Holvi supports transfers to and from 60+ countries in 20 different currencies.
Whether you’re managing business finances across Europe or sending payments globally, your Holvi account gives you the flexibility to use both SEPA and SWIFT payments. And with our new multi-currency accounts, you can hold and transfer foreign currencies without paying standard conversion fees.
Below is a quick guide to where and how you can move your money with Holvi.
International payment types at a glance
| Payment type | Supported currencies | Supported countries | Fees per transaction | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPA Instant | EUR only | 41 European countries (SEPA member nations) | Free up to plan limits | < 10 seconds, 24/7/365 |
| SEPA | EUR only | 41 European countries (SEPA member nations) | Free up to plan limits | 1–2 banking days |
| SWIFT | EUR + 19 currencies | 60+ countries worldwide (incl. SEPA) |
€0.50–€1.00 service fee 0.5%–1% currency conversion fee |
0–5 banking days |
| SWIFT to/from currency accounts | 19 currencies (payment must match account currency) | 60+ countries worldwide (incl. SEPA) | €0.50–€1.00 service fee | 0-5 banking days |
What’s the difference between SEPA and SWIFT?
While both networks enable cross-border transfers, they serve different purposes based on location and currency:
- SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area): Designed to make Euro (€) payments within Europe as simple, fast, and secure as domestic transfers.
- SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication): A global network used when money needs to travel outside of Europe, or when you’re transacting in a currency other than the Euro.
For a full comparison, see SEPA vs SWIFT: what’s the difference?
Which one should I use?
- Euro (€), to an IBAN in the SEPA zone → SEPA transfer (“bank transfer”).
- Any other currency, or euro to an account outside the SEPA zone → SWIFT transfer (“international transfer”).
💶 SEPA payments: Euro transfers within Europe
SEPA payments are fast, secure, and low-cost euro transfers across 40+ European countries. They typically arrive the next working day — or within 10 seconds via SEPA Instant.
If you live in Europe, you're already using them: your everyday domestic bank transfers are actually SEPA payments! This means sending euros internationally within the SEPA zone works exactly the same as sending money locally.
SEPA payments are euro-only
To send non-euro payments to SEPA countries (e.g. krones to Sweden), you’ll need to use SWIFT.
Supported countries for SEPA payments
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
SEPA, summarised
- Currency: Always in euros, even if the recipient’s country uses a different currency (e.g. Sweden or Poland). Non-euro transfers to/from SEPA countries must be made as SWIFT transfers.
- Account location: Both sender and recipient must have accounts in SEPA countries.
- Account format: IBAN numbers are required.
👉 Learn more about SEPA payments
🌍 SWIFT payments & Multi-currency accounts
Holvi supports international SWIFT payments, allowing transfers in 20 currencies to 60+ countries, including SEPA nations.
SWIFT ensures secure global transfers, ideal for business outside Europe or in non-euro currencies. Transfers usually arrive the same day, but can take up to 5 business days depending on destination and intermediaries.
NEW: Multi-currency payment accounts
Holvi now offers payment accounts in 20 different currencies, each with its own IBAN, allowing you to receive, hold, and send money in that currency to any of our 60+ supported SWIFT countries.
Payments made in the account’s currency do not incur exchange fees, allowing for simpler and more cost-effective SWIFT payments.
Supported countries and currencies
Note: Payments sent outside of these supported currencies or countries will be returned to the sender.
SWIFT
Supported countries for SWIFT payments
Americas
- Argentina
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- United States
- Uruguay
Asia-Pacific
- Australia
- China
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
Middle East & Africa
- Bahrain
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
Europe (all SEPA countries)
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
SWIFT & currency accounts
Supported currencies for SWIFT payments & currency accounts
- Australian Dollar AUD
- British Pound GBP
- Canadian Dollar CAD
- Chinese Yuan (Offshore) CNH
- Czech Koruna CZK
- Danish Krone DKK
- Euro EUR
- Hong Kong Dollar HKD
- Hungarian Forint HUF
- Israeli New Shekel ILS
- Japanese Yen JPY
- New Zealand Dollar NZD
- Norwegian Krone NOK
- Polish Zloty PLN
- Romanian Leu RON
- Singapore Dollar SGD
- Swedish Krona SEK
- Swiss Franc CHF
- United Arab Emirates Dirham AED
- US Dollar USD
SWIFT, summarised
- Currency: 20 supported currencies (including EUR).
- Locations: Sender or recipient in one of 60+ supported countries (including SEPA).
- Requirements: SWIFT/BIC code and IBAN or local account number, depending on country.
- Fees: Please see below.
👉 Learn more about SWIFT payments
👉 Learn more about multi-currency payment accounts
International transfer fees (SWIFT)
Whether you’re expanding into new markets or managing international vendors, our pricing is designed to keep your costs low and your transfers simple.
Standard SWIFT transfer fees
| Plan type | Fixed transfer fee | Currency conversion fee from EUR account |
|---|---|---|
| Business plan | €0.50* | 0.5% |
| Flex, Lite, Pro, Zen, Zen+ | €1.00 | 1% |
| Associations (Flex & Pro) | €1.00 | 1% |
*Holvi Business plans in Finland include 5 SWIFT transfers per month.
Multi-currency account fees
- For matching currency transfers (e.g. USD to a USD account), the 0.5%–1% currency exchange fee does not apply. You’ll only pay the fixed transfer fee.
- Multi-currency accounts count as additional payment accounts. Plans include a set number of free additional IBANs; beyond that, you’ll pay €1–€2 per account each month.
A note on SWIFT fees
- These rates apply to our customers in Germany, Finland, Austria and all other supported regions.
- This pricing applies specifically to transfers. Purchases made with your Holvi card follow our standard card payment terms.
- We’ve set these rates to ensure that doing business across borders is as predictable and affordable as possible.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between SEPA and SWIFT in Holvi?
You don’t need to work it out yourself. Select “Bank transfer” for euro payments within the SEPA zone and “International transfer” for everything else.
If you start an international transfer that could be sent as a SEPA transfer instead, we’ll let you know.
Can I send euros to a SEPA country, but in their local currency?
Yes, but it’s a SWIFT transfer, not a SEPA transfer. SEPA only carries euros. If you want to pay a Swedish supplier in krona or a UK supplier in pounds, use “International transfer”.
If you pay them in euros instead, it’s a SEPA transfer and free within your plan’s limits.
What happens if I send money to a country or currency that isn’t supported?
The payment can’t be processed and is returned to your account. The same applies to incoming payments: if someone sends you money from an unsupported country or in an unsupported currency, it’s returned to the sender.
Check the country and currency lists above before sending, or before giving your details to a payer abroad.
Why did less money arrive than was sent?
SWIFT payments often pass through one or more intermediary banks, and each can take a fee. Whether that fee comes out of the amount depends on which charging option the sender chose. SEPA payments always arrive in full.
See Fees and deductions for international transfers (SWIFT).
When do I pay the currency conversion fee?
Only when the payment’s currency is different from the account it’s sent from or received into. A US dollar payment from your euro account is converted, so the 0.5%–1% fee applies. The same payment sent from or received into a USD currency account isn’t converted, so you only pay the fixed service fee.
See Payment accounts in multiple currencies
Do multi-currency accounts cost anything?
Each currency account counts as an additional account. Your plan includes a number of free additional IBANs; beyond that, each account costs €1–€2 per month depending on your plan.
There’s no additional fee for holding a balance in a foreign currency. Learn more about currency accounts
What does “offshore” mean for Chinese yuan (CNH)?
The Chinese yuan is traded in two markets: onshore inside mainland China (CNY) and offshore outside it, mainly in Hong Kong (CNH). It’s the same currency, but the exchange rates can differ slightly. CNH is used for payments to yuan accounts at banks outside mainland China.
Are any SWIFT transfers included in my plan?
Holvi Business plans in Finland include 5 SWIFT transfers per month. After the included transfers, the standard fees above apply.
How long does an international transfer take?
Most SWIFT transfers arrive the same day, but they can take up to 5 business days depending on the destination, the currency and how many banks the payment passes through. Public holidays in any of those countries can add time.
See When will my international transfer arrive? (SWIFT). If a payment is late, see Where is my money?
What details does someone abroad need to pay me?
From the SEPA zone, in euros: your IBAN and account holder name. From anywhere else, or in another currency: your IBAN, Holvi’s BIC, your account holder name and address. If you have a currency account, give them that account’s IBAN so the payment arrives without conversion.
See How to receive international payments (SWIFT).
Do these fees apply to card payments abroad?
No. The fees on this page are for bank transfers only. Payments made with your Holvi card in a foreign currency follow the card’s own terms.
Foreign exchange fee for card transactions are 1–2.5% depending on your plan. See our fee schedules
Need help?
If you’re unsure whether you can send or receive a specific payment with Holvi, our support team is happy to help!