Anyone who has ever sent money abroad knows this story: you send €200, and your relative says, “I only got €190.” Where did the missing €10 go? Usually, it is hidden in fees that no one mentions.
A good example is a transfer from euro to tenge. On paper, everything appears to be in order: the commission is small, and the amount seems straightforward. But in reality, after the exchange rate trick, plus the recipient’s bank deduction, the final sum turns out noticeably smaller. And you realize it only when the money has already landed.
Money transfers are not abstract numbers. It’s a father sending his daughter money for books at university. It’s a mother paying for her son’s medical treatment. It’s a worker abroad who sets aside part of his salary every month to help his family.
When €15–20 disappears on each transfer, that’s not just “technical costs.” It’s groceries, utilities, school supplies, or simply peace of mind. And the most frustrating thing? Nobody warned you in advance.
The Invisible Charges
Let’s be honest: providers rarely lie outright. They phrase things in a way that makes you overlook the actual cost of the transfer. The most common “traps” are:
Exchange rate markups. Instead of giving you the real market rate, they quietly lower it by a few points.
Receiving bank fees. The money arrives, but before it’s credited, the recipient’s bank takes its cut.
Intermediary deductions. Transfers through SWIFT often pass several banks, and each one can charge a fee.
Service extras. “Processing,” “network,” or other small charges that weren’t obvious when you pressed “send.”
Individually, they don’t look scary, but together they can eat up 5–10% of the transfer.
A Simple Case: Euro-to-Tenge
Take a worker in Germany sending €500 to his parents in Almaty. He thinks: “Fine, I’ll lose maybe €5 in fees.” In practice, it looks like this:
€18 gone because the rate was worse than the official one.
Another €7 disappears at the receiving bank.
An intermediary also eats up an additional €5.
The parents receive €470 instead of €500. That’s a week’s worth of groceries. The sender feels cheated, even though technically nobody lied to him.
Why Koronapay Works Differently
Koronapay was created with one goal: to make transfers transparent and predictable. Through the Korona mobile app, you can send money without wondering how much will actually arrive.
Here’s what stands out:
You see the real exchange rate in the app before sending.
The recipient doesn’t lose money on bank deductions.
Transfers usually arrive within minutes.
Coverage is broad: more than 50 countries across Europe and Asia, including the EU, EEA, CIS, and Southeast Asia.
In other words, what you send is what your family receives. No surprises, no hidden strings attached.
How to Protect Yourself From Hidden Fees
Even if you use a transparent service, a few simple habits will help:
Always compare the offered rate with the official market rate.
Ask the recipient if their bank charges any additional fees.
Avoid tiny transfers—flat fees hurt small amounts the most.
Don’t skip the fine print, even if it’s boring.
Prefer digital-first providers—apps are often more cost-effective than banks.
These steps take minutes but save you euros every time.
Why It’s More Than Just Numbers
When people talk about hidden fees, they often reduce the discussion to percentages and exchange rates. But behind every transfer is a real story. A student in Paris may rely on monthly support from home to cover the costs of books and rent. A grandmother in Kazakhstan may wait for a transfer from her son, who works in Germany, to cover her medical bills. When €15 or €20 disappears somewhere in the process, it’s not just a number—it’s a week of meals, medicine that can’t be delayed, or a utility bill that has to wait.
It also takes an emotional toll.
Many senders feel guilty, as if they didn’t send enough, when in fact it’s the system that quietly shaved off part of the transfer. Families sometimes argue about “missing” money without realizing that banks and intermediaries took their share along the way. This sense of uncertainty undermines trust, and ultimately, everyone loses.
That’s why transparency is about more than saving money. It’s about respect, clarity, and peace of mind. When you know exactly what your loved ones will receive, you can plan, support, and help with confidence—without worrying about unpleasant surprises.
Where Transfers Are Heading
New technologies are changing the way we do things. While sending money to another person was once limited to one or two options, the choice is now vast. People are quickly becoming accustomed to convenience and speed. This trend is likely to remain a permanent fixture.
As the money transfer provider market evolves in response to user demand, we can expect increased transparency and lower fees in the future. These measures are necessary for companies to remain competitive.
Conclusion
When sending money abroad, nobody wants to play detective with fees. Exchange rate markups, receiving bank deductions, and mysterious intermediary charges drain transfers and frustrate both senders and receivers.
The solution is simple: choose services that clearly outline their terms and conditions. With Koronapay, whether you send money from euro to tenge or between any other currencies, you know exactly how much your loved ones will get. And that confidence is worth a lot more than a “low commission” banner.
