In March 2026, Venmo did something it had never done before: it let you send money across borders. Through a new connection with PayPal, US Venmo users can now pay hundreds of millions of PayPal account holders in more than 90 countries — no PayPal account needed on your end, just the Venmo app you already have.
To launch the feature, Venmo waived its international transaction fee entirely. But that $0 promotional fee expires on August 24, 2026. After that date, a standard cross-border fee kicks in. Here’s exactly what changes, a few worked examples, and how to send internationally before the deadline.
What’s happening on August 24, 2026
Right now, when you send money from Venmo to a PayPal user abroad, Venmo charges no international transaction fee — you only pay a currency conversion cost baked into the exchange rate. That waiver is a limited-time promotion, and it ends on August 24, 2026.
After the deadline, Venmo’s published fee schedule for sending to a non-US PayPal account applies:
| Situation | Before Aug 24, 2026 | After Aug 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| International transaction fee (funded by balance, debit card, or bank) | $0 (waived) | 5.00% (min $0.99, max $4.99) |
| Extra fee if funded by credit card | +3.00% | +3.00% |
| Currency conversion | Rate spread applies | Rate spread applies |
| Delivery to recipient’s PayPal balance | Typically seconds | Typically seconds |
Two things stay the same on both sides of the deadline. First, a currency conversion spread is always built into the exchange rate you’re shown — that isn’t part of the promotion and doesn’t disappear. Second, Venmo shows every fee, including conversion, upfront before you tap send, so you’ll always see the final cost first.
Worked examples: what the new fee actually costs
Because the international fee is capped at $4.99, the impact depends heavily on how much you send. Larger transfers get proportionally cheaper.
| You send | Funding source | Fee before Aug 24 | Fee after Aug 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30 | Bank / debit / balance | $0 | $1.50 (5%) |
| $100 | Bank / debit / balance | $0 | $4.99 (5% capped) |
| $500 | Bank / debit / balance | $0 | $4.99 (5% capped) |
| $200 | Credit card | ~$6 (3% card fee only) | $4.99 + $6 = ~$10.99 |
Key takeaway: Once you’re sending roughly $100 or more from a bank, debit card, or Venmo balance, the international fee tops out at a flat $4.99. On smaller amounts the 5% rate (with a $0.99 minimum) does the work. Every example above still has the currency conversion spread applied on top — that’s separate from the transaction fee.
Notice the credit card row: paying with a linked credit card adds a flat 3% on top of everything, both before and after the deadline. If you want the cheapest transfer, fund it from your bank, debit card, or Venmo balance instead.
How to send money internationally on Venmo before the deadline
The flow is nearly identical to a normal Venmo payment, with a couple of cross-border requirements. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Add your address to your profile. Venmo requires a verified address on file to send internationally — do this first so you’re not blocked at checkout.
- Open the Venmo app and start a payment. Tap to pay as you normally would.
- Enter the recipient’s full phone number — the one tied to their PayPal account. This is how Venmo routes the money to the right PayPal user abroad. No PayPal account is required on your side.
- Enter the amount in US dollars. Venmo automatically converts it to the recipient’s local currency (you can pick from 25 supported currencies).
- Review the full breakdown. Venmo displays the exchange rate, any conversion cost, and the international fee (currently $0) before you confirm.
- Send. Funds typically land in the recipient’s PayPal balance within seconds.
Your recipient does need a PayPal account in one of the 90+ eligible markets to receive the money — the feature isn’t available everywhere PayPal operates, so it’s worth confirming they’re covered before you send.
Should you send now or wait?
If you already know you’ll be sending money abroad — supporting family, splitting a trip cost, paying a freelancer, or sending a gift — doing it before August 24, 2026 saves you the international transaction fee entirely. On a $30 transfer that’s $1.50; on anything over $100 it’s the full $4.99 per send, which adds up fast if you send regularly.
That said, don’t send money you don’t actually need to move just to dodge a fee — you’d still pay the currency conversion spread, and a flat $4.99 cap is modest for larger transfers. The smart move is simple: front-load any planned international payments before the deadline, and after August 24, prefer bank/debit/balance funding over a credit card to skip the extra 3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Venmo’s international fee after August 24, 2026?
For sending to a non-US PayPal account funded by your Venmo balance, debit card, or bank, the fee is 5.00% with a $0.99 minimum and a $4.99 maximum. If you fund the payment with a credit card, an additional 3.00% applies. A currency conversion spread is included in the exchange rate in all cases.
Do I need a PayPal account to send money internationally with Venmo?
No. You send entirely from your Venmo app. Only the recipient needs a PayPal account, and it must be in one of the 90+ supported markets. You’ll enter their full phone number linked to that PayPal account to route the payment.
How fast does the money arrive?
Once you confirm, funds typically reach the recipient’s PayPal balance within seconds. This is unusually fast for a cross-border transfer, though delivery can vary by market and any account or security checks on the receiving side.
Is the currency conversion cost also being waived until August 24?
No — only the international transaction fee is waived during the promotion. The currency conversion spread is built into the exchange rate you’re shown and applies before and after the deadline. Venmo always displays the converted amount and total cost upfront so you can decide before sending.
The bottom line
Venmo’s leap into international payments is genuinely convenient: 90+ countries, 25 currencies, seconds to arrive, and no PayPal account needed on your end. The catch is the calendar. Until August 24, 2026, the international transaction fee is $0. After that, expect 5% (max $4.99) from bank/debit/balance, plus 3% if you use a credit card, plus the usual conversion spread. If you have a planned transfer, sending before the deadline is the clear win — just make sure your address is on file and you have the recipient’s PayPal phone number ready.
WalletWisp is an independent resource for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Fees, limits, and terms can change — always confirm the current details in the Venmo app before you send.
