Volkswagen Bank SWIFT/BIC code

What VOWAFR21 means for a payment to Volkswagen Bank

The short code VOWAFR21 and the full code VOWAFR21XXX refer to the same bank: Volkswagen Bank. A BIC does one job: it makes sure that a cross-border transfer reaches the right bank. In practice you usually come across it on international invoices, in payment forms and in the bank details that Volkswagen Bank provides.

This page is meant to help anyone who pays into an account at Volkswagen Bank. The SWIFT code alone cannot identify an individual account holder; that is what the IBAN or account number .

Watch out for payment fraud

A common scam works like this: you receive a message saying that a supplier has new bank details and asking you to pay there from now on. A valid SWIFT code says nothing about who owns the account.

Check changed bank details via a different channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract, not by replying to the message. Watch out for time pressure, unusual wording or an email address that differs by one letter. If a payment was sent to a fraudster, call your bank right away.

Fraud can also target the receiver: someone claims to have sent too much and asks you to refund the difference to a new account. A payment confirmation from the sender proves nothing.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Volkswagen Bank

The safest source for a SWIFT code is the recipient’s own bank details. Check that code against VOWAFR21 here; if they differ, ask before you pay.

With a wrong code, the payment may be delayed, be returned or end up costing more, and tracing it can take weeks. A mistake in the IBAN or account number can be more serious, because the money may be credited to someone else.

Many banking apps validate the structure of an IBAN and some suggest the matching BIC – that confirms the format, not the owner. If your bank offers it, a payee name check on the recipient adds extra certainty. Sending a small amount first can be a sensible step for large sums, even if it costs an extra fee.

Sending money abroad from Volkswagen Bank

An international bank payment can cost rather more than the fee suggests. There is the fee for the transfer itself, sometimes fees charged by intermediary banks along the way and, above all, the margin on the exchange rate.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest item, and it is easy to miss. A simple test: put the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

Specialised transfer providers frequently use rates closer to the mid-market rate. GoldexPay compares these services next to each other so you can see what actually arrives. You can still use your account at Volkswagen Bank as the source of the money, while a cheaper service handles the conversion.

About this information

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is based on publicly available sources and we update it periodically. It is possible that a code on this page is no longer current after a merger or reorganisation. Counts and locations are from our own dataset and are not confirmed by Volkswagen Bank.

For a payment that matters, always confirm the code with the recipient’s bank or with the recipient. GoldexPay is independent of Volkswagen Bank; we are a comparison site for money transfers. If you notice a mistake, we appreciate a message.

Transfer times and tracking a payment to Volkswagen Bank

A SWIFT payment usually takes one to a few business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Weekends and public holidays in either country add a day or more, since banks do not process on those days. Extra checks by one of the banks may also add some delay, regardless of the details.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Keep your transfer receipt until the recipient confirms.

The bank that sent the money is able to request a trace. On the receiving end, you can check your statements for a partial amount, since fees may have been deducted.

Euro (EUR) and conversion costs

The currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Money sent in a different currency will be exchanged into EUR on its way to Volkswagen Bank, and whoever converts it chooses the rate. Each conversion eats into something.

Where the conversion happens affects how much arrives, since every bank sets its own rate. Sending the amount directly in EUR often prevents an extra conversion by Volkswagen Bank.

The EUR rate changes throughout the day. If you pay regularly, small differences in the rate add up over time.

What the XXX in VOWAFR21XXX means

The structure of every SWIFT code is always the same: a bank code of four letters, two for the country and two for the location. That gives you VOWAFR21 for Volkswagen Bank.

Most banks and apps accept both lengths. If yours requires eleven characters, use VOWAFR21XXX, otherwise VOWAFR21 is fine.

Do not add spaces, dots when you type VOWAFR21; the code is always written in one block. Look out for the letter O and the digit 0 and the letter I and the digit 1.

Choosing between the 2 SWIFT codes of Volkswagen Bank

We have 2 SWIFT/BIC codes for Volkswagen Bank, spread over 2 locations. Besides the head office code VOWAFR21XXX, you will find codes for regional offices and specialised units.

In most cases there is no need to look up a branch: payments addressed to VOWAFR21XXX are routed within Volkswagen Bank correctly. Just use a branch code when your contact gives you that exact code, for example on a letter or invoice.

When in doubt, ask the person you are paying which code their bank gave them. Codes can change over time.

Do you need VOWAFR21 for a SEPA transfer?

Inside SEPA, euro payments to an account in France use the same rules, so the IBAN does the job in most cases. A field for the BIC is usually optional or missing for those payments.

You will still need VOWAFR21XXX when sending non-euro payments or transfers from countries outside SEPA. If your banking app has a field for the BIC regardless, adding VOWAFR21 is fine.

SEPA transfers normally land within one business day, and instant transfers in seconds where both banks support them. As long as the payment stays in euros, the transfer tends to be inexpensive; costs rise once a conversion is involved.

Receiving money from abroad at Volkswagen Bank

For a transfer from abroad at Volkswagen Bank, the sender needs not just the BIC. Give them your name as the bank knows it, the IBAN or account number, the BIC VOWAFR21XXX and your address.

You can add the bank name and its city as well, since some forms ask for it. A typo in your account number is more trouble than you might think, so copy the details from your online banking.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Fees for incoming transfers differ from bank to bank – the price list of Volkswagen Bank tells you what applies. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs, especially for larger amounts.