Receiving a foreign currency payment on Wise Business: how much does it really cost (and how to pay less)

What Wise does very well

• Local bank details in multiple currencies: your client pays by local transfer, without SWIFT. Wise also allows you to receive and hold Swiss francs.

• Holding more than 40 currencies, converted at the mid-market rate.

• Fees stated before each conversion.

Where the costs lie

1. Opening: A €60 one-off fee to activate the account and obtain bank details.

2. Receiving: Free for local transfers in major currencies, with fixed fees on SWIFT payments (CHF 3.55 per payment received in Swiss francs).

3. Conversion: This is the main expense. Wise applies a percentage fee, which varies depending on the currency pair, starting from 0.2% depending on the currency, and decreasing for amounts over €22,000 converted per month.

Numerical example

An SME collects CHF 30,000 per month and converts them into euros. With fees of 0.3 to 0.5% depending on the currency and volume, the conversion costs around €95 to €160 per month, or €1,100 to €1,900 per year. This is much less than a traditional bank, but on regular volumes, this gap can be negotiated.

How to pay less

• Group conversions together rather than converting each individual payment.

• Pay suppliers directly in the currency received, without double conversion.

• For volumes exceeding tens of thousands of euros per month, compare with a B2B foreign exchange specialist who negotiates a margin tailored to your volume.

• If your collections are predictable, fix your rate in advance with a forward contract to protect your margin from exchange rate fluctuations.

Wise and OSolto: complementary

Wise is an excellent transfer tool. OSolto steps in when your flows become strategic: as an independent broker registered with ORIAS, we compare solutions from approved partner B2B exchange specialists, negotiate your terms, and set up exchange rate hedging, with a dedicated contact person rather than online support.

Do your foreign currency flows exceed €20,000 per month? Have your exchange costs analysed for free. → Book an appointment

FAQ

Does Wise Business apply the real exchange rate?

Yes, Wise converts at the mid-market rate and charges separate conversion fees, shown before the transaction.

Can you receive Swiss francs with Wise Business?

Yes, the account can receive and hold CHF, with fixed fees of CHF 3.55 per SWIFT payment received.

How much does it cost to open a Wise Business account?

A €60 one-off fee, with no monthly subscription.