Instant money transfer: the fastest ways to send money

Whether you’re covering an emergency, splitting a bill, or paying for goods, we all want the same thing: money that moves as fast as we do.

The good news is that traditional banking wait times are becoming a thing of the past. Modern financial technology has made sending money quicker and simpler than ever before. We’re here to explain how money transfers work, the timeframes you can expect, and how we make sending money abroad quick and easy.

Read on to learn how to send money instantly.

What's an instant money transfer?

An instant money transfer moves money from the sender's account to the recipient's account immediately, often within seconds. This isn't just a marketing term — it refers to a specific process where the payment is settled and the money's made available to the recipient immediately.

This speed is usually facilitated by modern, automated payment systems that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Unlike older systems that batch payments and process them only during working hours, instant payment systems ensure immediate availability of the money to the recipient. The key difference is that the recipient can use the money almost as soon as the sender presses Send.

Real-time payments vs fast transfers

A common point of confusion is the difference between a fast transfer and a truly instant one. Here's a quick summary:

• Instant transfer (real-time): money is moved and made available to the recipient right away (usually within 10 seconds). Examples include UK Faster Payments (FPS) and Revolut-to-Revolut transfers. The whole process is completed in a single action.
• Fast transfer (same-day or next-day): these are quicker than traditional wire transfers but may still take a few hours or up to a full business day. This might happen if a bank has an internal review process, a cut-off time, or if the money needs to move between 2 different, non-integrated banking systems.

The technology behind instant payment networks

Instant transfers rely on centralised infrastructure known as Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) or, more commonly, dedicated instant payment systems like the UK’s FPS. These systems replace manual checks and end-of-day batch processing with automated processing. Every transaction is authenticated and settled individually, so there's no need for long clearing periods.

At Revolut, we connect directly to these local payment systems across multiple countries, allowing us to bypass slower global banking networks whenever a local instant option is available.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers

This is the fastest method of all, relying on closed networks created by financial technology companies. When both the sender and the recipient use the same service, like Revolut, the transfer doesn't need to go through traditional interbank networks and the payment can be made immediately.

Transfers between Revolut customers — even globally — are generally instant, taking only seconds, regardless of the time or day.

How do instant bank transfers work in the UK?

The role of the Faster Payments Service (FPS)

FPS is the backbone of almost all instant transfers between UK banks and financial institutions. Since its launch, it has transformed how people manage their daily finances, ensuring utility bills, wages, and social payments are all processed instantly.

There are 2 requirements for an instant bank transfer:

• Participation: both the sending and the receiving institution must be direct or indirect participants in the FPS scheme. Most major UK institutions, including us, are fully integrated.
• Compliance: the transfer must meet the scheme's requirements, including staying within specified transaction limits and passing automated security checks.

If both parties meet these criteria, the transfer should be instant.

How to make an instant transfer

The speed of the system means the complex process happens in the background, making the customer experience straightforward. Here's how it works:

1. Initiation: log in and choose the option to make a payment or transfer money.
2. Recipient details: enter the recipient’s details (including account number and sort code). For transfers to friends who are also with Revolut, simply select their name from your contacts.
3. Review and authorise: specify the amount and review the details. Our system checks for any mistakes or insufficient funds.
4. Processing via FPS: once it's been confirmed, your payment instructions are sent instantly through the FPS network.
5. Real-time settlement: the receiver’s financial institution receives the payment instruction and, after conducting its own checks, immediately makes the money available in the receiver's account.

This entire process typically takes less than 10 seconds, giving you real-time certainty that your money has arrived.

The need for instant international money transfers

Here's why you might need to send or receive money from abroad right away:

• Emergencies: sending money urgently to a loved one who has lost their card or needs medical attention abroad
• Time-sensitive payments: making a quick payment to secure a rental property or a limited-time booking
• Currency fluctuations: minimising the risk of unfavourable exchange rate changes by making the transaction instantly
• Freelancer or small business payments: ensuring quick payment to an international contractor or supplier to keep projects running smoothly

Depending on the specifics of your payment, international transfers with Revolut can arrive within 3–5 business days.

However, we offer several fast transfer options:

• Instant transfers (Revolut-to-Revolut): transfers between Revolut customers are generally instant, regardless of location
• Instant transfers (euros sent in Europe): transfers in euros within the EEA zone may be instant if the receiving bank supports SEPA Instant, as we do
• Transfers to cards: these can arrive in a matter of minutes

Exchange fees, remittance fees, limits, and T&Cs apply.

Sending money overseas instantly with Revolut

Our mission is to remove the friction and delays associated with international payments, offering a smooth, fast, and transparent experience.

Revolut-to-Revolut transfers

The fastest way to send money with us is to another Revolut customer. As mentioned above, since the transfer stays entirely within our system, it’s generally instant. You can send money to any friend on Revolut in over 200 countries and territories for free. Exchange fees and fair usage limits may apply based on your plan.

You don't need complicated account numbers or SWIFT codes. You simply select the recipient from your contact list in our money transfer app. This makes sending money abroad as simple as sending a text message.

Fast transfers to external bank accounts

We also ensure your money moves quickly even when leaving our network. We leverage local instant payment systems wherever possible for instant money transfers to external bank accounts overseas.

When sending euros within the SEPA zone or British pounds within the UK, we use the local instant transfer systems to ensure the money reaches the receiving bank as quickly as the scheme allows — often in seconds. For other countries, we show you the estimated arrival time up front, so you always know when the money should land.

Clarity on costs

Another benefit is the clarity of the process. We always show you the exchange rate, the transfer fee (if any), and the amount the recipient will receive before you confirm the transaction. This means no surprises later.

Key factors that affect transfer speed

Even with the best money transfer services, a few common factors can impact whether a transfer is truly instant or slightly delayed. Understanding these elements can help you plan your international transfers effectively.

Bank cut-off times

While instant payment networks run 24/7, some receiving banks, particularly older ones, may still have internal cut-off times. If a payment arrives after their processing deadline, they might hold the money until the start of the next business day, even if the payment was sent instantly. This is less common for UK domestic payments but still applies to some international transfers.

Anti-money laundering (AML) checks

For security purposes, all financial institutions must monitor transactions for fraud and compliance. When a transfer involves a large sum, an unusual destination, or a new beneficiary, it may be automatically flagged for a manual review. This is a crucial security measure that can cause a delay of a few hours or, in rare cases, a business day. We're committed to keeping your money safe and these checks are part of that promise.

Currencies and the receiving country's banking system

The speed of a transfer is limited by the slowest participant in the process. If you're sending money to a country that doesn't have 24/7 instant payment infrastructure, the transfer will take longer, regardless of how quickly it left the UK. This is why instant international money transfers depend not only on our own technology but also the capabilities of the local banking system.

Start sending money instantly

Switching to a modern, fast service like ours makes managing your money much simpler and quicker, even when you're doing it internationally. Here's how you can get started:

1. Download the Revolut app: get it on the App Store or Google Play and complete the sign-up process.
2. Verify your identity: follow the in-app prompts to verify your account. This usually involves taking a photo of your ID and a quick selfie.
3. Add money to your account: top up your new account from your existing bank or debit card.
4. Initiate a transfer: navigate to Payments in-app, select the recipient (either another Revolut customer or an external bank account), enter the amount, and review the final conversion rate and estimated arrival time.
5. Hit Send: confirm the details and tap Send to complete your speedy money transfer.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

The information provided is accurate as of 14 October 2025.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.