IBAN Checker
IBANs follow a standard format, so we can check if yours is valid and explain what each section means.
Check an IBAN
This IBAN is valid!
Be sure to confirm it with your recipient or bank, as we can’t verify its authenticity or confirm whether it's the correct IBAN for a specific account.
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Key Currency: Specialists in International Money Transfers
At Key Currency, we support thousands of people with their money transfers abroad.
We are FCA-regulated and authorised, which means your money is secure and safe at all times throughout the transfer process in a safeguarded account.
We have over 2,000+ reviews on Trustpilot with an excellent rating, our goal is to support and help people with international transfers, where other services don’t.
This is why our expert traders are shown on our website and are just a call way, at all times.
They can answer any questions you may have and monitor exchange rates for you.
Why? So we can provide you with the most value possible for your money when transferring it overseas.
If you want to get the latest rates, please request a quote with us today!
Example of a UK IBAN
How are IBANs created?
An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is generated using your domestic banking details, such as your sort code and account number in the UK.
It also includes information about your bank and the country of the account, including:
- Bank Identifier Code
- Country Code
- Check Number
The check digits (the 3rd and 4th characters) are used to validate the IBAN through integrity checks.
IBAN lengths vary by country. For example, Spanish IBANs include a ‘National Code’ for additional validation, making them 24 characters long, compared to the UK’s 22-character IBANs.
When are IBANs needed?
International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs) are essential for sending or receiving money across borders.
The IBAN system is designed to make international transfers faster and more secure.
If you're sending money to a European bank account, your bank or transfer provider will require the recipient's IBAN to ensure the funds reach the correct destination.
Many countries outside Europe, especially in the Middle East and Africa, are now adopting the IBAN system, making it the standard method for international payments worldwide.
What happens if I provide the wrong IBAN?
If you enter the wrong IBAN but it happens to be valid (i.e., it belongs to someone else), your money could end up in the wrong account.
If the IBAN is invalid, a money transfer service like ours will usually flag it before processing.
However, some banks may still attempt the transfer, charging you for it, even though the money won’t go through.
To avoid delays and unnecessary costs, always double-check the IBAN.
Our validation tool runs the same checks used by banks to confirm IBAN accuracy and format.
Avoiding mistakes with IBANs
IBANs enable money transfer services to send funds internationally to the correct account. Providing the right IBAN is crucial to ensure your money reaches the intended recipient, not someone else. But mistakes happen. To avoid errors with IBANs, we recommend:
1. Stick to the correct format
Always use the IBAN in its digital format, without any spaces. Banks may reject the IBAN if it isn’t entered as one continuous string of characters.
2. Don’t keep typing
IBANs are long, and it’s easy to make a mistake when typing them manually. Always double-check the code and use our tool to validate it. Once confirmed, save the IBAN somewhere secure and copy-paste it for future transfers to avoid errors.
3. Communicate with your transfer service or bank
After providing the IBAN, it’s important to verify that it’s linked to the correct bank and your intended recipient’s account. The company handling your transfer should be able to confirm these details for you.
Always confirm the details with your recipient
This tool can check whether your IBAN is correctly formatted, but it can’t confirm if the account exists or if it belongs to the intended recipient. It’s useful for verifying known details like the country and bank.
Always double-check the IBAN with the recipient or your bank before sending or receiving money.
If you’ve sent money to the wrong IBAN, contact your bank immediately. They might be able to stop the payment. If not, you may need to reach out to the recipient to request a refund.
How to transfer money to an IBAN
Complete your transfer in 4 simple steps
1. Register
You can register online or over the phone. It’s quick, easy and there’s no obligation to trade.
2. Agree a rate
All you need to do is tell us the amount you're transferring. We'll then quote you an exchange rate.
3. Transfer money
You send your money to our segregated client account by bank transfer.
4. Funds sent
Your funds are transferred to an IBAN account of your choice as soon as your payment is received.
Great rates for your IBAN money transfer
Get a quick quote now. It's free, and takes less than a minute.
IBAN FAQs
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a unique code used to identify individual bank accounts across borders. It helps ensure international payments are processed smoothly and accurately.
An IBAN includes your country code, bank code, branch code, and account number. While not used in all countries, it’s essential in many parts of Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Using the correct IBAN avoids delays, rejected payments, or fees, making it a critical part of sending or receiving money abroad.
You can usually find your IBAN on your bank statement, online banking portal, or banking app. Some banks also print the IBAN on debit cards.
If you can't locate it, use our IBAN calculator tool by entering your domestic bank details (like sort code and account number in the UK).
Always double-check the result with your bank, as using the wrong IBAN can cause payment failures or delays.
An IBAN identifies your specific bank account for international payments.
A SWIFT or BIC code identifies the bank itself, acting like an international bank address.
Routing numbers, on the other hand, are used only in domestic US payments.
For a successful international transfer, you often need both an IBAN (to direct funds to the correct account) and a SWIFT/BIC code (to ensure it goes to the right bank).
If you don’t want to incur the high costs of using a bank, the best way to transfer money abroad is to use a money transfer specialist such as Key Currency.
It is usually cheaper and more secure than other methods such as credit or debit cards, money orders, international cheques or cash remittance.
By using a money transfer company, you can save up to 3%-4% on the exchange rate compared to some banks.