A cross-border multi-currency account and debit card that holds and converts 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate and gives you local receiving details in several countries. Wise is not a bank — balances are safeguarded rather than deposit-insured.
!Not a bank. Wise is a regulated electronic money / payment institution (e.g. FCA e-money institution in the UK, MAS Major Payment Institution in Singapore). Customer funds are safeguarded in segregated accounts at partner banks — they are not deposits and are not covered by deposit insurance schemes such as the UK FSCS or Singapore's SDIC.
Yes. Residents of most countries can open an account online with a passport and proof of address, regardless of where they live (a few sanctioned or unsupported countries are excluded). It works well as a traveller's or expat's multi-currency account with a debit card and local receiving details.
Free to open with no minimum balance; top up as much as you need｜Free to open with no monthly fee. Conversion costs roughly 0.4%–1% depending on the currency pair; the physical card has a one-time fee; ATM withdrawals are free up to a monthly allowance and charged beyond it.
No balance ceiling; per-transaction and annual limits for transfers, ATM withdrawals and card spending depend on the currency and the account's jurisdiction — see the app. Balances are e-money held under safeguarding, not deposit-insured.
Yes. Residents of most countries can open an account online with a passport and proof of address, regardless of where they live (a few sanctioned or unsupported countries are excluded). It works well as a traveller's or expat's multi-currency account with a debit card and local receiving details.
Local bank account: Not required. Items typically needed: A valid passport or local ID; Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement or tenancy agreement); A smartphone for the selfie / face check; A card or bank transfer for your first top-up; A tax ID (required in some countries).
Typically: A valid passport or local ID; Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement or tenancy agreement); A smartphone for the selfie / face check; A card or bank transfer for your first top-up; A tax ID (required in some countries).
How to sign up: Fully online — register on the website or app with a passport, proof of address and a selfie check (Registration about 10 minutes; identity verification usually 1–3 working days, often instant). Steps: 1) Register an email account on the Wise website or app 2) Choose a personal account and enter your nationality and country of residence 3) Upload your passport (or local ID) and a selfie 4) Upload proof of address (skipped in some countries) 5) Add any amount to activate the account 6) Order the Wise debit card and get local account details for the currencies you need Fees: Free to open with no monthly fee. Conversion costs roughly 0.4%–1% depending on the currency pair; the physical card has a one-time fee; ATM withdrawals are free up to a monthly allowance and charged beyond it.
No balance ceiling; per-transaction and annual limits for transfers, ATM withdrawals and card spending depend on the currency and the account's jurisdiction — see the app. Balances are e-money held under safeguarding, not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.