Sending money with Revolut is fast, transparent, and designed for modern routines. Whether you are paying a friend, splitting a bill, or funding a business partner overseas, the process stays simple and secure when you know the core steps.
This guide walks you through everyday payments, borderless transfers, and the small details that keep your money safe. Follow the structure below to move money confidently, choose the right option each time, and troubleshoot common issues quickly.
| Transfer Type | Speed | Fees | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends & Contacts (Instant) | Seconds to minutes | Free within allowance | Everyday person-to-person payments |
| Business Payments (Sort Code & Account) | UK: same day; EU: minutes to 24 hours | £0.20 to £2 depending on region | Freelance invoices and supplier payments |
| International Wire (Recipient Bank) | 1–5 business days | 0.5% to 1% + fixed fee | Large or formal bank transfers |
| Currency Exchange Payout | Next business day | Transparent rate, small fee | Converting before sending abroad |
Getting Started with Revolut Payments
To send money with Revolut, open the app, select Pay, choose a contact or enter recipient details, pick the currency and payment method, confirm the amount, and approve the transaction with your PIN, biometrics, or security key. You can use your balance, a card, or an external bank account, and you will see clear fees and exchange rates before you confirm.
Each payment method affects speed and cost, so it helps to check availability in your country and any daily limits. Business accounts often include higher limits and extra approval options, while personal accounts are optimized for quick transfers to friends and family without complex setup. Keeping your profile complete and your phone secure reduces delays and fraud checks, so you can move money smoothly.
Revolut supports payments in multiple currencies, letting you lock in a rate today for a transfer that lands tomorrow. If you hold several currencies in your Wallet, you can convert and send with fewer steps, avoiding hidden charges from traditional banks. Make sure your account is activated, your preferred cards are linked, and your notification settings are on so you never miss a confirmation or update.
Sending to Friends and Contacts
Paying back a colleague or sending birthday money is designed to feel like a message app, with instant visibility and minimal taps. You can split bills, share travel costs, or send gifts in different currencies while the app calculates exact amounts and any fees in real time.
Because these transfers use Revolut’s internal balances, they are usually free within your monthly allowance and settle in seconds. If you exceed the free allowance or choose a different currency, clear fee notifications appear before you confirm, so you always know what will be deducted. This mix of speed, transparency, and budgeting tools makes everyday peer-to-peer payments simple and predictable.
Group features and spending limits let you control how much each person can see or request, which is helpful for shared trips or managing family allowances. You can also schedule transfers in advance, set reminders for recurring payments, and review a detailed activity log for every transaction in your transaction history.
Sending to Businesses and Bank Accounts
Paying a supplier, landlord, or contractor requires more details, such as sort code and account number in the UK or IBAN and BIC in Europe. Revolut routes these payments through local clearing systems, so you should double-check the details to avoid delays or returns that can trigger extra fees.
Business plans often include priority processing, higher payment limits, and the option to lock in exchange rates for large international transfers. You can label each payment, attach notes or receipts, and use templates for regular invoices to save time. These features make it easier to match your internal records with external bank statements and reconcile accounts quickly.
Because bank transfers cross financial institutions, they are subject to local regulations and banking hours. Plan around cut-off times to ensure same day or next day processing, especially when large sums or tight deadlines are involved. For recurring business payouts, setting up saved templates reduces manual entry and lowers the risk of costly mistakes.
International Payments and Currencies
Sending money across borders with Revolut lets you choose whether to pay in the recipient’s currency or your local currency, and the app shows both options side by side. Transparent pricing means you can compare the effective rate with market rates and decide if exchanging first will save you money on larger amounts.
Some corridors are supported by direct bank partnerships, while others route through intermediary banks, which can affect delivery time and fees. Before you confirm, review the coverage map in the app, check any regulatory limits in the destination country, and confirm required details like SWIFT or IBAN. This preparation reduces the chance of funds sitting in intermediate holds or being returned to you.
For frequent cross-border payers, holding balances in key currencies and timing your conversions can cut costs and reduce volatility risk. Revolut’s transaction history and currency tools make it easier to track historical rates, estimate true costs, and plan larger transfers when rates move in your favor.
Optimizing Your Money Movement Strategy
- Use the in-app currency converter to compare exchange rates and fees before you convert.
- Take advantage of free transfer allowances for peer-to-peer payments whenever possible.
- Double-check destination currency and bank details to avoid delays and returns.
- Save frequent business recipients as templates to speed up repeated payments.
- Keep your phone and app updated, and enable notifications for every transaction.
- Monitor your monthly limits and upgrade if your business volume requires higher thresholds.
- Track exchange rates over time and schedule larger transfers when the rate supports you.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I find someone in Revolut to send money to?
Open the Pay tab, start typing a name, phone number, or username, and select the matching contact from your address book or Revocat network. If your contact is not yet on Revolut, you can still send by entering their bank details for a direct bank transfer.
What happens if I enter the wrong account details when paying a business?
Payments with incorrect sort code or account information may be returned quickly, but in some cases they can go through to the wrong account, which can delay recovery. Always verify details, use saved templates for regular suppliers, and contact support immediately if you suspect an error.
Can I cancel a payment after I have sent it with Revolut?
Cancellations are only possible while the payment is still pending, typically within seconds for instant peer-to-peer transfers. Once processed by the receiving bank, you will need to contact the recipient directly to request a refund and use other dispute channels for unauthorized payments.
Will the recipient see my full Revolut name when I send money?
By default, the recipient sees the name on your verified Revolut account and a payment reference you add, which helps them identify the sender quickly. Business recipients receive details aligned with invoicing information, supporting clearer bookkeeping for both sides.