How to Send Money from Germany to Thailand in 2026: Best Providers, Fees and EUR to THB Rates

If you want to send money from Germany to Thailand in 2026, the difference between a careful and a careless transfer is larger than most senders expect. Wise converts euros to baht at the mid-market rate for a fee of roughly half a percent, Remitly and WorldRemit run dedicated Germany to Thailand services with bank deposit and cash pickup, Xoom and Western Union cover the route through card and cash networks, and German banks will still move your euros by SWIFT — at a price. On 23 October 2026 the mid-market rate was 37.8152 baht per euro, and on a €1,000 transfer the spread between the best and the worst option was worth more than €25, or roughly 950 baht that simply disappears.

The corridor is smaller than the big European diaspora routes but it is steady and predictable. Destatis counts roughly 60,000 Thai nationals living in Germany, concentrated in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, alongside a much larger group of German retirees, long-stay snowbirds and binational families with a foothold in both countries. Money flows the other way too: German parents supporting a daughter studying in Chiang Mai, German employers paying Thai contractors, and pensioners topping up a Thai bank account they use six months a year. Whether you are sending 300 euros a month to family in Isan or 20,000 euros for a condo in Hua Hin, this guide covers the live rate, what each provider actually delivers, how Thai banks treat incoming money, and the tax rules on both ends.

EUR to THB: The Number That Decides Everything

Thailand's currency is the baht (code THB, divided into 100 satang). On 23 October 2026 the mid-market rate stood at 1 EUR = 37.8152 THB according to the er-api daily reference, which means €1,000 is worth about 37,815 baht before any fees. That is the benchmark you should hold every provider against.

A provider can advertise "zero fees" and still take 2-3% from you by applying a weaker rate. On this corridor that is not a rounding error: three percent of €1,000 is €30, which is roughly a week of meals for a family in northern Thailand. The table below shows what a rate markup actually costs in baht at the 23 October reference rate.

The lesson is mechanical: compare the delivered amount in baht, never the headline fee. Our guide to the mid-market exchange rate explains why the rate shown on a provider's homepage is almost never the rate applied to your transfer.

How the Baht Behaves — and Why Timing Matters More Here

The baht is a managed float managed by the Bank of Thailand. It is not pegged, but the central bank smooths sharp moves, and the currency is sensitive to three things that have nothing to do with your transfer: tourism receipts, export volumes (electronics, autos, rubber, rice) and foreign portfolio flows into Thai bonds and equities. In practice EUR/THB has traded in a wide band over the past few years, and a move of 1.5-2% within a month is entirely normal.

That changes the advice compared with a stable corridor like the Serbian dinar. On this route, timing is worth real money. A 2% swing on €5,000 is 3,780 baht — more than any fee difference between providers. Two practical habits follow. First, if you are sending a large amount for a property purchase or a year of school fees, set a rate alert and send when the rate is at the top of its recent range rather than on the day you happen to remember. Second, if you send a fixed amount every month, do not try to out-guess the market: pick a cheap provider, automate it, and accept the average.

One structural detail catches people out: the baht is not freely available outside Thailand at a fair price. German banks and exchange bureaus quote THB at wide margins, and leftover baht from a holiday is awkward to convert back. Never buy baht in Germany to "save the conversion" — you will lose 3-5% doing it.

Best Providers for Germany to Thailand in 2026

Here is how the main options compare on a €1,000 transfer, using rates and fees we checked on 23 October 2026. Delivered amounts move daily, so treat the table as a snapshot of relative cost rather than a fixed quote.

Provider by Provider: What You Actually Get

Wise — the transparent benchmark

Wise is the reference point on this corridor because it publishes the mid-market rate and charges a separate, visible fee. On 23 October 2026 a €1,000 transfer cost roughly €6.20 and delivered about 37,570 baht — within 0.7% of the theoretical mid-market amount. Wise is regulated in the EU (authorised in Belgium and passported into Germany), supports funding by SEPA bank transfer or card, and pays into Thai bank accounts over local rails, which means the money usually arrives the same or next business day with no inbound deduction. Bank transfer funding is cheaper than card funding; SEPA transfers in Germany are typically free at the sending bank, so the total cost stays low. If you send monthly support, this is the option most people should default to, and it fits the framework in our provider comparison guide.

OFX — for larger, less frequent transfers

OFX charges no transfer fee above its minimum threshold and makes its money on a small margin over mid-market, which makes it competitive once you are moving several thousand euros. It is a good fit for a property deposit or a year of tuition, and it offers rate alerts and a named dealer for larger amounts. The trade-off is speed and flexibility: transfers take one to two business days, and the pricing is quote-based rather than published, so you have to ask for the delivered baht figure before you commit.

Remitly — two speeds, two prices

Remitly runs a dedicated Germany to Thailand service with Economy and Express options. Economy is the cheaper tier and takes three to five business days; Express costs more and lands in minutes to hours. In our check the Economy tier delivered around 37,350 baht on €1,000 and Express around 36,900, so you are effectively paying about 450 baht for speed. That is reasonable when a bill is due today and poor value when it is not. Remitly also offers cash pickup in Thailand, useful for recipients without a bank account. First-transfer promotions are common — see our Remitly Express vs Economy breakdown before you build a habit around a welcome rate.

WorldRemit — the flexible payout menu

WorldRemit supports bank deposit, cash pickup and mobile wallet payout in Thailand, which makes it the most versatile option for recipients in different situations. In our check a €1,000 transfer carried a fee of about €3.99 plus a rate margin and delivered roughly 37,050 baht. Its strength is reach outside Bangkok: cash pickup through partner networks works in provincial areas where a bank branch may be a long ride away. Its weakness is that the rate margin is less transparent than Wise's separate fee.

Xoom — PayPal's route into Thai banks

Xoom, owned by PayPal, sends to Thai bank accounts and offers cash pickup, with promotional zero-fee pricing for new customers. In our check it delivered around 37,300 baht on €1,000. It is convenient if you already hold a PayPal balance, and it is fast. The catch is that promotional pricing is temporary and the rate includes a margin, so the second and third transfers cost more than the first. Our Xoom review covers the pricing structure in detail.

Western Union and MoneyGram — the cash option

Both networks cover Thailand densely: cash can be collected at bank counters, agent locations and shopping-mall service points across the country, often within minutes. Western Union delivered around 36,800 baht and MoneyGram around 36,900 on €1,000 in our check, with fees that vary by payout method. These are the right tools when someone needs cash today and has no bank account, and the wrong tools for a monthly standing transfer — you are paying roughly 2.5% for the convenience. Our MoneyGram vs Western Union comparison breaks down where each one wins.

German banks — the expensive default

A SWIFT transfer from a German bank to a Thai bank typically combines a €15-35 sending fee, a correspondent-bank deduction of €10-25 and an FX margin of 2-3%, and the receiving Thai bank may charge its own inbound fee of 200-500 baht. On €1,000 that easily adds up to €35-45 in total cost — five to seven times what Wise charges. Banks remain the right choice for one scenario only: when you need a large sum moved with full documentary traceability, for example a property purchase where the Thai land office wants a foreign exchange transaction form (Tor Tor 3) showing the money entered Thailand in foreign currency.

Step by Step: Sending Your First Transfer

1. Confirm how your recipient wants the money. A Thai bank account, a cash pickup and a wallet top-up have different costs and different provider shortlists. Ask before you compare.

2. Check the live rate, not yesterday's. Pull the mid-market EUR/THB rate from a reference source, then compare what each provider delivers on the same amount. On a volatile corridor this single step is worth more than any promo code.

3. Verify the recipient details. For bank deposit you need the account holder's name exactly as registered, the 10-digit account number and the bank name. Thai account numbers are not IBANs — do not invent one. For cash pickup you need the recipient's full legal name as printed on their Thai ID card.

4. Complete identity verification once. German anti-money-laundering rules require providers to verify your identity before the first transfer: a passport or ID card, and for larger amounts proof of address and sometimes source of funds. Our KYC document guide lists exactly what is accepted.

5. Choose the funding method deliberately. SEPA bank transfer is usually the cheapest way to fund a transfer from Germany and costs nothing at most German banks. Card funding is faster but typically adds 0.5-1.5%.

6. Save the reference and track it. Keep the transfer ID until the money lands. If a transfer misses its promised date, EU payment rules give you a right to a fee refund. Our tracking guide explains what each status actually means.

Receiving Money in Thailand: What Your Family Needs

Two practical notes. First, PromptPay is a domestic rail: most international providers pay into a Thai bank account using the account number, not a PromptPay ID or phone number, so your recipient should send you the 10-digit account number rather than their mobile number. Once the money is in the account, they can move it anywhere instantly through PromptPay at no cost. Second, inbound fees differ by rail: a transfer arriving over local THB rails (Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit) normally lands in full, while a foreign-currency SWIFT wire is usually converted by the receiving bank at its own rate and charged 200-500 baht. Ask your recipient's bank once, so the first transfer is not a surprise.

Thai banks also have to report larger inward remittances to the Bank of Thailand, and amounts above the equivalent of USD 50,000 attract additional documentation. If you are sending a property deposit, ask the receiving bank in advance what they will require — usually the transfer advice, a copy of your passport and a signed statement of purpose.

Tax and Paperwork on Both Ends

Germany does not limit how much you can send abroad, but two rules matter. Gift tax (Schenkungssteuer) applies to money given away: the allowance is €20,000 per recipient over ten years for unrelated people and siblings, €500,000 for a spouse and €400,000 per child. Ordinary support payments to a partner or family member living in Thailand are unlikely to breach those limits, but a large one-off transfer to a non-relative — buying property in someone else's name, for instance — can. Second, providers must ask about source of funds on larger transfers under the Geldwäschegesetz; having the paperwork ready (sale contract, payslips, savings statements) avoids a frozen transfer.

On the Thai side, the rule that catches people out is the Revenue Department's clarification (order Por 161/2566, effective from 1 January 2024) that foreign-sourced income remitted into Thailand by a Thai tax resident is assessable, regardless of the year it was earned. In plain terms: if your recipient is a Thai tax resident, money you send as a gift or as support is generally not taxable income for them, but money that represents their income — salary, freelance fees, rental income — can be taxed when it is brought into the country. This is a live and evolving area; for anything beyond family support, take advice from a Thai accountant rather than relying on forum posts.

Costs, Speed and the Weekend Trap

Two habits reliably cost senders money on this corridor. The first is paying by card when SEPA would do: card funding adds 0.5-1.5% at most providers, which on €1,000 is €5-15 for the sake of one day. The second is sending on a Friday afternoon. Bank deposits settle on business days, and Thailand sits six hours ahead of Germany (five in the European winter), so a transfer initiated after the Friday cut-off may not land until Tuesday — and Thai public holidays rarely overlap with German ones. Cash pickup and card-funded instant transfers are far less affected. Our explainer on weekend and holiday delays lists the dates that matter.

Before committing to any provider, run the checks in our legitimacy checklist: is it authorised in the EU, is the rate published, and is the total cost shown before you confirm? For transfers above roughly €10,000, also read our guide to sending large amounts abroad — the cheapest route for €500 a month is rarely the cheapest route for €50,000 at once.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to send money from Germany to Thailand?
On 23 October 2026 Wise was the cheapest mainstream option, delivering about 37,570 baht on €1,000 for roughly €6.20 in total cost, followed by OFX at about 37,450 baht for larger amounts. Promotional first transfers at Xoom and Remitly can beat that once, but the everyday rate is what matters over a year of sending.

What is the EUR to THB exchange rate today?
On 23 October 2026 the mid-market rate was 37.8152 baht per euro (er-api reference), meaning €1,000 is worth about 37,815 baht before fees. The baht is a managed float, so the rate can move 1-2% within a month — worth watching if you are sending a large sum.

How long does a transfer from Germany to Thailand take?
Wise and Xoom typically deliver the same or next business day. Remitly Express and cash pickup can complete within minutes to hours, while Remitly Economy takes three to five business days. German bank SWIFT transfers usually take two to four business days.

How much does it cost to send €1,000 from Germany to Thailand?
Between about €6 and €45 depending on the provider. Wise charged roughly €6.20 in total, WorldRemit about €3.99 plus a rate margin, Remitly and Xoom ran promotional low-fee pricing, and a German bank SWIFT transfer typically combines a €15-35 fee with a 2-3% FX margin and a 200-500 baht inbound charge.

Can I send money to a Thai bank account with just the account number?
Yes. Thai bank accounts use a 10-digit account number, not an IBAN. You need the recipient's name exactly as registered, the account number and the bank name (Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, SCB, Krungthai, TTB and so on). A PromptPay ID or phone number is usually not accepted for international transfers.

Is Wise available in Germany for transfers to Thailand?
Yes. Wise is authorised in the EU and serves German customers, converts at the mid-market rate and pays into Thai bank accounts over local rails. Funding by SEPA transfer is cheapest; card funding adds roughly 0.5-1.5%.

Can my family collect cash in Thailand instead of using a bank?
Yes. Western Union, MoneyGram, WorldRemit, Xoom and Remitly all offer cash pickup at partner locations across Thailand. The recipient needs their Thai ID card or passport and the transfer reference number. Cash is usually the most expensive payout method.

Do I have to pay tax in Germany on money I send to Thailand?
Sending your own money is not a taxable event. Gift tax may apply above the allowances: €20,000 per recipient over ten years for unrelated people and siblings, €500,000 for a spouse and €400,000 per child. Large transfers to non-relatives are the case to watch, and a Steuerberater can confirm your position.

Is money sent from Germany taxable in Thailand?
Under the Revenue Department's order Por 161/2566, foreign-sourced income remitted by a Thai tax resident is assessable from 1 January 2024, regardless of the year earned. Genuine gifts and family support are generally not treated as income, but salary, freelance fees or rental income brought into Thailand can be taxed — get local advice for anything beyond family support.

Why did my transfer arrive short?
The usual causes are a correspondent-bank deduction on a SWIFT wire, a receiving bank's inbound fee (typically 200-500 baht), or a currency conversion applied by the Thai bank at its own rate. Transfers sent over local THB rails, such as Wise or Remitly, normally arrive in full because no intermediary bank is involved.

Can I send money to Thailand for a property purchase?
Yes, but the paperwork matters. Thai land offices require evidence that the funds entered Thailand as foreign currency, which means a foreign exchange transaction form (Tor Tor 3) obtained from the receiving bank. For that reason a bank wire in EUR or USD to a foreign currency account is often the right choice for property, even though it costs more than Wise. See our guide to sending money abroad for a property purchase.

The Bottom Line

Germany to Thailand is a corridor where provider choice and timing both matter. For monthly support, Wise at the mid-market rate is the dependable default and typically costs under €7 per €1,000. For a one-off large transfer, get an OFX quote and compare it against Wise on the delivered baht figure, and set a rate alert rather than sending on impulse. For cash emergencies, Western Union and MoneyGram still win on reach. Skip the bank SWIFT route unless you need the foreign exchange paperwork for a property purchase, and never buy baht in Germany before you send. Do those things and you keep the 2-3% that careless senders hand over without noticing.

Tags: #sendmoney #germanytothailand #eurtothb #remittance #moneytransfer #wise #thaibaht

Related Guides

• Send Money from Germany to Indonesia: Fees and EUR to IDR Rates