Why did my SWIFT payment arrive short?

The wider picture

The key points from the guide this answer comes from:

1. For euros to a bank in one of the 41 SEPA countries, SEPA Instant is faster and cheaper than SWIFT: funds arrive in under 10 seconds, at any hour.
2. SWIFT is for everything else: other currencies, other countries and dollar wires abroad. 75% of payments reach the receiving bank within 10 minutes, but crediting can take longer.
3. In the euro area, banks can't charge more for an instant transfer than a standard one, and SEPA Instant has had no scheme cap since October 2025.
4. Under SHA, intermediary banks can deduct fees from a SWIFT payment. Use OUR if the full amount must arrive.

More questions on this

• Is SEPA Instant more expensive than a normal SEPA transfer?
• Is there a maximum amount for SEPA Instant?
• Can I cancel a SEPA Instant payment?

The full guide

If you're paying euros to a bank in one of the 41 SEPA countries, SEPA Instant is faster and cheaper than SWIFT. SWIFT is for everything else: other currencies, other countries, and dollar wires abroad.

Read SEPA Instant vs SWIFT: speed and cost for business payments, with its sources.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources in the guide and take advice on your own situation.