If you paid for your transfer via bank wire on a Friday afternoon, Saturday, or Sunday and you don't see your remittance moving yet, don't worry: it is completely normal. Your money is not lost, and Retorna is not holding it; it simply depends on whether or not your specific bank processes transfers during those times.
In this guide, we explain how long a bank transfer from Europe actually takes and what to do while you wait.
Why hasn't my transfer arrived if it was supposed to be immediate?
It is important to note that even though immediate transfers are usually credited instantly, they can still experience delays over the weekend, causing some transactions to take longer than usual to appear.
A bank transfer is not instantaneous; it depends on the time and day your bank processes it. European banks only process transactions during business hours: Monday through Friday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
I made a transfer and it arrived, so why didn't my second one?
Not all transfers behave the same way, even if they come from the same bank or are the same type of transaction. Each transaction can have different processing times and may depend on the bank's internal validation processes.
This means that if your bank receives a transfer order on a Friday afternoon, it will not process it until the next business day, usually Monday. That is why a payment made on a Friday might not show up until Monday or even Tuesday, without there being any issue with your money.
How long does each type of transfer take?
MethodValidation timeImmediate transfer24 to 72 business hoursStandard transfer24 to 72 business hours
Weekends and public holidays do not count as business hours. While your payment is not reflected, your transfer will remain in a validation status. As soon as the money reaches the Retorna account, the transfer will continue automatically, without you needing to do anything.
What happens if I paid on a Friday or over the weekend?
Payments made on Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, or public holidays begin processing on the next business day. In other words, if you paid on Friday afternoon or over the weekend, your bank will not start processing it until Monday.
💡 Your money is safe and tracked. The wait time doesn't mean there is any uncertainty about where your money is—it's simply the banking calendar at work.
In a hurry? Choose another method
If you need your transfer to arrive quickly and you are about to pay on a Friday or over the weekend, you can choose credit or debit card instead of a bank transfer; this method does not depend on banking hours to be validated.
⚠️ Do not repeat the transfer. If you don't see your payment reflected yet, do not make a second transfer thinking the first one didn't go through. Retorna cannot link two separate payments to the same transfer, and this will only cause confusion with your balance. Please wait 24 to 72 business hours before taking any further action.
What should I do if more than 72 business hours have passed?
If your payment is not reflected after 72 business hours, contact us and share your full bank receipt so we can review your case. Before writing to us, please confirm these points, as they resolve most cases without the need to wait for an agent:
- You are the sole account holder of the bank account (Retorna does not accept payments from third parties or joint accounts without proof of ownership)
- The transferred amount is exactly as indicated in the app
- You included your unique transfer reference number
A special case: Swift transfers instead of SEPA
Retorna only accepts transfers SEPA. Some banks, especially OpenBank, process SWIFTtransfers by default, which do not show up in your Retorna account and are automatically refunded after 72 business hours.
If you use OpenBank or any bank that has processed a SWIFT transfer for you, explicitly request that your bank perform the transaction as a SEPA transfer, this way you avoid having your money refunded and having to try again.
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Want to know all the payment methods available in your country? Check out: Retorna payment methods by country: options and how to use them easily
Want to know all the countries from which you can send and receive money with Retorna? Read this article: Countries from which you can send and receive money with Retorna – updated guide
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't my bank transfer in Europe showing up immediately?
Because European banks only process transfers during business hours (Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and holidays). A transfer can take between 24 and 72 business hours to appear.
What happens if I pay on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend?
Your bank begins processing on the next business day, usually Monday. It is normal for the payment to show up by Monday or Tuesday.
What is the difference between an immediate and a standard transfer in Europe?
Both have the same validation time: 24 to 72 business hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
What should I do if more than 72 business hours have passed and my payment is not showing up?
Contact us and share your full bank receipt. Before doing so, please confirm that you are the sole account holder, the amount is exact, you included your remittance reference, and your bank is not OpenBank.
Why does my OpenBank account cause issues with my transfer to Retorna?
OpenBank processes Swift transfers by default instead of SEPA, which is the only type of transfer Retorna accepts. This causes the funds not to appear and to be automatically refunded after 72 business hours. Please ask your bank to specifically perform a SEPA transfer.
I'm in a hurry, can I avoid the bank transfer wait time?
Yes, you can pay with a credit or debit card, which does not depend on banking hours for validation.
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