the UK), or the equivalent for your country. Wise verifies the account details before you can proceed. Enter the amount you want to withdraw, and Wise displays the fee it will charge and the amount that will actually arrive at your bank. Review this carefully — the fee comes out of what you're sending, so if you withdraw £100 and the fee is £1.50, your bank receives £98.50.

Confirm the withdrawal. Wise processes it when ready on their end, and you'll see the transaction in your Wise account history marked as "pending" or "in progress". The money then travels through the banking system to your bank account.

Timing: when the money actually arrives

Domestic transfers — money staying in the same currency and going to a bank in the same country — usually arrive within one business day. A withdrawal from your Wise GBP account to a UK bank account, for example, typically clears by the next business day. US transfers to a US bank account follow the same pattern.

International transfers or currency conversions take longer. If you're converting from one currency to another before the withdrawal, Wise completes the conversion first, which adds a day. Then the money travels internationally, which can take two to three additional business days depending on the receiving country's banking system. A withdrawal from your Wise EUR account to a US bank account, for instance, might take three to four business days total.

Weekends and public holidays pause the clock. A withdrawal initiated on Friday evening may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, because the banking system does not process transfers over the weekend.

Fees Wise charges for withdrawals

Wise charges a flat fee for each withdrawal, and the amount depends on the currency you're withdrawing and the country where your bank account is located. As of now, withdrawing to a US bank account costs around $0.70 to $1.50 depending on the currency; withdrawing to a UK account costs roughly £0.35 to £0.70. These amounts change periodically, so always check the fee Wise shows you before you confirm.

The fee appears on the withdrawal screen before you finalize the transaction. Wise deducts it from the amount you're sending, not from your Wise balance separately. If you withdraw $500 and the fee is $1.50, Wise sends $498.50 to your bank and keeps $1.50.

Some currencies or destination countries may have higher fees or may not be available for withdrawal at all. If you're withdrawing to a less common country, Wise will tell you whether that route is supported and what it costs.

What your receiving bank might charge

Your own bank may charge you a fee to receive an incoming transfer, though this is less common for domestic transfers. US banks rarely charge to receive a domestic ACH transfer from Wise. UK banks typically do not charge for receiving a domestic Faster Payment. However, international transfers sometimes trigger a receiving fee — your bank might charge $10 to $25 to receive money from abroad, depending on their policy.

Check your bank's fee schedule or call them before you withdraw a large amount internationally. The fee will not appear in Wise — it comes from your bank after the money arrives. You'll see it on your bank statement a day or two after the deposit posts.

Registering and changing your receiving bank account

The first time you withdraw from Wise, you register the bank account where you want the money to go. Wise asks for your account number and routing information (the specific fields depend on your country). They verify the account details, usually by checking that the account exists and that the name matches your Wise account.

You can register multiple bank accounts in your Wise settings. Before each withdrawal, you choose which registered account receives the money. This means you can withdraw to different banks without re-entering details every time. If you want to withdraw to a new account you haven't used before, you add it during the withdrawal process itself.

Changing your registered account takes effect when ready. There is no waiting period or approval process — Wise straightforward updates your account settings and uses the new details for your next withdrawal.

What happens if something goes wrong

If you enter an incorrect bank account number, Wise may reject the withdrawal before it processes, and you'll see an error message asking you to correct it. If the account number is close to valid but wrong, the withdrawal might process and then bounce back from your bank. When this happens, the money returns to your Wise account, usually within three to five business days. Wise does not charge you again for the failed withdrawal.

If the money arrives at the wrong account because you entered the details incorrectly, you'll need to contact that bank and ask them to return the funds. Wise cannot retrieve money that has been deposited into another person's account. This is why it's critical to double-check the account number and routing information before confirming any withdrawal.

If your Wise account is restricted or frozen for any reason, you cannot withdraw. Wise will explain the restriction in your account and tell you what steps to take. This usually involves verifying your identity or providing additional information about the source of your funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money from Wise to a bank account that is not in my name?

No. Wise requires that the receiving bank account be registered in your name or in a name that matches your Wise account. You cannot withdraw to someone else's account. If you need to send money to another person, use Wise's transfer feature instead, which is designed for sending money to other people's accounts.

What is the minimum or maximum amount I can withdraw?

Wise does not publish a single minimum or maximum withdrawal amount. The limits depend on your account history, the currency, and the destination country. Your Wise account will show you the range you can withdraw in a single transaction. If you try to withdraw more than the maximum, Wise will tell you the limit and ask you to reduce the amount.

Do I need to convert my money to the local currency before I withdraw?

No. If you hold multiple currencies in Wise, you can withdraw from any of them. Wise will convert to your receiving bank's currency automatically if needed. You'll see the exchange rate and any conversion fee before you confirm. You can also convert manually in your Wise account first if you want to lock in a specific rate.

Why is my withdrawal still pending after three business days?

Check whether you withdrew in the same currency as your receiving bank account uses. Domestic same-currency transfers usually arrive within one business day, but international or multi-currency withdrawals take longer. Also check whether the withdrawal was initiated on a weekend or public holiday — the clock does not start until the next business day. If it has been more than five business days and the money has not arrived, contact Wise support with your transaction reference number.

Can I cancel a withdrawal after I have confirmed it?

If the withdrawal has not yet left Wise's system, you can cancel it through your account. Once the money has been sent to the banking network, you cannot cancel it through Wise — you'll need to contact your bank to try to recall it, though success depends on how far the transfer has progressed. Act quickly if you need to cancel.