How to Send Money from Germany to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan
Compare bank transfers, online services and cash pickup for sending money from Germany to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, plus the German rules on reporting, cash and hawala.
Millions of people in Germany support family abroad, and Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are among the countries where that money matters most. The problem is that sending it can be confusing: banks, money transfer apps and cash pickup services all advertise low fees, yet the amount your family actually receives can vary a lot.
This guide explains how to send money from Germany to Pakistan, with notes for India and Afghanistan. Instead of listing prices that change daily, it shows you how to compare methods yourself, which rules apply in Germany, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost senders the most. Nothing here is financial advice; it is a practical overview based on official German and international sources.
The real cost of a transfer: fee plus exchange rate
Every international transfer has two costs:
- The fee you see up front, for example a few euros per transfer.
- The exchange-rate margin, the difference between the rate you get and the mid-market rate (the rate banks use with each other, which you can see on Google or Reuters).
Many providers advertise "zero fees" but give you a worse exchange rate. On a transfer of €500, a margin of 2% costs you €10, even if the fee is zero. So the only fair comparison is: how many rupees or afghanis will arrive for the same number of euros, today, after all costs?
The World Bank tracks this through its Remittance Prices Worldwide database, which measures the total cost of sending money in specific corridors. In its September 2025 report, Germany was the cheapest G20 country to send money from, with an average total cost of about 4.5% of the amount sent. That is an average across many corridors and providers; your own cost can be much lower or higher depending on how you send.
The main ways to send money from Germany
| Method | How it works | Typically good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer (SWIFT) from your German bank | Your bank sends money to a bank account abroad | Large amounts, paying fees or property | Fees from your bank, intermediary banks and the receiving bank; often a weaker exchange rate |
| Online money transfer service | Licensed app or website, paid by SEPA transfer or card | Regular monthly support | Compare the final received amount, not the headline fee |
| Cash pickup or mobile wallet payout | Provider pays out in cash at an agent or to a mobile wallet | Family without a bank account | Cash pickup can cost more; check agent availability |
| Sending through a friend or informal broker (hawala) | Money is "moved" through a network without a licence | Not recommended | Illegal to operate without a licence in Germany; no consumer protection |
Bank transfers
A SWIFT transfer from a German bank is reliable and traceable, which matters for large sums such as school fees or a property purchase. The downside is cost: you may pay a fee to your bank, intermediary banks may deduct charges along the way, and the conversion rate is set by your bank. Ask your bank for the exact rate and all fees before you send, and choose whether you pay all charges (OUR) or share them (SHA).
Online transfer services
Licensed online services are often the cheapest option for regular amounts. You pay in euros by bank transfer and your family receives the money in a bank account or mobile wallet. Before choosing one, check that the provider is authorised to operate in the EU. In Germany, payment services are supervised by BaFin, and EU-licensed providers can operate across the EU.
Cash pickup and mobile wallets
If your relatives do not have a bank account, cash pickup or mobile wallet payout can be the only practical choice. In Pakistan, mobile wallets are widely used, so ask your family which wallet they already use before choosing a provider.
Why you should never use hawala from Germany
Hawala and similar informal systems are still common in some communities. In Germany, BaFin classifies hawala as a money transfer service that requires a licence, and it considers the business model incapable of being licensed because customers are not properly identified. Running such a service without permission is a criminal offence, and the German Federal Court of Justice has confirmed this classification. As a sender you also have no protection if the money disappears, and accounts linked to unlicensed transfers can be frozen. Use a licensed provider, even if it costs a little more.
Rules in Germany you should know
Reporting large payments
German residents must report certain cross-border payments to the Deutsche Bundesbank under the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (AWV). Since January 2025, the reporting threshold is €50,000 per payment (it was €12,500 before). Typical monthly family support is far below this. If you ever send a large sum, for example to buy property, check the Bundesbank's guidance on reporting by private individuals. Your bank's printed notice about AWV reporting is an automatic reminder and does not mean a payment is necessarily reportable.
Carrying cash
If you travel from Germany to a non-EU country such as Pakistan with cash worth €10,000 or more, you must declare it in writing to German customs before departure. This also applies if nobody asks you. Breaking the rule can lead to fines of up to €1 million, according to German customs. Transfers through licensed providers are simpler and safer than carrying cash.
Keep records
Keep confirmations of transfers, especially larger ones. They help if your bank asks about the source of funds, and they can matter for maintenance claims. For example, in some cases support payments to relatives can be claimed in a German tax return as extraordinary burdens, subject to strict conditions. Ask a tax adviser whether this applies to you.
Country notes
Pakistan
Pakistan's State Bank runs the Pakistan Remittance Initiative to encourage transfers through formal banking channels. Overseas Pakistanis can also open a Roshan Digital Account, a State Bank of Pakistan initiative that lets non-residents hold accounts in Pakistan remotely. Check the State Bank of Pakistan's own pages for current conditions, since incentives change.
India
If you have moved from India to Germany and become a non-resident under Indian rules, Indian regulations generally expect you to hold NRE or NRO accounts instead of ordinary resident savings accounts. Talk to your Indian bank about the right account type. When sending money to family, a transfer to their own Indian bank account or UPI-linked account is usually the most straightforward.
Afghanistan
Sending money to Afghanistan is harder than to Pakistan or India. Banking links are limited and availability of licensed providers changes over time. Before sending, check which licensed providers currently pay out in Afghanistan and how your relatives can collect the money. Avoid unlicensed brokers even when they are the only offer you hear about, for the reasons explained above. If you are unsure, ask your bank or a migrant counselling service.
A simple checklist before every transfer
- Check the mid-market rate for EUR to PKR, INR or AFN.
- Get quotes from two or three licensed providers for the exact amount.
- Compare the amount your family will receive, not the fee.
- Check how fast it arrives and how your family collects it.
- Save the confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Germany to Pakistan?
There is no single cheapest provider for everyone. The cost depends on the amount, how you pay and how the money is received. Compare the final received amount from several licensed providers on the day you send, or use the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide data as a starting point.
Do I have to pay tax in Germany when I send money to my family?
Sending your own already-taxed money to relatives does not create income tax for you in Germany. Larger gifts can, in theory, fall under German gift tax rules, which have personal allowances that depend on the relationship. For large amounts, check with a tax adviser.
Is there a limit on how much money I can send from Germany?
There is no general cap for private transfers, but payments above €50,000 must be reported to the Bundesbank, and banks may ask about the source of funds for large or unusual payments under anti-money-laundering rules.
Is it legal to use hawala in Germany?
No. BaFin treats hawala as an unlicensed money transfer business, which is a criminal offence for the operator. Senders also lose all protection if something goes wrong.
How can I track how much I send home each month?
Record each transfer as a planned expense in your budget, in both euros and the receiving currency. That way you see the true impact of exchange rates over a year.
Plan your remittances, not just your transfers
Sending money home is easier when it is part of your budget rather than a surprise each month. FlowFund lets you log transfers in euros and in rupees or afghanis, set a monthly support goal and see how exchange rates affect your plans. Read our guide to budgeting in Germany as a foreigner to fit it into your monthly plan, or see the free tools.
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