Money Transfer (Geldüberweisung)
Western Union Review (2026)
Best for: Sending cash to recipients without bank accounts in remote locations worldwide
Setup fee
€0.00
Monthly fee
Free
Setup time
Walk into any WU agent or sign up online; transfers available immediately
Languages
EN, DE, FR, ES, AR, ZH, HI
Mobile app
Yes (4.5/5)
Key Features
- 500,000+ agent locations in 200+ countries
- Cash pickup in minutes — largest global network
- Send from app, website, or in-person agent
- Available in remote locations where banks don't reach
- Multiple delivery options: cash, bank, mobile wallet
- 170+ years of trust and reliability
- WU+ loyalty program for regular senders
Limitations
- Most expensive option — high fees and poor exchange rates
- Exchange rate markup typically 3-5% above mid-market
- Transfer fees can be €5-15+ depending on amount and destination
- Online rates better than agent rates
- Total cost (fee + rate) significantly higher than Wise
- No multi-currency account
Pricing Plans
Standard Transfer
Free
- No monthly fees — pay per transfer
- Transfer fee: €1.90-15+ (varies by amount/destination)
- Cash pickup worldwide
- Bank transfer option
- WU+ loyalty rewards
Eligibility
Who can use Western Union?
| Requirement | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| nationality: non eu | Accepted | Available to all with valid ID |
| nationality: eu citizen | Accepted | — |
| visa type: student visa | Accepted | — |
| visa type: job seeker visa | Accepted | — |
| language: no german required | Accepted | Full English |
| credit check: schufa not required | Accepted | No SCHUFA needed |
About Western Union
Western Union is the world's largest money transfer network with 500,000+ agent locations in 200+ countries. Their strength is cash pickup — your recipient can collect cash at a local agent within minutes. Expensive, but reaches everywhere.
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Alternatives to Western Union
PayPal
Setup: €0 | Monthly: €0.00
Small, occasional transfers where both parties already have PayPal — unmatched convenience
Remitly
Setup: €0 | Monthly: €0.00
Sending money to family in India, Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan, or Latin America — fast delivery
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Setup: €0 | Monthly: €0.00
Anyone sending money internationally who wants the best exchange rate and full transparency
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