SWIFT/BIC codes in Luxembourg: banks starting with E

Bank SWIFT codes for Luxembourg

In Luxembourg we have 1051 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 494 banks. You need a SWIFT/BIC code mostly for international transfers, and especially for payments in foreign currencies.

Choose a bank from the list to view its head office code and any branch codes, plus practical notes for sending and receiving money. The rest of this page explain how the codes work, the cost of transfers and how to avoid mistakes before you send money.

Luxembourg and the SEPA area

Luxembourg belongs to the SEPA area. For a regular euro transfer from another SEPA country, the IBAN is usually enough and the BIC is often filled in automatically.

A SWIFT code does come into play for payments in other currencies and when the money comes from outside SEPA. Instant euro transfers are widely supported across SEPA. Fees are generally low provided no currency is converted; the conversion is where it gets expensive.

What the letters in a Luxembourg BIC mean

Each SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters. The first four letters stand for the bank, characters five and six form the country code and characters seven and eight give the location.

Whatever the bank, all Luxembourg codes have the same country code in positions five and six: the ISO code of the country. If the country letters do not match Luxembourg, the code belongs to a bank somewhere else, so check again.

When a code ends in XXX, it means the main office. Use a branch code just when the recipient explicitly gives you one – otherwise stick with the head office.

Sending money to Luxembourg for less

What you pay for a transfer to Luxembourg has more than one component. You pay the transfer fee, possibly charges from intermediary banks and, above all, the exchange rate markup if the money is converted.

That exchange rate margin tends to be the biggest cost item because it is hidden in the rate. A simple test: set the rate you get against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many currency pairs, a transfer service is less expensive than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay lists these providers side by side so you can see what actually arrives in Luxembourg before you commit.

How long does a transfer to Luxembourg take?

An international transfer to Luxembourg usually takes one to a few business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Payments made late in the day or on weekends and holidays often start a business day later.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi. Each gpi transfer gets a unique reference, the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation; a bank needs it to start a trace.

Paying in EUR: what conversion costs you

Luxembourg pays in the Euro. A payment in a foreign currency is converted into EUR on its way to the recipient – and the bank that does it picks the rate.

Who converts the money matters. Compare what EUR the recipient gets via several services; the difference between options can be larger than you expect. With bigger transfers, even a small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

The largest SWIFT network in Luxembourg: BNP Paribas Securities Services

In our data, BNP Paribas Securities Services holds the largest number of SWIFT/BIC codes in Luxembourg. Its main office has PARBLU21XXX.

Banks differ in how many codes they register. If not the recipient asks for a branch, PARBLU21XXX is fine for transfers to this bank.

What a sender needs to pay you in Luxembourg

To receive a transfer from abroad in Luxembourg, the person paying you needs not just the SWIFT code. That means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and usually your postal address.

Look up the bank in the list on this page and compare the code with your own bank details – your bank statement is the final word. Certain sending banks also want your bank’s address; it does no harm to include it.

The amount you receive can be less than the amount sent. Fees for incoming transfers vary from bank to bank; check the price list of your bank. Agree with the sender who pays which costs.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Luxembourg

The most reliable source for the BIC is the recipient’s own bank details. When the code you were given does not match the code listed here, stop and ask: check with the recipient or the bank.

This list is based on public sources and is updated regularly. Even so, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes. Before any payment of any size, confirm the code with the recipient. GoldexPay is a comparison site for money transfers.

Be wary of payment requests with changed bank details – a common fraud method. Always confirm a change of bank details by phone, using a number you already had.

Filter: banks in Luxembourg with :letter

You are looking at a selection: only institutions in Luxembourg with a name starting with :letter. The totals mentioned above always cover all banks in Luxembourg, not just this letter.

If a bank does not appear under :letter, try the full list: banks are often registered under their full legal name. Use the full list for Luxembourg if you are not sure the exact name.