Send money to Colombia from Spain
Colombia is one of the main destinations for remittances sent from Spain. The recipient receives Colombian pesos (COP) and can collect cash at thousands of locations or get the money in a bank account or mobile wallet.
The Colombian community is one of the largest in Spain, with a strong presence in Madrid, Catalonia, the Valencia region and the Canary Islands. Remittances to Colombia move billions of dollars a year and Spain is the second-largest sender after the United States, so almost every operator competes on this corridor: use that to compare.
Options for sending money to Colombia
In cash, from an agent location
The most used method: you bring cash to an agent (Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram), provide the recipient's details, and within minutes it is available for collection in Colombia. Spain has thousands of agents, many in call shops and neighbourhood stores:
With an app or online service
Services such as Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit or the Western Union and Ria apps let you send from your phone by card or bank transfer. They tend to offer good exchange rates and first-transfer promotions, and the recipient can receive to an account or collect cash in Colombia.
International bank transfer
An international transfer from your bank is usually the most expensive and slowest option to Colombia (issuing fees, correspondent fees and exchange margin). For this corridor an agent or a specialised app is almost always better value.
How the recipient gets the money in Colombia
In Colombia the money can be collected in cash through the Efecty network, at bank branches such as Bancolombia or Davivienda and at partner retail chains. Direct deposit to a bank account or to mobile wallets like Nequi or Daviplata is also common and usually takes between a few minutes and one business day.
Tip: The EUR→COP exchange rate changes daily and varies between operators: always compare how many pesos the recipient will get, not just the fee. For cash transfers, the recipient needs their cédula (ID) and the transaction number.
What you need to send
To send money you need a valid ID (passport, DNI or NIE) and the recipient's details. To collect money you will also be asked for the transaction number (MTCN / PIN). The amount is paid out in cash at the agent location.
How much it costs to send money
The real cost has two parts: the transfer fee and the margin on the exchange rate. Combined, the total cost typically sits between 2% and 6% of the amount, although it varies by operator, amount and payment method. Always compare how much the recipient will get in their currency, not just the advertised fee.
Frequently asked questions about sending money to Colombia
How long does money take to arrive in Colombia?
Cash transfers via agents (Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram) are available for collection within minutes. Bank account or Nequi/Daviplata deposits usually take from a few minutes to 1 business day.
In which currency does the recipient get the money in Colombia?
In Colombian pesos (COP). The euro amount is converted at the operator's exchange rate at the time of sending; that exchange rate is part of the real cost of the transfer.
What does the recipient need to collect cash in Colombia?
A valid ID (cédula) and the transaction number provided when you send (MTCN for Western Union, PIN for Ria). The name on the transfer should exactly match the ID.