Want to transfer money without a Bank Account? No problem!

With Western Union, you can easily transfer money without a bank account, within minutes, worldwide. We explain just how easy it is.

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Never mind SEPA transfers and cryptocurrencies in mobile wallets, you can transfer money without a bank account — but how? Online banking, apps and web-based money transfer services are now omnipresent. But what if you want to transfer money without a bank account?

 

There are actually a number of options for cash transfers. Find out how to transfer money without a bank account with Western Union, how long it takes and what it costs.

Can I transfer money without a Bank Account?

Account-free transfers are one of Western Union’s staple services. With Western Union, you can make a cash transfer to another person’s bank account or complete the entire transfer in cash, so neither the sender nor the recipient needs a bank account.

The person who wants to send money deposits the desired amount plus the applicable fees at a Western Union location. The money is typically also paid out via a Western Union agent location at the destination in cash.

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If you want to transfer money without a bank account, the process for making a transfer at a Western Union location is generally as follows:

  1. You present a valid EU identity card or passport.
  2. You fill out the send money form and sign it.
  3. You hand over the desired amount for the transfer and pay the service fee.

 

When you pick up a cash transfer, you will need the following documents and information:

  1. Valid proof of identity accepted by the provider.
  2. Details of the transfer, such as the transfer amount and the name of the person sending it.
  3. Reference number for the transfer.

How do I transfer money without a Bank Account with Western Union?

With Western Union, you have two easy and affordable ways to transfer money without a bank account:

Send money without a Bank Account with Cash

For straightforward money transfers, simply head to the nearest Western Union location in Germany. All you need to do is find the Western Union location you want, and you can arrange the cash transfer then and there.

If you want to transfer cash as quickly as possible without using a bank account, you can also start the money transfer on our website or in the app. This way, you get fixed fees for the transfer and faster processing, but you still pay in cash at a location. This is how it works:

Go to our website or download the Western Union® app and sign up for a free online account or log in.

Start a transfer order and fix the exchange rate and fees.

Select the option “Pay on site.”

Pay within 12 hours at a participating Western Union® location in Germany.

Don’t forget to take your photo ID and cash with you so you can complete the money transfer. Paperless transfers means faster money transfers.

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Transfer money without a Bank Account with a Prepaid Card

Whether debit or credit card¹, there are prepaid cards available that are not linked to a bank account. You can use these cards to make a cash transfer to a recipient abroad or within Germany via Western Union online. The amount can then be collected in cash or received in a bank account or—depending on the destination country—a mobile wallet1.

How long does the Cash Transfer take?

When you make a cash transfer, the duration of the transfer depends on your chosen method. Western Union, for example, can credit your money within minutes2 or up to three working days2. The actual duration of the cash transfer depends on when, where and how you make the transfer, and what options you choose for receiving it.

Since bank branches have to process a cash transfer to another person’s account manually, you should expect this option to take several days. The same applies to sending a registered letter with Deutsche Post: With good timing and a little luck, your letter will arrive the next day, but it can also take longer.

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How much does it cost to transfer money without a Bank Account?

The cost of transferring money without a bank account also depends on the chosen provider:

  • You can find the fees for a digital transfer at westernunion.com. For a transfer from a Western Union location, please inquire at the location.
  • The cost of sending a registered letter with Deutsche Post is currently (as of June 3, 2024) EUR 4.45 plus the applicable basic postage.
  • The cost of a cash transfer to another person’s bank account varies depending on the bank selected and ranges between EUR 3 and EUR 15. However, when transferring money abroad, the prices can also be much higher.

Conclusion: What is the best way to transfer money without a Bank Account?

If you want to transfer money without a bank account, you have several options: You can use a financial service provider like Western Union, go into a local bank branch or send the money by registered mail with Deutsche Post. However, to make a cash transfer to someone else’s account at a bank, the recipient must have a bank account. With Deutsche Post, you can only send money in Germany and the registered letter is only insured up to an amount of EUR 100. So out of the three options for making money transfers without a bank account, only Western Union gives you the full freedom to send and receive cash.

FAQs

Can you send cash and have the receiver receive cash?

With Western Union, you can transfer cash and receive it in cash worldwide. You can arrange the transfer online and paper-free or directly at the Western Union location of your choice. Payment is always made in cash and at the location. You can also send cash within Germany by registered mail with Deutsche Post. However, if the letter is lost, it is only insured up to an amount of EUR 100.

Can you make a transfer without your own bank account?

You don’t need your own bank account to transfer money. For domestic transfers, you can use a service provider like Western Union, make a cash transfer to another person’s account at selected bank branches or send money by registered mail. Of these three options, only Western Union allows you to make a cash transfer abroad where neither the sender nor the recipient needs an account and the money can be paid out in cash.

1 Additional third-party charges may apply.

2 Transfer speed and fund availability may be affected by factors such as service choice, amount, destination, currency, regulations, ID requirements, and system availability of our banking partners. Not available for all transactions. See Terms for details.