Does Zelle Work in Spain? And What to Use Instead

Zelle is a popular digital payment network designed for fast transfers between bank accounts within the United States. It allows users to send and receive money directly from their banking apps, typically within minutes. This service has gained widespread adoption due to its convenience and integration with many major U.S. financial institutions. Its primary appeal lies in simplifying domestic transactions for millions of users.

Zelle’s Operational Scope

Zelle is exclusively designed for transactions between U.S.-based bank accounts and does not support international transfers, including those to Spain. Both the sender and recipient must have a U.S. bank account and a U.S. registered mobile number or email address. This limitation stems from Zelle’s infrastructure, which is rooted in the U.S. financial system and does not integrate with international financial networks.

Cross-Border Payment Alternatives

Several services offer reliable ways to send money to Spain. International money transfer services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer competitive exchange rates and often lower fees compared to traditional banks. Wise allows users to send money to Spain with transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate, making it a cost-effective option for many. Transfers through Wise can often arrive quickly, sometimes within minutes, especially when funded from a Wise account or via certain payment methods.

Revolut is another option, providing an app-based platform for international transfers and currency exchange. While Revolut offers fee-free transfers between its own accounts, transfers to non-Revolut bank accounts may incur a small fee, around €5 for international transfers. Exchange rates with Revolut can vary, and users should review these rates within the app before confirming a transaction.

PayPal also supports international money transfers to Spain, offering convenience for those already using the platform. However, PayPal’s international transfer fees can range from €1.99 to €3.99, and currency conversion fees, which can be around 3% to 4.5%, may apply, potentially making it less cost-effective than specialized services. Alternatively, Xoom, a PayPal service, specializes in international money transfers and can deliver funds to Spain within minutes for bank deposits, often with low upfront fees but potential exchange rate markups.

Traditional bank wire transfers remain an option for sending money internationally. These transfers can be slower, often taking one to five business days, and involve higher fees compared to digital services. Banks may charge an outgoing international wire transfer fee ranging from $5 to $75, plus an additional fee for currency conversion. Remitly is another digital service offering international transfers, with fees and exchange rates varying based on destination and transfer speed, providing options for bank deposits or cash pickup.