How to Send Money from Poland Abroad — Practical Guide for Foreign Workers
Working in Poland and want to send money to family in Ukraine, Russia, Moldova or another country? There are several options — from traditional banks to modern apps. This guide compares the most popular money transfer methods, their costs and transfer times.
Option 1: Bank transfer (SWIFT)
If you have a Polish bank account (PKO BP, mBank, ING, Pekao), you can send a SWIFT transfer directly to the recipient's foreign bank account.
- Cost: 15–50 PLN (bank fee) + currency spread (usually 2–4%)
- Transfer time: 1–3 business days
- What you need: IBAN or account number, SWIFT/BIC code of the recipient's bank
- Note: For amounts over 15,000 EUR a declaration may be required
Downside: Polish banks apply an unfavourable exchange rate and high SWIFT fees. Specialised services are significantly cheaper.
Option 2: Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise is an app for currency transfers at a rate close to the mid-market rate. It is significantly cheaper than a bank and very popular among foreign workers.
- Cost: ~0.5–1% of the transfer amount (no hidden fees)
- Transfer time: a few minutes to 1 business day
- What you need: a government-issued ID, the recipient's bank account number
- Supported countries: Ukraine ✅, EU ✅, and over 80 other countries
How to get started: Download the Wise app, register (you need a passport or residence card), add your Polish bank account as the funding source, and send money.
Option 3: Revolut
Revolut is a multi-currency card and account. You can exchange PLN to EUR, USD, UAH or other currencies at the market rate and send money for free (or at a low fee).
- Cost: free up to a monthly limit (Standard plan), then 0.5%
- Transfer time: instant (between Revolut accounts), 1–2 days (to bank accounts)
- Supported countries: Ukraine ✅, EU ✅
Option 4: Western Union / MoneyGram
Classic money transfers — the recipient can collect cash without a bank account. Ideal if your family does not have a bank account.
- Cost: higher than Wise/Revolut — ~3–8% of the transfer amount
- Transfer time: a few minutes (cash pickup), 1–3 days (bank deposit)
- Where to send: Western Union and MoneyGram locations in Poland — petrol stations, shops, post offices
Option 5: Online currency exchanges (Walutomat, Cinkciarz)
Polish online currency exchanges offer competitive exchange rates and the ability to transfer funds abroad. They require prior registration and account verification.
- Cost: currency spread ~0.5–1%, SWIFT fee ~10–20 PLN
- Transfer time: 1–2 business days
Comparison — which to choose?
| Method | Cost | Time | Cash pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~1% | minutes–1 day | ❌ |
| Revolut | 0–0.5% | instant–2 days | ❌ |
| Western Union | 3–8% | minutes | ✅ |
| SWIFT transfer | 15–50 PLN + 2–4% | 1–3 days | ❌ |
| Online exchange | ~1% + 10–20 PLN | 1–2 days | ❌ |
Recommendation: For regular transfers to a bank account — use Wise or Revolut. If your family does not have a bank account — use Western Union or MoneyGram.
Important for workers from Ukraine
Since 2022, Ukraine has introduced restrictions on foreign currency transfers. However:
- Transfers in PLN (Polish zloty) to Ukrainian bank accounts are possible via Wise and Revolut
- Western Union and MoneyGram operate with Ukraine (check current limits on the service's website)
- Check the daily/monthly limit in the app before sending a large amount
- UAH transfers require the recipient to have a Ukrainian bank account and an active debit card
How to avoid scams?
- Never send money through unfamiliar apps or websites
- Check whether the service is registered with the Polish KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) or regulated by EU law
- Do not click on links in SMS messages about money transfers — this could be phishing
- Check the exchange rate directly in the app; do not trust ads from unofficial websites
How much does sending 1,000 PLN abroad cost?
Approximate costs when transferring 1,000 PLN:
- Wise: ~7–10 PLN fee + market rate → recipient gets the maximum amount
- Revolut: 0 PLN (within the limit) + market rate
- Western Union: ~30–80 PLN fee + worse exchange rate
- Bank SWIFT transfer: 25–50 PLN fee + worse rate (total ~5–8% loss)
Working in Poland through Nexflow?
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