Überweist

Überweist is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb überweisen, meaning to transfer money from one bank account to another. The corresponding noun is die Überweisung, the act of transferring funds. In banking, the term appears in everyday phrases such as "Er überweist Geld auf dein Konto." It is widely used in German-speaking countries, both in online banking and in person.

In practice, a transfer is initiated by providing the recipient’s IBAN and, for international payments, a BIC/SWIFT code. Within Europe, transfers typically follow the SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) standard; international payments may use SWIFT messaging. Many banks also support Instant Payments (SCT Inst) that aim to settle within seconds, subject to recipient-bank capabilities. Recurring transfers can be arranged via a Dauerauftrag (standing order).

Timeframes and costs vary with type and service. Domestic SEPA transfers are usually completed within one to two business days, while Instant Payments are intended to arrive nearly immediately. Fees depend on the bank, the account type, and whether the transfer is domestic or international; some banks offer free or waived SEPA transfers as part of certain accounts or plans.

Etymology and related concepts: überweisen combines über- (“over” or “across”) with weisen (“to direct” or “to forward”), reflecting the idea of directing funds from one account to another. Related terms include Lastschrift (direct debit) and Dauerauftrag (standing order), which describe alternative ways to move money or schedule payments.