How international property payments work (simple guide)

What this guide covers

This guide explains how to send money for a property in another country in a safe and simple way. You will see which payment route to choose, which documents banks ask for, how to avoid delays, and how to control fees and timing. The language is plain and easy to translate for your team.

Prepared by VelesClub Int. in collaboration with partner UNIBROKER.

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What makes a payment “safe”

A safe payment connects four parts that must match: the contract, the payment route, the documents, and the timeline. The contract shows purpose and amount. The route (for example, escrow or SWIFT) protects funds until a clear condition is met. The documents (KYC and source of funds) help your bank approve the transfer. The timeline sets when money moves and when the seller receives it. When these parts match, the deal is smooth and predictable.

Payment options compared

Use the table to choose a route. Pick the option that fits the size of your payment, the type of seller (developer or private), and the rules in the destination country.

Short notes on each route

Escrow. Best protection for staged payments and off-plan. Money moves only when a clear condition is met (for example, registration or milestone).

Client account. Good balance of speed and control for private sales when a licensed professional holds funds and follows a mandate.

SWIFT to seller. Common for completed properties. Accuracy in documents and reference is critical to avoid holds.

Developer portal. Useful for deposits and small amounts. For large tickets, bank transfer or escrow is more efficient and cheaper.

Intra-bank. Fast if both sides use the same banking group. Still follow the same document rules.

Documents you will likely need

Deal documents: sale and purchase agreement (or reservation), invoice or schedule, beneficiary details (legal name, IBAN/SWIFT, bank address).

Your documents: passport, proof of address, and source of funds (for example, salary, savings, or asset sale). Add a short purpose line that matches the contract.

Local items: tax number if required, power of attorney for remote deals, and escrow letter if using escrow. Make sure names match your passport exactly.

Step-by-step plan you can reuse

Step 1 — Choose the route. Decide between escrow, client account, or SWIFT. Confirm the simple release rule for funds (for example, “release on registration proof”).

Step 2 — Match names and numbers. Contract, invoice, and bank form must match: names, amounts, currency, and references. Copy them; do not retype from memory.

Step 3 — Prepare KYC and source of funds. Create clean PDFs. Name them clearly: “Passport.pdf”, “Proof-of-address.pdf”, “SoF-salary-Jan-Jun-2025.pdf”.

Step 4 — Confirm routing and cut-off times. Ask your bank about correspondent banks and daily cut-off times. For escrow, get an account letter with the escrow holder’s legal name and the release rule.

Step 5 — Send with a clear reference. Use a short reference both sides agree on, for example: “SPA 24-178 / Buyer John Smith”. Share MT103 or payment confirmation with the seller or escrow holder.

Step 6 — Release and register. The escrow holder or notary releases money after the condition is met. The registrar updates the title. Keep final documents in one folder.

Fees, timing, and currency basics

Fees. Plan for bank fees, possible correspondent fees, FX spread, escrow or notary fees, and registration costs. Check the contract to see who pays what.

Timing. International payments often take 1–4 business days. Weekends and holidays add time. For staged payments, add a 2–3 day buffer.

Currencies. If the price is in local currency but your funds are in USD or EUR, compare two paths: convert before sending or convert at destination. Ask for written spreads and pick the lower total cost.

Common mistakes and simple fixes

Mismatched data. Fix: copy names and numbers from the contract into every form. Even a missing middle name can delay the transfer.

Late documents. Fix: send KYC and source of funds with the payment request, not after a hold appears.

Wrong beneficiary. Fix: verify the legal account owner (escrow, client account, or seller). Ask for a letter on official letterhead if unsure.

FX surprises. Fix: ask for all fees and spreads in writing before you send any funds.

Quick checklist before you press “Send”

1) Route written and agreed. 2) Contract, invoice, bank form match. 3) KYC and source of funds ready. 4) Cut-off times known. 5) Reference agreed. 6) Confirmation shared. 7) Release rule and title steps clear.

Expert comment

“Most payment holds start from small data errors. Keep names, amounts, and references identical, and banks process faster.”
— Kenji, Payments Manager

FAQ

How long do international property payments take? Most clear in 1–4 business days. Cut-off times, weekends, and holidays can add 1–2 days.

Which documents do banks ask for? Passport, proof of address, source of funds, and the contract or invoice that shows purpose and amount.

Is escrow required for every deal? No. Client accounts or direct SWIFT are also used. Choose the option with a clear release rule that fits local law.

How do I reduce fees and FX costs? Ask for fees and FX spreads in writing. Compare converting before transfer with converting at destination.

Next steps

Pick a route, prepare a clean document pack, agree on a short payment reference, and plan timing around bank cut-offs. If anything is unclear, run a small test amount first, then proceed with the full transfer.

Looking for a safe money transfer? Click here to connect with VelesClub Int. and partner UNIBROKER

VelesClub Int., together with partner UNIBROKER, coordinates compliant payments and documentation end-to-end to protect your funds and your title.