What Is an IBAN?
Fonmoney explains the international account number used for transfers abroad — structure, checking and everyday use.
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IBAN for international money transfers
For an international transfer, almost every bank asks for the recipient's IBAN. It is the basis for matching a payment to the right account — without it, a cross-border payment usually can't go through. Fonmoney relies on the same structure whenever customers send money abroad by bank transfer.
For more on the payment methods available for international transfers, see the Fonmoney page Send money abroad →
To see why the IBAN matters so much for international transfers specifically, read the blog post IBANs and international transfers →
IBAN structure
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardized account number used in more than 70 countries worldwide. Fonmoney customers come across it regularly when sending money abroad — knowing the IBAN structure makes it easier to send payments quickly and without follow-up questions.
| Country code | Two letters, e.g. "GB" for the United Kingdom |
| Check digits | Two digits — catch typing errors before a transfer is sent |
| Bank code and sort code | Ten characters, identify the recipient's bank and branch |
| Account number | Eight digits, identifies the specific account |
| Total length | 22 characters in the UK, up to 34 characters internationally |
IBAN in the SEPA area and international use
Within Europe's SEPA transfer area, the IBAN has been mandatory since 2014 and has fully replaced national account numbers. Outside Europe, it is now increasingly used for international payments too.
- ✓ Mandatory in SEPA since 2014. Within the EU, transfers now run in a largely automated way.
- ✓ IBAN plus BIC worldwide. Outside the SEPA area, the BIC additionally identifies the bank itself.
- ✓ Useful beyond SEPA too. For instance on transfers to Latin America or Asia, where local banks use different account formats.
- ✓ Fewer follow-up questions. Fonmoney customers benefit from exactly this standardization on bank transfers.
Checking, tools and common IBAN mistakes
An IBAN checker catches transposed digits, missing characters or a wrong country code before a transfer goes out.
Most banks reject an obviously invalid IBAN as soon as you try to send it.
Usually not — only if you switch banks or two banks merge. Your bank will let you know in advance.
It's worth a second look, especially with a manually typed IBAN or a first-time transfer.
A step-by-step guide is available in the blog post Where do I find my IBAN? →
Frequently asked questions about the IBAN
▸ Where do I find my IBAN?
Your IBAN appears on every bank statement and on your debit card. It's also usually shown directly on the account overview in online banking or your bank's app.
▸ Can my IBAN change?
Usually your IBAN stays the same for as long as you hold the account. It only changes if you switch banks, if two banks merge, or if your bank restructures its branch network. Banks notify customers ahead of time in these cases.
▸ Is it safe to share my IBAN?
Yes. The IBAN alone can't be used to take money out of an account — it only identifies the recipient's account for a transfer. A direct debit would additionally require a separate mandate.
▸ What do the different parts of an IBAN mean?
The first two characters are the country code, followed by two check digits. After that come the bank identifier and the account number, though the exact length varies by country.
▸ What's the difference between an IBAN and a BIC?
The IBAN identifies the specific account, while the BIC identifies the bank itself. Within the SEPA area, the IBAN alone is enough for most transfers; for international payments outside Europe, the BIC is often required as well.
▸ What happens if I enter the wrong IBAN?
Most banks validate the check digits automatically and reject an obviously invalid IBAN right away. If the country code and check digits happen to match but the name and account don't, the transfer can fail or be delayed.
What our customers say
"I regularly send money to my sister in Spain through Fonmoney. Since I learned how an IBAN is structured, I check it myself before every transfer — it gives me peace of mind."
Emily R.
London · ★★★★★
"At first I wasn't sure why an IBAN was so long. With Fonmoney I can see exactly where to enter it, and the confirmation comes through straight away."
Daniel H.
Manchester · ★★★★☆
"My father's bank merged with another one and his IBAN changed. Luckily he found out in time, before his next transfer through Fonmoney went out."
Chloe T.
Dublin · ★★★★★
Payment methods & related pages
Everything about transfers and paying with Fonmoney
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