Send money to Senegal from Spain
Senegal uses the CFA franc (XOF), a currency with a fixed exchange rate against the euro (1 EUR = 655.957 XOF, no variation). That makes this corridor unusual: since the rate never moves, the only real difference between operators is the fee.
The Senegalese community is Spain's largest from sub-Saharan Africa, notably present in Catalonia, eastern Andalusia and the Levante coast. Remittances account for roughly 10% of Senegal's GDP, and the collection ecosystem is highly developed: traditional cash is rapidly giving way to mobile money.
Options for sending money to Senegal
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 Senegal. 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 Senegal.
International bank transfer
An international transfer from your bank is usually the most expensive and slowest option to Senegal (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 Senegal
Besides cash collection at banks (CBAO, Ecobank) and local networks such as Wari, mobile money is hugely popular in Senegal: Orange Money and Wave allow receiving the remittance directly on the phone and spending it without visiting an office.
Tip: Since the EUR→XOF rate is fixed, compare only the total fee: it is the cleanest comparison of any corridor. If the recipient uses Orange Money or Wave, sending to mobile is usually the fastest and cheapest option.
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 Senegal
How long does money take to arrive in Senegal?
Cash or mobile wallet (Orange Money, Wave): minutes. Bank account deposits can take 1-2 business days.
Does the CFA franc exchange rate vary?
No: the CFA franc (XOF) is pegged to the euro (1 EUR = 655.957 XOF). That is why, when comparing operators to Senegal, only the fee matters.
What does the recipient need to collect money in Senegal?
For cash, their national ID (CNI) and the transaction code. For mobile money, just the phone number linked to their Orange Money or Wave account.