How EUR sending actually works
Sending EUR from a EUR base account involves two costs that most consumer banks roll into a single 'we'll convert it for you' headline rate: the FX spread (the gap between the mid-market rate and the rate you actually receive) and the transfer fee (often a percentage). Wise quotes the mid-market rate explicitly and itemises the transfer fee — that's the comparison baseline. Revolut and Bunq offer a free monthly FX allowance on their free tiers (capped, then a 0.5–1% spread kicks in). Same-currency sends within SEPA settle in seconds; cross-currency sends typically take same-day to 1 business day depending on the destination bank's cut-off times.
Watchouts and hidden costs
Watch the weekend FX markup on Revolut Standard — currency conversions outside business hours carry an additional 1% spread. For corridors where Euro settles outside SEPA, hidden correspondent-bank fees can apply at the receiving end — Wise typically shows these upfront in the transfer flow; many EU retail banks don't. Always check the disclosed mid-market rate before approving the transfer.