More and more Colombians need to send money to Europe: whether it's to help family members, pay for studies, buy property or invest. However, high fees and unfavorable exchange rates can make a simple transfer an unnecessary expense.
In this updated guide for 2025, we compared the main options for send money from Colombia to Europe and we show you how to choose the best alternative according to your needs and budget.
🔎 Key Factors When Comparing Shipping Options
Before choosing how to send your money, consider:
- Real exchange rate vs. offered rate
- Fixed and variable fees
- Transfer speed
- Ease of use and requirements
- Shipping Limits
🏆 Comparison: Top options for sending money from Colombia to Europe
1. Traditional banks (Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA)
- Commission: from 20 USD up to 60 USD depending on the bank and amount.
- Exchange rate: less favorable, with surcharges.
- Velocidad: 2 to 5 business days.
- Advantages: security and backup.
- Disadvantages: high costs and red tape.
- Ideal for: high amounts when it is preferred to use only banks.
2. Plenti
- Commission: from 1.99 USD by transfer.
- Exchange rate: competitive, close to the market rate.
- Velocidad: 24 business hours.
- Advantages:
- You can pay from your balance in dollars (pre-purchased or received from the U.S.) UU.).
- You don't need intermediary banks.
- Everything is managed from the app.
- Ideal for: freelancers, entrepreneurs, and those who already manage or receive dollars.
3. Western Union
- Commission: varies depending on the amount and method of payment; can be high in large amounts.
- Exchange rate: less favorable than the real market.
- Velocidad: 1 business day.
- Advantages: comprehensive coverage, cash withdrawal or bank deposit.
- Ideal for: small family shipments or when the recipient doesn't have a bank account.
4. Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- Commission: 0.5% to 1.5% of the amount.
- Exchange rate: very close to the real market rate.
- Velocidad: 1 to 3 business days.
- Advantages: transparency in commissions and fees.
- Ideal for: recurring payments or average amounts.
You know the options, choose the best one. Download Plenti here
