Table of Contents
What NatWest International Transfers Are
How to Send an International Payment With NatWest
Required Details for a Successful Transfer
Options for Sending (Online, App, Branch, Fax)
How Fees Work and What You Might Pay
Exchange Rates and Hidden Costs
Limits and Daily Maximums
Delivery Times and Cut-Off Times
Fee Allocation Options and What They Mean
Receiving International Payments With NatWest
When NatWest International Transfers Make Sense
Alternatives and Cost-Saving Considerations
Summary
NatWest’s international transfer service lets customers send money overseas securely. Standard digital transfers often have no NatWest fee, but urgent or in-branch transfers carry costs, and exchange rate markups can be substantial. You can send via online banking, the mobile app, branch, telephone or post. To send, you need the beneficiary’s IBAN, BIC/SWIFT and basic details. Transfer times vary from same-day for SEPA to several business days for other destinations. NatWest also supports different fee allocation options so you and the recipient can share or cover costs as needed.
What NatWest International Transfers Are
An international transfer through NatWest is a formal bank-to-bank payment that moves funds from your NatWest account in the UK (or another eligible jurisdiction) to a bank account overseas. These transfers typically use SWIFT or SEPA (for euro payments within the European Economic Area) networks to communicate securely between banks.
NatWest treats Euro payments within EEA and international payments outside the EEA differently in terms of fees and processing.
How to Send an International Payment With NatWest
You can initiate an international transfer in several ways:
Online Banking: Log in to NatWest online, choose Payments, then International Payments and follow steps to add or select a payee.
Mobile App: Send through NatWest’s mobile app by navigating to Payments > International Payments and following prompts.
Branch: Visit a local NatWest branch with ID and account details.
Fax or Post: For amounts above certain thresholds, you may complete a payment form and send it to NatWest by post or fax.
The digital methods tend to be faster and cheaper than manual methods.
Required Details for a Successful Transfer
To complete a NatWest international transfer, you must provide:
Recipient’s full name as on their bank account.
Recipient bank’s name and address.
International Bank Account Number (IBAN) where applicable.
Bank Identifier Code (SWIFT/BIC).
Purpose of payment or reference (for regulatory checks).
Missing or incorrect information can delay processing or cause return of funds.
Options for Sending (Online, App, Branch, Fax)
The most convenient are online banking and the mobile app. You can save beneficiaries for future use, calculate rates before confirmation, and manage fees directly within the interface.
Sending in-branch or by phone gives personalized support but usually carries higher fees and takes longer to process.
Fax or postal transfers are typically used when online limits are insufficient or if you cannot visit a branch; these require specific payment forms.
How Fees Work and What You Might Pay
NatWest’s pricing depends on how you send the transfer:
Digital (online/app): Standard international payments often have no NatWest fee if sent digitally, but a possible £10 agent charge may apply on some corridors.
Manual (branch/phone/post): For non-Euro transfers, fees often apply — around 0.3% of the amount with a minimum of £23 and a maximum of £40, plus the agent charge. €SEPA euro payments may be free or have no NatWest fee.
Urgent payments: A specific urgent transfer fee (around £15) may be charged for expedited processing.
These are NatWest’s own fees; correspondent bank/agent charges and recipient bank fees may also be deducted by other banks in the payment chain.
Exchange Rates and Hidden Costs
A significant cost in international transfers is not the headline fee but the exchange rate margin. NatWest, like most banks, applies a markup to the mid-market rate. This means the rate you receive is less favourable than the real interbank rate, and the difference is effectively a cost charged by the bank.
Always compare the quoted exchange rate with a mid-market rate source before sending, especially on large transfers.
Limits and Daily Maximums
Online and mobile banking international payments typically have limits — for many personal accounts this is around £20,000 per day. Larger amounts may require branch assistance or specific payment forms.
Business and premium accounts may have higher or adjustable limits.
Delivery Times and Cut-Off Times
Delivery times depend on the destination and payment type:
SEPA euro payments within the EEA may arrive the same day if sent before cut-off times.
Standard international payments often take 2–4 business days.
Urgent payments are often processed within 1–2 business days.
Cut-off times for same-day processing can vary by currency and destination.
Fee Allocation Options and What They Mean
NatWest gives you options on who pays fees:
You pay all fees (so the recipient gets the full amount).
You pay only NatWest’s fee and share other banks’ fees.
The recipient pays all transfer fees.
Choosing the right option affects how much the beneficiary receives.
Receiving International Payments With NatWest
Receiving money from abroad into a NatWest account requires the sender to have the correct details including your IBAN and BIC/SWIFT. For non-IBAN countries, sort code and account number suffice.
Incoming payment fees are typically small (e.g., £1 for non-Euro amounts under £101) but vary by currency and account type.
When NatWest International Transfers Make Sense
NatWest transfers make sense when you want:
Bank-level security and traceability.
Higher value or regulated payments that must go through formal banking channels.
SEPA euro transfers to Europe with low or zero fees.
However, exchange rate markups may make this less cost-effective for frequent or large transfers.
Alternatives and Cost-Saving Considerations
For frequent international payments, specialist money transfer services like Wise often offer more transparent pricing and mid-market exchange rates, potentially reducing total cost compared with traditional banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fee for a NatWest international transfer
Digital transfers are often free with a possible agent charge; manual or urgent transfers have defined fees based on currency and method.
How long do NatWest international payments take
Standard transfers usually arrive in 2–4 business days; SEPA euros can be same-day, urgent transfers 1–2 days.
What details do I need to send money abroad with NatWest
You need the recipient’s name, bank name and address, IBAN, and SWIFT/BIC code.
Can I send more than £20,000 at once
Yes, but online might limit you; for larger amounts you may need a branch or specific form.
Are international transfer exchange rates included in fees
No; exchange rate margins are separate and embedded in the conversion rate offered.
Sources
https://www.natwestinternational.com/global/travel-and-international/sending-international-payments.html
https://www.natwest.com/business/support-centre/making-and-accepting-payments/electronic-payments/international-transfers.html
https://www.natwest.com/support-centre/banking-from-home/make-payments/how-can-i-make-an-international-payment-using-mobile-banking.html
https://www.natwest.com/support-centre/general-banking-information/general/how-long-will-it-take-for-an-international-payment-to-arrive.html
https://www.natwest.com/business/support-centre/making-and-accepting-payments/electronic-payments/receiving-international-transfers.html
