SWIFT/BIC codes in Uruguay

Uruguay: banks and their SWIFT/BIC codes

In Uruguay we have 66 SWIFT/BIC codes from 57 financial institutions. A SWIFT code tells every bank in the chain exactly which bank is meant to get the money.

Choose the bank from the list to see the head office code and any branch codes along with tips for payments to and from that bank. The rest of this page explain how the codes work, the cost of transfers and how to avoid mistakes before you send money.

How reliable is this list?

The best place to find the right code is a document from the bank itself. An incorrect BIC may lead to a delay, a payment being sent back or extra fees.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory draws on publicly available sources and is updated regularly. Institutions reorganise, close branches and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. For any payment of any size, confirm the BIC with the recipient. GoldexPay is not a bank and has no link to the banks in this list.

Watch out for payment requests with changed bank details – a common fraud method. A valid BIC says nothing about who owns the account: criminals use real codes too.

What a transfer to Uruguay really costs

What you pay for a payment to Uruguay has several parts. You pay the transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks along the way and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup if the money is converted.

That exchange rate margin tends to be the largest cost item, even though it is not listed as a fee. An easy check: set the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Specialised transfer providers often offer a rate near the mid-market rate with clearer fees. GoldexPay compares the amount that arrives in Uruguay with different services.

Why a transfer to Uruguay needs a SWIFT code

Since Uruguay does not belong to SEPA, a transfer from abroad normally goes as a SWIFT payment. That means you always need the SWIFT/BIC code of the recipient’s bank, together with the account number or IBAN.

Not every country uses IBAN numbers; in that case the local account number is used instead. Ask the recipient which details their bank requires for payments from abroad – many banks give clear instructions for this. On the way to Uruguay, a transfer may pass through intermediary banks that take a fee.

Which bank in Uruguay has the most codes?

Banco Central del Uruguay leads the list of Uruguay banks in the number of SWIFT/BIC codes. The head office uses CBCUUYMDXXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

Many codes often reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately. Unless a branch code is given, the head office code CBCUUYMDXXX works for a payment to Banco Central del Uruguay.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Uruguay

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. It starts with four letters for the bank, followed by a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

In every code from Uruguay, letters five and six are the ISO country code of Uruguay. Codes with a different country code belong to another country.

If the last three are XXX, it means the main office, and the 8-character version leads to the same place. Choose a branch code just if the recipient’s bank asks for it.

Transfer times to Uruguay

There is no fixed answer for transfers to Uruguay: some arrive the same day or the next. Public holidays in either country can add a day or more to the journey.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi. Each gpi transfer carries a unique reference, the UETR that banks can use to see where the money is. Keep your transfer receipt until the recipient confirms.

Incoming international payments in Uruguay

A sender in another country needs a few details from you. That means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and usually your address.

The code of your bank appears in the list on this page, yet the version on your own statement or in your banking app is leading. Certain sending banks may also want your bank’s address, so keep it at hand.

The amount you receive is often less than what was sent. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, and when currencies differ, a markup on the rate comes on top. For business payments, agree how the fees are split.