Sending Money from Germany: Best Services for International Transfers
⚡ TL;DR
The cheapest way to send money from Germany to most African countries in 2026 is through Wise (mid-market exchange rate, low transparent fees, bank-to-bank), Remitly (better for mobile money, cash pickup, and Express delivery), or WorldRemit (strong African coverage, mobile wallet support). Your German bank is almost always the most expensive option — the exchange rate markup alone can cost 3–5% extra. Always compare the 'recipient receives' amount across at least two providers before sending.
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Why Your German Bank Is Probably the Worst Option
Almost every newcomer to Germany makes the same mistake at first: they send money home through their German bank. It feels safe and familiar. But traditional banks charge a combination of transfer fees and — far more expensively — a hidden markup on the exchange rate that often amounts to 3–5% of the total amount [1][2]. On a €500 transfer, that's €15–€25 disappearing silently into the exchange rate.
The good news: specialist money transfer services have transformed international remittances. In 2026, sending money from Germany to Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, or most other African countries is faster, cheaper, and more flexible than ever. This guide helps you find the best option for your situation.
The Key Factor: Exchange Rate Markup
Before comparing providers, understand the single most important metric: the exchange rate markup. Every provider converts your euros at some exchange rate. The "real" rate — the one banks use with each other — is the mid-market rate (you can check it on Google at any time).
Most services add a markup on top of this rate — typically 0.5% to 4% — which is their hidden profit [1][2]. A service advertising "zero fees" is almost always making money through a worse exchange rate. The only honest way to compare is to check the "recipient receives" amount for your specific transfer on each platform's calculator before committing.
The Main Services Compared
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Best for: Transparent pricing, large transfers, bank-to-bank transfers, regular senders who want predictable costs.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup — it charges a transparent percentage fee instead (from around 0.48% of the transfer amount) [1]. You see the exact fee upfront before confirming. Most Wise transfers are instant or arrive within hours; some take up to 2 business days depending on the destination currency.
Limitation: Wise delivers to bank accounts only — no cash pickup, no mobile money wallets. If your recipient doesn't have a stable bank account, this is a problem. Wise is also not available for all African currency corridors.
Register: wise.com — free account, available as app and desktop.
Remitly
Best for: Mobile money delivery, cash pickup, Express transfers when speed matters, African corridors.
Remitly is designed specifically for immigrants sending money home and has excellent coverage across Africa — including mobile money wallets (MTN Mobile Money, M-Pesa, Airtel Money) and cash pickup networks [1][3]. It offers two delivery speeds:
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Express: Funded by debit card, arrives in minutes to hours
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Economy: Funded by bank transfer (SEPA), takes 3–5 business days, cheaper
Remitly charges a service fee plus an exchange rate markup [1]. The markup varies by corridor — check the live rate for your specific destination. First transfers often qualify for a promotional zero-fee offer. Remitly covers 170+ countries including 40+ African countries [3].
WorldRemit
Best for: African mobile wallets, airtime top-up, broad African country coverage.
WorldRemit is headquartered in London and has long specialised in Africa-to-diaspora and diaspora-to-Africa transfers. It offers bank deposits, mobile wallets, cash pickup, and a unique airtime top-up feature (send mobile credit directly to someone's phone) [4]. Fees are typically flat: €1–€5 per transfer plus an exchange rate markup of 0.5–4% depending on the corridor.
Western Union
The oldest and widest cash pickup network in the world — with agents in thousands of post offices, supermarkets, and currency exchange shops across Germany (search at wu.com). Useful if your recipient needs physical cash in a location without reliable banking. However, fees and exchange rate markups at Western Union tend to be higher than the digital-first providers above [4].
How to Get the Best Rate: A Practical Approach
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Check Google for the mid-market rate of EUR → your destination currency (e.g. EUR/GHS, EUR/NGN, EUR/KES)
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Open the calculator on Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit and enter your transfer amount
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Compare the "recipient receives" figure — not the advertised exchange rate or fees in isolation
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Consider delivery method — does your recipient need mobile money or bank transfer?
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Consider speed — is it urgent (use Express/debit card) or can it wait (use Economy/bank transfer for lower cost)?
Rule of thumb: For bank-to-bank transfers to countries with good banking infrastructure, Wise is usually cheapest for amounts above €200. For mobile money or cash pickup, compare Remitly and WorldRemit. For very small amounts under €50, fixed fees matter more — check each platform's calculator.
Sending Large Amounts: What to Know
All providers are regulated financial institutions and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws. For transfers above certain thresholds (typically €1,000–€2,000), providers will require identity verification: passport, proof of address, and sometimes proof of income or the purpose of the transfer [1][4].
Keep documentation ready — particularly for large transfers. Delays on first high-value transfers are common while verification is completed.
Can I Send Money to My Home Country While Still Getting Settled?
Yes — all major services work from Germany with just a German IBAN and verified identity. You don't need to be a German citizen. Most services accept payments via:
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SEPA bank transfer (slowest, cheapest — 1–3 business days from your German bank account)
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Debit card (instant funding, slightly higher fee)
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Credit card (usually adds a ~3% surcharge — avoid if possible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Wise is fully available in Germany. However, coverage for African countries varies — some currencies (like Nigerian Naira NGN, Kenyan Shilling KES, Ghanaian Cedi GHS) are supported, while others may have limited or no availability [1]. Always check the destination country on wise.com before assuming it's covered. For missing corridors, try Remitly or WorldRemit.
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