How to use Wise in Italy as an expat

Living in Italy as an expat can be exciting, but managing money across countries is often complicated. From receiving income from abroad to paying bills in different currencies, high fees and unfavourable exchange rates can make everyday finances stressful.

Wise offers a way to navigate these challenges. With a single account, you can hold, convert, and spend in 40+ currencies, and use a debit card almost anywhere in the world, all while benefiting from the mid-market exchange rate. Whether you’re covering rent, sending money home, or managing other international payments, Wise helps you keep your finances organised and under control, so you can focus on enjoying life in Italy.

At a glance: Wise in Italy

💡 Using Wise in Italy
Wise money transfers	Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, with fees starting from 0.47%; Receive money in 20+ currencies.
Wise account	Multi-currency account that allows holding 40+ currencies; No opening or maintenance fees.
Wise card	Debit card with a one-time fee of 7 EUR; Up to 3 virtual cards at no additional cost.
Wise business account & card	Multi-currency account that allows holding and converting 40+ currencies, and sending money to 140+ countries; Issue debit cards to employees, with customizable spending limits and controls.
Wise large transfers	Send up to 20 million EUR per transfer; Discounts for transfers of 22 000 EUR or more.

About Wise

Wise is an international account that helps people in Italy manage their finances across borders with transparency and ease. You can hold and convert 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with low and transparent fees, receive money with account details in 20+ currencies, and use your debit or virtual card almost anywhere in the world.

For expats in Italy, Wise offers a secure and fast way to send money home, pay bills abroad, or manage multiple currencies from one account. With no monthly fees or hidden markups, it’s a smart and straightforward way to move and use money globally.

How to open a Wise account in Italy

The Wise multi-currency account is free to open and free to hold. It lets you manage money in 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, receive international payments in 20+ currencies, and send money to 140+ countries. It’s a practical and cost-effective option for expats living in Italy who need to manage everyday expenses locally while sending money home or travelling abroad.

To open a Wise multi-currency account, follow these steps:

1. Sign up online or via the app: Click “Sign up” or “Register”, enter your email address, choose whether you want a personal or business account, and select the country where you live most of the year.
2. Verify your phone number: Add your mobile number and confirm it with the code sent to your device.
3. Create a password: Set a secure password to access your account.
4. Enter your personal details: Once your basic information is added and your account is verified, you can start sending, receiving, and spending money, and you can order your Wise debit card if you wish.
5. Add currencies to your account: Add EUR for your day-to-day spending in Italy, as well as any of the 40+ other currencies you need.
6. Add money to your account: Top up your Wise account via bank transfer, card, or other supported payment methods.
7. Verify your account: To unlock all features, upload the required verification documents, typically a valid ID and proof of address.

How to transfer money with Wise

Wise makes international money transfers transparent and convenient, helping you avoid hidden markups and long processing times. You can send money from Wise to a bank account or to another Wise account in just a few steps, at the mid-market exchange rate and with clear, upfront fees. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your Wise account: Access your account on the website or app to start a new transfer.
2. Choose the currency and amount: Select the currency you want to send from, how much you want to send, and the currency the recipient will receive.
3. Choose how to pay: Select one of the available methods, such as your Wise account balance, card, or bank transfer.
4. Add the recipient’s details: You can send to another Wise account, enter bank details manually, or upload a screenshot or invoice containing the recipient’s name and bank or payment details.
5. Review the transfer details and confirm: Wise will show you the exchange rate, fees, and estimated arrival time before you confirm.

After sending your transfer, you can track its progress in real time through your Wise account, where you’ll see updates until the money is delivered.

How to send money to a Wise account

Adding money to your Wise account is simple:

• Send money using local account details: Anyone can transfer money to a Wise account by using its local bank details (e.g., IBAN, account number, sort code). Once the sender uses these details, the transfer works like a regular domestic bank transfer in that currency.
• Send money via a Wise account: The Wise account owner can add money directly by choosing a payment method such as a credit or debit card, iDeal, or bank transfer.

How to use Wise account in Italy

Living in Italy and handling money from different countries can be tricky. A Wise account simplifies it, letting you receive income from abroad, pay bills back home, and move money between currencies.

You can use your Wise account to:

• Hold and exchange money in 40+ currencies: Keep balances in the currencies you use most and convert them at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you prefer.
• Spend with the Wise debit card in Italy and abroad: Use it in shops, restaurants, public transport, and ATMs.
• Spend online with virtual cards: Create up to 3 digital cards for safer online purchases and subscription payments in Italy or elsewhere.
• Receive payments with local account details: Receive money conveniently in 8+ currencies, including EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, and CAD.
• Send money internationally from your balance: Balance-funded transfers are usually cheaper, making it easy to send money back home, pay bills abroad, or move savings between Italy and other countries.
• Store funds with high holding limits in most currencies: Useful when transferring savings to Italy or keeping money across multiple currencies; availability and any limits may vary by currency and local regulations.
• Manage your finances between Italy and your home country: Use Wise as a bridge to move money quickly and transparently between your Italian accounts and accounts in other countries.

How to use Wise to receive money

You can receive money into your Wise account by sharing your local account details for the currencies you hold. This works like a standard bank transfer. Fees may apply depending on the currency and transfer method. USD domestic wires carry a small fixed charge. You can receive EUR via your IBAN.

If someone needs to send you money through the SWIFT network, you can also receive it using your Wise SWIFT details. SWIFT transfers come with low, fixed fees that vary depending on the currency. This option is particularly useful when the sender’s bank or provider does not support local transfers or when money is coming from a country without local account details available in Wise.

You can also receive money instantly from other Wise users by sharing your Wise tag. This method is fast, secure and free, making it ideal for receiving payments from friends, family, or anyone who already uses Wise.

How to get a Wise card in Italy

A Wise card in Italy gives you a straightforward way to use the money in your Wise account for everyday payments and withdrawals, both locally and abroad. Because it’s linked directly to your multi-currency account, it lets you spend from your different balances. This means you can use various currencies without needing separate accounts or paying high conversion fees when travelling.

To order your Wise card in Italy:

1. Open the Wise app or log in to your Wise account via the website.
2. Go to the “Cards” section and select “Order card.”
3. Complete the verification steps, including uploading your ID and proof of address if required.
4. Enter your Italian delivery address and choose between standard or express shipping.
5. Pay the one‑time card fee of 7 EUR.
6. Confirm your order: Wise will send your card to your address.

With standard delivery, your card usually arrives within 14 days at no extra cost. If you need it sooner, express delivery starts at 10.40 EUR and usually takes up to 2 working days.

Once your card arrives, activate it by making a chip and PIN transaction, and you’re ready to start using it.

How to use Wise card in Italy

For expats in Italy, using a Wise card is a practical way to manage money across currencies and countries. It can be used to spend in person at shops, restaurants, and on transport, or for online purchases. The card supports contactless payments and can be added to mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay for quick tap-and-go use. It can also be used to withdraw cashfrom ATMs in Italy or abroad.

If you prefer not to use the physical card, or for situations where security is a concern, you can create up to 3 digital cards in the Wise app. These virtual cards have unique card details and can be used for online payments or anywhere contactless payments are accepted. You can manage your spending from the app, checking balances, converting between 40+ currencies, setting limits, or freezing your cards.

Using Wise digital cards

In Italy, you can use Wise digital cards for secure online purchases or in mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Once you’ve ordered your physical card, you can create a virtual card instantly in the app. Each virtual card has a different number from your physical card, adding an extra layer of security. You can have up to 3 virtual cards at a time, and you can freeze, delete, or create new cards whenever you like to manage your spending or separate different types of expenses. Virtual cards can be used for online payments and for in-person contactless payments worldwide, at the mid-market rate, and they are free of charge.

Using Wise Business Account in Italy

Wise offers both personal and business accounts. The Business account is ideal for a wide range of companies, from freelancers and startups to larger enterprises, especially those that need to send and receive payments in multiple currencies. With a Wise Business account, you can also issue multi-currency debit cards — both physical and digital — for yourself and your team members.

To open a Wise Business account in Italy, go to the Wise website or app, select “Business account”, and fill in your company details. You will need to submit documents and information for verification, such as the official registration number, the details of owners and business directors, and expected monthly transaction volumes. Registering for a Wise Business account has a one-time fee of 55 EUR and no ongoing maintenance fees. You can easily order your debit cards from your account: the first card is free, and additional cards have a one-time fee of 4 EUR each.

There are many ways you can use Wise Business in Italy:

• Hold and convert funds in 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, without needing a separate bank in every country;
• Send supplier invoices, create fast payment links, or receive transfers from overseas clients using local account details;
• Send money to 140+ countries;
• Issue debit cards to employees, with customisable spending limits and controls;
• Integrate directly with accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, etc.) to automate bookkeeping;
• Make batch payments, sending up to 1 000 payments in a single transaction.

Wise large amount transfers

Wise offers an easy way to handle large international payments, combining high transfer limits with fully transparent pricing. From relocating savings to Italy, to transferring income from abroad, and even paying the installments on a property back home, you can rely on the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups. Wise allows transfers of up to 20 million EUR per paymentand provides clear delivery times so you know exactly when the money will arrive.

For large payments, Wise also applies automatic volume discounts, reducing your fees once you send the equivalent of 22 000 EUR or more either in a single transfer or across multiple transfers within one month. Those moving high-value amounts benefit from access to Wise’s dedicated support team, who can assist with verification, compliance checks, and any questions throughout the process. With its combination of transparent fees, high limits, and personalised assistance, Wise provides a dependable solution for expats in Italy managing large cross-border transactions.

Is Wise safe to use?

Yes, Wise is safe to use. The platform has strict measures in place to keep your money secure, prevent fraud, and ensure support is available when you need it. Key security measures include:

• Manual and automatic anti-fraud systems operating 24/7;
• Two-step authentication;
• Biometric security and encryption in the app;
• Real-time transaction notifications;
• Ability to generate unique digital cards;
• Ability to freeze cards instantly.

As with any financial account, staying vigilant is important. Do not share your login details, and regularly check your account for any unusual activity.

Is Wise regulated in Italy?

Yes, Wise is regulated in Italy. Wise Europe is a payment institution licensed by the National Bank of Belgium and adheres to strict rules to protect customers’ funds. Your money is held in leading commercial banks and low-risk liquid assets, ensuring it remains secure and readily available for any transaction.

How to contact Wise customer service in Italy

Wise offers reliable customer support to help you resolve issues or answer questions about your account. English-speaking customer service is available 24/7 through the following methods:

• Live chat;
• Phone;
• Email.

To access support, simply log in to your account on the app or browser and go to the Help Centre. If you need assistance in languages other than English, some contact methods may not be available.

Wise’s Help Centre also provides comprehensive FAQs and step-by-step guides, making it easy to find solutions to common issues without needing to contact customer support.

Useful resources

Fees, limits and features referenced here come from Wise’s official pricing and product pages.

• Wise – Landing page for Wise Italy (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise registration page – Create your Wise account (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise account – Wise personal account (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise international money transfers – Wise international money transfers (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise money receiving – Wise money receiving page (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise debit card – Wise debit card (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise personal pricing – Wise pricing for personal accounts (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise business – Wise business account (last checked 29th January 2026)
• Wise business pricing – Wise pricing for business accounts (last checked 29th January 2026)