Wise Euro Account Review 2024
If you’re travelling to any of the 20 countries that use the euro – or if you shop online with retailers based in the euro area – having an account which lets you hold, exchange and spend EUR can help cut currency conversion costs.
Wise offers an intuitive online and in-app euro account you can use to hold, send, receive and manage euros alongside Australian dollars and 40+ other currencies for convenience.
This comprehensive review walks through key features of the Wise euro account, including exchange rates, fees, account security, and what else you can do with a Wise multi-currency account.
Wise euro account key points
- Fully digital account opening, onboarding and management
- Add money in Australian dollars, euros, or any of the +20 supported top up currencies
- 40+ currencies supported for holding and exchange
- Currency conversion with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.43%
- Get the Wise debit card for easy spending in 150+ countries
- Receive payments to your account in euros, Australian dollars and up to 7 other currencies, with your own local bank details
- No foreign transaction fees when spending overseas
Pros and cons of Wise euro account
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| Cons |
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What is a Wise euro account?
With a Wise euro account you can hold, send, spend, receive and exchange euros alongside 40+ other currencies.
You can add money to your account in Australian dollars, euros or another of the Wise supported currencies, to spend conveniently in EUR with your Wise card, or to send money overseas. That can be handy if you’re travelling, if you shop online and pay in euros, or if you have invoices or bills to pay abroad.
Wise euro accounts also have the bonus that you can activate bank details to receive EUR, so people from the euro area can pay you in EUR as easily as they would someone living locally in the Eurozone. Sending a local payment is usually cheap or free for the sender, and it’s free for you to receive a EUR transfer to your Wise account, too.
Read a full review on Wise borderless account here.
Can I open a Wise euro account in Australia?
Yes. You can open a Wise euro account in Australia, as a personal or business customer.
How can I activate a euro account in Wise?
To activate a euro account with Wise you’ll need to open a Wise account and then add a EUR currency balance. The process is pretty straightforward and can be done from your phone or laptop.
Here’s how to open a Wise account and activate a Wise euro currency balance:
- Download the Wise app, or open the Wise desktop site
- Register with your email address, or an Apple, Google or FaceBook account
- Follow the prompts to enter your personal details
- Upload your ID documents for verification
- Once your account is verified, tap Open in the app homepage
- Select Currency Balance and tap EUR to open your euro account
- Top up your balance, complete any required security step, and you’re done!
When is a Wise euro account needed?
A Wise euro account can be handy for both personal and business use. Having a euro account means you can hold an euro balance which is great if you’re planning travel, or if you have bills to pay in EUR. It can also make budgeting for your holidays easier, as you’ll be able to add money in dollars and switch to euros in advance, so you know exactly what you have to spend.
Wise euro accounts also offer linked international debit cards which you can use to spend globally. If you have euros in your account already and you’re spending in the euro area, there’s no fee – if you don’t have EUR the card can convert from your account balance automatically, with the lowest available fees instead. Having a Wise debit card for travel is convenient and safe for personal account holders – and business customers can also order and issue expense cards to their team to manage international business spending in euros.
When you open your Wise euro account you’ll also be able to get euro bank details to receive payments to your account. If a friend needs to send you money you can simply give them these details to be paid in EUR. Or, if you’re a business owner or freelancer, you can use your EUR details to be paid by customers and clients. Once you have a euro balance, withdraw it back to your AUD account with mid-market exchange rates, or hold it as EUR and use it to spend with your linked card, or to send on to others, to cover invoices or pay employees for example.
How does the Wise euro account compare?
Australian customers have a good selection of options when it comes to euro accounts for day to day use. If you’re not sure whether the Wise euro account is right for you, it’s worth comparing a few euro account alternatives – here’s an overview of Wise vs a couple of top picks: Revolut and Starling.
| Wise EUR account | Revolut EUR account | HSBC EUR account | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability in Australia | Available to personal and business customers | Available to personal and business customers | Available to personal customers |
| Global usage | Y | Y | Y |
| Conversion fees | From 0.43% | All accounts offer some no fee conversion
0.5% fair usage fee once fee free conversion is exhausted |
No conversion fee, but exchange rates may include a markup |
| Exchange rate fees | No fees; mid-market exchange rate | Out of hours fees may apply | Exchange rates may include a markup
3% foreign transaction fee may apply when spending an unsupported currency |
| Other fees | 10 AUD fee to get a card
|
Monthly fees may apply depending on the account you pick | ATM operators may apply fees
|
| Linked Debit Card | Y | Y | Y |
| Best Features | Supports 40+ currencies
Local receiving account details for 9 currencies |
Supports 25+ currencies
Budgeting and saving tools available |
Supports 10 currencies
Huge range of HSBC products you can also choose |
Different euro account options have their own features and fees which might make them suited to specific customer needs.
Wise euro account offers impressive flexibility, with euros alongside 40+ other currencies, plus mid-market rate currency conversion.
Click here to read a complete Wise Review
Revolut’s euro account is also pretty flexible with 25+ supported currencies, and a good range of extras like budgeting and saving tools.
Finally, if you’re looking for a GBP account from a major global bank, to help you manage GBP transactions alongside all your other banking needs, you might like HSBC which has everything under one brand, so you can keep all your finances in one place.
Wise euro account fees
There are a few fees you’ll want to know about before you start using the Wise euro account – here’s a rundown of the key costs to consider:
| Features | Wise EUR account |
|---|---|
| Create account | No fee for personal customers, business customers pay a one time charge of 22 AUD for full account features |
| Account monthly fee | No fee |
| Fee to receive payments in euros | No fee |
| Fee to spend a currency you hold | No fee |
| Exchange rate | Mid market rate, low conversion fees from 0.43% |
| Send payments | Transparent fees from 0.43% |
| Fee to receive card | 10 AUD for personal customers, 6 AUD for business customers |
| ATM fees | 2 withdrawals to the value of 350 AUD/month free, then 1.75% + 1.5 AUD per withdrawal |
| Virtual cards | No fee |
Information correct at time of writing, 13th October 2023
Wise euro exchange rate
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate to convert to and from euros, with low fees you’ll see in the app or online when you convert funds. The mid-market rate is the one you’ll find on Google or with a currency conversion tool, and Wise splits out all fees transparently which makes it easier to see the full costs you pay when you convert or send payments in foreign currencies.
How does the Wise euro account work?
Here’s a summary of how you can create and use the Wise euro account:
- Account Creation: Sign up for a Wise euro account online or by downloading the Wise app. You’ll just need to register, provide some basic personal information and upload images of your ID and proof of address for verification and security
- Fund Transfers: Once the account is set up, you can transfer funds into your Wise euro account from your bank account or with a card. You may also be able to use a mobile wallet like Apple Pay
- Sending and Receiving Payments: The Wise euro account allows users to send and receive euro payments, using the mid market exchange rate for conversion, plus a low fee. Get your local bank details from the Wise app, and give them to anyone sending you money – and send payments conveniently on the move with the Wise app
How to use the euro account abroad
You’ll be able to access your Wise euro account when you’re overseas, by logging in online or using the Wise app. Get a Wise card and you can also easily spend and withdraw when you’re away from home, with instant transaction notifications on the Wise app for security.
What is the eligibility for a Wise euro account?
To open a Wise euro account you’ll need to be able to provide proof of ID and address for verification purposes. You’ll also have to be aged over 18.
This guide walks through setting up the Wise euro account for Australian customers – but the Wise euro account is also available to people in a broad range of other countries worldwide, subject to account verification processes. Head over to the Wise website to get the details if you’re in a different country.
Who is it good for?
The Wise euro account has broad international functions, making it handy for a range of people:
- Frequent travellers and anyone shopping online and paying in euros or 40+ other currencies
- Anyone sending payments overseas digitally, for personal or business purposes
- Customers looking to manage their travel budget by locking in exchange rates in advance
- Business owners who want to issue international expense cards to their teams
- Freelancers, entrepreneurs and individuals getting paid in foreign currencies
- Anyone looking for a flexible account that can be opened and managed with just a phone
Is a Wise euro account safe to use?
The Wise euro account is safe to use. Wise is a fully regulated and trusted provider, overseen in Australia by ASIC. As a global company, Wise is also regulated by various financial authorities around the world, ensuring compliance with stringent security measures and data protection standards.
Availability
You can open your Wise euro account from Australia, or from a broad range of other countries using a local proof of address and ID. The Wise international debit card is issued on either the Visa or Mastercard network, and can be used in 150+ countries, wherever you see your card’s network logo.
Other available currencies
Wise supports over 40 other currencies as well as euros and Australian dollars, allowing users to hold and transact in multiple currencies, including major global currencies such as US, Singapore and Canadian dollars, pounds, and other European currencies such as NOK, SEK, RON and HUF.
Wise euro account limits
There’s no limit to the amount of money you can hold in your Wise euro account. However, for security, Wise does have various card limits which can be adjusted in the app. These limits are based on type of spending, including monthly and daily maximum caps.
Wise euro account alternatives
As we saw earlier, Wise isn’t the only option for a powerful euro account in Australia. You could also consider a multi-currency digital euro account from a provider like Revolut, or look to a global bank like HSBC for a euro account you can open alongside your AUD account. Which suits you will depend on your personal preferences and how you expect to transact.
Conclusion
The Wise euro account offers a range of features and benefits for customers looking to manage their money efficiently across dollars, euros and a selection of other currencies. You can use the Wise euro account as a personal or business customer, to hold, send, spend, receive and exchange euros alongside 40+ other currencies, with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.43% for conversion.
FAQ – Wise euro account
How do I open a euro account with Wise?
Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app by entering your personal information and uploading an image of your ID and proof of address. You can then simply tap to open a euro currency balance, to top up, convert, send and receive euros conveniently.
What is the account limit for Wise in euro?
There’s no limit to the amount you can hold in your Wise euro account, but there are some limits applied to card spending. These limits are used for security reasons, and can be adjusted in the Wise app conveniently.
How do I add euros to Wise?
Open a Wise euro account, and simply log in and tap Add to top up in euros or another supported currency. You can also get local EUR account details, and give them to anyone who needs to send you a payment in euros.
