How to send money to Guinea-Bissau in 2026: the franc to the euro, the union's rules, instant transfers and land by concession
In 2026 Guinea-Bissau receives money from abroad within 5 working days in West African CFA francs: euros are converted at the fixed rate of 655.957, and within the country the amount moves in seconds between banks and to a wallet. From $10,000 the bank asks for a statement or salary certificate.
In short
- Euros are exchanged at the fixed rate of 655.957 francs; the dollar on 7 October 2026 - 586.88.
- Since the end of December 2024 the union's Regulation 06/2024 has applied, with residence defined by the centre of interests.
- 4 banks in the country accept the central bank's instant transfers.
- A company, including a foreign one, is granted a land concession of up to 1,500 hectares.
In detail
In 2026 money arrives in Guinea-Bissau in West African CFA francs: to an account at one of the country's six banks or to a wallet by phone number. The franc is pegged to the euro at 655.957 francs per euro, and on 7 October 2026 a dollar cost 586.88 francs. Four banks in the country accept the central bank's instant transfers.
| Where the transfer arrives | Status on 8 October 2026 | Credit currency | What the sender needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| A resident's bank account | works | francs at the bank's rate | the bank's international code, account number, name |
| Non-resident account | works | francs, topped up from abroad | the same details and central bank approval when opening |
| Wallet by phone number | works | francs | phone number and the owner's name |
| Instant transfer between the country's banks | works around the clock | francs | account or phone number |
Checked on 8 October 2026. The reference rate of the Central Bank of West African States on 7 October 2026 was 586.88 francs per dollar; the euro rate is fixed at 655.957 francs.
Euros or dollars: what is better to send to Bissau
The bank exchanges euros at a fixed rate, so 1,000 euros always give 655,957 francs, and the recipient knows the amount in advance. The dollar floats together with the euro rate: $1,000 gave 586,880 francs on 7 October 2026, and a month later the amount will be different.
Guinea-Bissau is the only Portuguese-speaking country of the union, but it shares its currency and central bank with Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. A euro transfer from Lisbon or Paris is exchanged into francs at the same fixed rate.
The union's new currency rules: what has changed since 2025
Since the end of December 2024 Regulation 06/2024 on external financial relations has applied in all eight countries of the union, replacing the 2010 rules. In July 2025 the central bank issued 15 instructions for it. A bank in Bissau checks every foreign operation against documents: a contract, an invoice, the payment purpose.
A resident is now defined by their centre of economic interests: whoever lives and works in the country for a long time is a resident even without citizenship. Since 1 August 2025 a bank opens a non-resident account with central bank approval, so it is prepared before the first large transfer. Our manager will explain the procedure for your status.
Which banks in Bissau are connected to instant transfers
The instant payment platform of the Central Bank of West African States has worked since 30 September 2025, around the clock and at weekends. In Guinea-Bissau four banks are connected to it: Banco da União, Coris Bank, Ecobank and Orabank. Money between them passes immediately, including at night.
From 2 November 2026 all transfers between wallets of different operators will go through the same platform. Receiving a transfer to a wallet is free, and sending up to 8,000 francs a day within one operator is free too.
Land on the Bijagós Islands and near Bissau: a land concession
Under the 1998 land law, land in Guinea-Bissau belongs to the state, and an individual or a company receives the right to use a plot through a concession. A farm plot is granted up to 300 hectares, and the Council of Ministers grants cooperatives and companies, national and foreign, concessions of up to 1,500 hectares.
For a guest house on the islands or a cashew plantation, money is sent to the account of the company holding the concession, not to a private person. Our manager will review the project and the path of the money to the plot.
Transfer by amount: what to attach for the bank in Bissau
Banks check clients under the union's common anti-money laundering law; the country's financial intelligence unit has worked since 2006, and the union's Banking Commission supervises. In 2026 the documents grow with the amount:
| Amount | What the bank will ask | What to attach |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | who sent it and why | purpose: for family, studies, medical treatment |
| $10,000 - $100,000 | where the money comes from | account statement, salary or sale certificate |
| From $100,000 | the origin of the money and the purpose of the investment | property sale agreement, concession decision, company charter |
A large transfer for a project goes faster when the package is collected before sending. We compare countries for moving with capital on the capital relocation page.
We will help you send money to Guinea-Bissau
Dollars instead of euros, a non-resident account without central bank approval, money to a private person instead of the company holding the concession - such mistakes cost more than the fee. We will help you avoid them: we will choose the currency and route, prepare documents for the bank in Bissau and take the transfer through licensed partners until it is credited.
Details and cost are with our manager in the chat: everything depends on the amount, currency and purpose of the transfer to Guinea-Bissau.
Near Guinea-Bissau: Senegal, Guinea and Cape Verde
- Senegal: the northern neighbour with the same franc and the same platform.
- Guinea: the southern neighbour with its own franc.
- Cape Verde: islands where Portuguese is spoken too.
- Portugal: the source of many euro transfers.
- Côte d'Ivoire: the largest economy of the union.
How to choose a country to live in with your money is on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
At what rate does a bank in Guinea-Bissau exchange euros?
How many banks in Guinea-Bissau accept the central bank's instant transfers?
Who is a resident of Guinea-Bissau under the new currency rules?
Can a company get land in Guinea-Bissau for a project?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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