How to Receive Money from Abroad with Western Union

You can receive money from abroad or Italy without having a bank account. Your loved ones can send you money from many countries around the world, which you can pick up at one of your nearest Western Union agent locations of the thousands across Italy.

To receive money from abroad at one of our agent locations, you must have the following details to hand:

• The sender’s full name (first, middle and last name)
• The country from which the money was sent
• The approximate amount that was sent
• The MTCN (money transfer control number)
• A valid identification document, as required.

Here are the identification documents accepted in Italy:

• Italian ID card
• Italian passport
• Driver’s license
• Boat license
• Firearms license
• Pension book
• Provisional license to operate heating systems
• Identification card issued by a professional association
• Other government-issued identification cards and documents, provided that they have a photograph and a stamp or another equivalent mark

The time it takes to receive a money transfer in Italy from abroad will also depend on the country from which it is being sent and the payment method used.

In many cases, the money is available in minutes¹; if, however, the money is sent to your bank account, it could take several business days¹. In any case, your loved ones will be able to get an estimate of how long it will take based on the payment method used, by consulting the Western Union website in their country of residence.

The amount of money you can receive in Italy from abroad will depend on the country from which it is being sent and the payment method used.

For example, if your loved ones are transferring money from France, the limit for the amount of money that can be sent to your bank account in Italy is €50,000. If instead they are transferring money from Spain, the limit that can be sent to your bank account is €3000.

The best way to find out how much you can receive is for your loved ones to consult the Western Union website in their country of residence, where they can check the limits for sending money to Italy from their country.

The best way to receive money from abroad is to use a reliable money transfer service that is convenient for both you and your loved ones.

When you use Western Union’s international money transfer services, we offer a range of convenient options for you and your sender. In Italy, you can choose between bank transfer or cash pickup at an agent location; while in other countries, you can receive money to your mobile wallet³, debit card or Western Union Digital Banking account.

Even better, you and your loved ones can track your money transfer with the MTCN, so you know where the money is at each stage of the transfer process.

With Western Union, you’ll receive money from abroad securely. We use the most advanced encryption and fraud prevention systems to ensure reliable online money transfers.

This enhanced layer of safety, which is aligned with the latest EU regulations and changes to safety systems, helps credit card-issuing banks² better identify and verify customers, allowing for convenient, smooth and reliable online transactions.

As well as searching for the best method, the easiest way is the one that is most convenient for you and the person sending you money.

Although it may seem easier to choose a method where the money will arrive in minutes¹, if it is hard for you to get to one of our agent locations quickly, it may be easier to receive the money to your bank account, even if this method will take several business days¹.

We encourage your loved ones to check the time estimates on the Western Union website for their country of residence, and then you can decide with them which method is easiest for you both.