Because banks shouldn't hide your money in spreads.
We expose the real cost of every transfer — the spread, the fees, the delivery time — and rank providers by what actually lands in your recipient's account. No sponsored ordering. Ever.
Sending $1,000 to Thailand
Hover any card to see exactly what it costs you.
7-Day Exchange Rate History
vs Traditional Banks
You save up to $75
on a EUR 1,000 transfer
Wise
BEST RATEBank of America
+5% markup + $35 wire fee
Wells Fargo
+4.5% markup + $25 wire fee
The EUR to THB corridor moves over €1.2 billion annually, but most senders lose 3-5% to hidden exchange rate markups at traditional banks. Digital providers like Wise, Remitly, and Revolut typically deliver 4-8x lower total costs, with PromptPay-enabled transfers settling in under a minute.
Our verdict: Use Wise or Revolut with PromptPay routing for sub-minute delivery at 0.4-0.7% all-in cost — never use a traditional German bank for this corridor.
The EUR to THB Corridor: Volume and Profile
The Germany-to-Thailand remittance corridor moves an estimated €1.2-1.5 billion annually, driven by three primary sender groups: German retirees relocating to Thailand (roughly 25,000 long-term residents drawing pensions from Deutsche Rentenversicherung), expatriate workers supporting family members, and property investors funding Thai real estate purchases. The EUR/THB pair typically trades in a 36.50-39.50 band, with daily volatility of 0.3-0.8%. A €5,000 transfer can swing by €40-100 depending on timing alone, making provider selection and execution timing material cost factors.
Hidden Costs: The 90% Problem
Approximately 90% of transfer costs on this corridor are buried in the exchange rate markup, not the visible flat fee. A bank advertising "€0 transfer fee" routinely applies a 3-5% spread against the mid-market rate — meaning a €10,000 transfer loses €300-500 invisibly. Always benchmark the quoted rate against the interbank EUR/THB rate (visible on Reuters, XE, or Google Finance) and calculate the effective cost as: (mid-market rate − provider rate) × amount + flat fee. On a €2,000 transfer, a 4% markup costs €80, while a transparent provider charging a flat €5 fee plus 0.4% markup costs €13 — a 6x difference.
Why Digital Providers Win by 3-8%
Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit consistently undercut traditional banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse) by 3-8% on the EUR/THB pair. Wise typically applies a 0.35-0.55% markup with transparent fees of €3-15 depending on amount and funding method. Revolut offers fee-free transfers up to €1,000/month on its standard plan but adds a 1% weekend surcharge. Remitly's "Economy" tier often beats Wise on amounts above €3,000 due to volume-tiered pricing. For a €5,000 transfer, expect total costs of €25-50 with a digital provider versus €200-400 through a traditional German bank — a 4-8x cost reduction.
Speed Tiers: Instant vs. Economy
Instant transfers (under 60 seconds) cost 1.5-3x more than economy options (1-2 business days) but settle directly into Thai bank accounts via SWIFT or local rails. Thailand's PromptPay system links Thai ID numbers (or mobile numbers) to bank accounts, enabling real-time credit from international transfers without requiring a full 10-digit account number — Wise and Revolut both support PromptPay-routed payouts, often crediting funds within minutes. Use instant for urgent obligations (rent, medical bills); use economy for recurring transfers where 24-48 hour delays are acceptable, saving 50-70% on fees.
Delivery Networks and Local Banking
The two largest receiving banks in Thailand are Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank (KBank), which together hold roughly 35% of domestic deposits. Most digital providers — Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit — deliver directly to accounts at these institutions, typically without intermediary correspondent fees. Bangkok Bank historically offered the strongest infrastructure for inbound foreign currency, while KBank's K PLUS app integrates seamlessly with PromptPay for sub-minute settlement. Standard banking regulations apply for sending from Germany to Thailand: transfers above €12,500 must be reported to the Bundesbank under the Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, but no withholding tax applies to remittances themselves.
Practical Optimization Tactics
Time transfers around ECB rate decisions and Bank of Thailand monetary policy meetings — EUR/THB volatility spikes 1-2% within 48 hours of these announcements, creating both risk and opportunity. Set rate alerts on Wise or XE at thresholds 0.5-1% above the current rate; historical data shows EUR/THB hits these thresholds roughly 8-12 times per year.
- For amounts under €1,000: Revolut's free tier is hard to beat; total cost typically below 0.4%
- For €1,000-€5,000: Wise offers the most consistent pricing at 0.5-0.7% all-in
- For amounts above €5,000: compare Wise and Remitly Economy side-by-side; the winner shifts based on amount and day
- Avoid weekends — most providers add 0.5-1% surcharges Friday evening through Sunday
- For recurring transfers (pensions, salary), set up batched monthly transfers above €3,000 to capture volume tier discounts of 0.1-0.2%
Funding via SEPA bank debit costs 0.3-0.5% less than card-funded transfers; the 1-2 day SEPA settlement is rarely a binding constraint for planned transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best EUR to THB exchange rate?
The best rates come from digital providers like Wise (0.35-0.55% markup) and Revolut (interbank rate on weekdays for standard plans). These typically beat German banks by 3-8% on the effective rate.
How long does it take to send money from Germany to Thailand?
Instant transfers via PromptPay-enabled providers settle in under 60 seconds, while economy SEPA-funded transfers take 1-2 business days. Bank wires through Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank typically take 2-5 business days.
What are the fees for sending money from Germany to Thailand?
Digital providers charge €3-15 in flat fees plus a 0.35-0.7% exchange rate markup, totaling roughly 0.4-1% of the transfer amount. Traditional banks charge €15-50 in flat fees plus a 3-5% hidden markup, often 4-8x more expensive.
Is it safe to use online money transfer services?
Yes — Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit are all licensed under EU PSD2 regulations and BaFin oversight, with client funds segregated from operational accounts. Transfers above €12,500 must be reported to the Bundesbank but face no withholding tax.