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How can I make an international payment?

How can I make an international payment?

This guide explains how to send money abroad using our mobile app or online banking. You'll also find information on payment limits, charges and what you'll need before you get started. Alternatively, you can visit a local branch to make an international payment in person.

The details you'll need depend on whether the country you’re sending money to uses IBANs.

List of IBAN compliant countries

 

If the country uses IBANs

You’ll need the recipient's:

  • Name and address
  • Bank name and address
  • SWIFT BIC
    This tells us which bank to send the money to. It's an 8 or 11‑character code made up of letters and numbers.
  • IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
    This is used for payments to Europe and some other countries.

 

If the country doesn’t use IBANs

Instead of an IBAN, you’ll need:

  • National Clearing Code (NCC)
    They are also known as Routing Codes or Bank State Branch (BSB) codes for some countries (e.g. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand).
  • The recipient's bank account number

 

Payment limits

If you’re a personal customer, you can send up to £20,000 per working day using online banking or our mobile app. International payment aren't available on business accounts through online banking or the mobile app.

Make a payment using our mobile app

Make a payment using our mobile app

To send an international payment using our mobile app, you'll need to make the first payment using online banking. After this payment is made, you will be able to send funds to the international payee using the mobile app.

 

To make an international payment

  • Log in to the app.
  • Tap 'Payments' at the bottom of the home screen.
  • Select the correct account. You can swipe or tap 'Change account' if you need to.
  • Choose ‘Send money’.
  • Tap ‘Send money abroad’.
  • Select 'Make an international payment'.
  • Tap 'Choose who to pay or pay someone new'.
  • Under 'Your payees', choose an existing payee.
  • Key the amount in either foreign currency or GBP.
  • Choose the payment date and advise the fees you want to pay.
  • Add a statement reference (optional).
  • Check the payment details and tap 'Make payment'.

 

You'll see a confirmation screen once the payment's been sent.

 

Learn more about our mobile app

App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

Make a payment using online banking

Make a payment using online banking

To set up an international payee, you’ll need to make a first payment to them. Once that’s done, their details will be saved so you can use them again next time.

Please note, payments to Bahrain or United Arab Emirates require a Purpose of payment code.

 

To get started

  • Log in to online banking.
  • Select 'Payments & transfers' from the main menu.
  • Under 'International payments', choose 'Make an international payment'.
  • Select the account you want to make the payment from.

 

If you're paying someone new:

  • Choose 'Pay someone new'.
  • Select the country that you are sending money to and the payee's currency.

 

If you're paying an existing payee:

  • Choose 'Pay one of your saved payees'.
  • Select a payee from the list and the payee's currency.

 

Once the payee is confirmed

  • Enter the country, currency, and amount.
  • Select 'Get exchange rate and charges', review the quote and press 'Next'.
  • Choose the payment type and fees you wish to pay.
  • Complete additional details and select 'Next'.
  • Review the summary and, if required, authorise the payment using your card reader or mobile app.
  • Select 'Make payment'.

 

You'll recieve a confirmation screen once the payment's been sent.

 

Learn more about online banking

Online banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest International account.

Complete a form and return it to your branch

Complete a form and return it to your branch

We’ve created an interactive payment request form to help customers who prefer to send us payment instructions by post or by visiting a branch. If you’ve registered to send faxes and have a signal number card, you can also send us your completed form by fax.

For customers using mobile devices or tablets, standard versions of our payment forms are available to download.

 

More information on payment forms

Other help and support