How to send money to Mexico in 2026: pesos to an 18-digit number in 1-3 business days and for a home by the sea

An 18-digit number, crediting in pesos and a 50-year bank trust for a home by the sea set Mexico apart in 2026. A transfer to such a number through the Bank of Mexico system arrives in seconds, around the clock. We show who gets a dollar account, how to prove solvency with statements and which taxes a resident pays.

In 2026 money is sent to Mexico to an account at a Mexican bank using the 18-digit interbank number: from abroad the payment takes 1-3 business days, and within the country the Bank of Mexico system then moves money in seconds at any time of day. It is credited in pesos, because a dollar account for a private person is opened only for residents of the northern border strip and the Baja California peninsula. A foreigner holds a home by the sea through a 50-year bank trust, and a residence permit based on financial solvency is granted on 6 or 12 months of statements.

Pesos are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 7 October 2026 (18.09 pesos per dollar), rounded up. What works in 2026:

• an international bank transfer to a Mexican account - works, 1-3 business days, credited in pesos at the recipient bank's rate;
• a transfer to a dollar account - works for companies in all states and for private persons in the border strip;
• a money transfer service - works, to the recipient's account or card in pesos, from a few minutes;
• a domestic transfer through the Bank of Mexico system - around the clock, in seconds, by 18-digit number, card number or phone number;
• paying for a home by the sea - works, to the trust account at a Mexican bank.

18 account digits and a payment in seconds across Mexico

The Mexican interbank account number has 18 digits: 3 for the bank code, 3 for the city code, 11 for the account number and 1 check digit. With it the sender's bank abroad finds the recipient's account, and for an international transfer the bank's international code of 8 or 11 characters is added. A typo in any digit is caught by the check digit, and the money does not go to a stranger.

Inside Mexico money moves through the Bank of Mexico interbank payment system: a transfer between any banks in the country arrives in seconds, at weekends and at night too. So money from abroad is best received on one account of your own, and rent, school or renovation are then paid from it by account, card or phone number.

Pesos or dollars: which account a private person should receive a transfer to

Under Bank of Mexico rules a dollar account is opened for a private person who lives in the 20-kilometre strip along the northern border or in the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. Companies hold dollar accounts in any state. For everyone else the bank credits a dollar transfer in pesos at its own rate on the day of arrival, and for a large sum the rate difference is noticeable.

So the first decision is where exchanging is cheaper: at the sending bank, at the Mexican bank or in parts as you spend. We will advise how best to send money to Mexico: we will compare the two banks' rate and fee for your amount.

A transfer to a Mexican account: the resident card and the population register code

A Mexican bank opens an account for a foreigner with a temporary or permanent resident card. Together with the card a unique code from the national population register is issued, and the bank asks for it when opening an account, along with the passport and proof of address. The tax number is obtained separately from the tax service: it is needed if income arrives on the account or you buy a home.

Until you have a resident card, the money is kept on your own account in the country you are moving from and transferred after the Mexican account is opened.

A flat by the sea: a 50-year bank trust

Within 100 kilometres of the border and 50 kilometres of the coast a foreigner holds a home through a bank trust: a Mexican bank holds the title under the trust agreement, while you live in the home, rent it out and sell it. The trust is set up for 50 years with renewal, and the permit for it is issued by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Inland, in Mexico City, Guadalajara or San Miguel de Allende, a home is registered directly in your name.

The property acquisition tax is paid once at registration with the notary, and the rate is set by the state and the municipality: 2 to 5% of the price. The money for the purchase arrives on your Mexican account or the trust account in advance, and by law the notary checks where it comes from.

A manager will suggest which source-of-funds documents the bank and the notary will accept for your deal and set out the payment schedule up to signing.

A residence permit based on financial solvency: a year of statements

A temporary Mexican residence permit of up to 4 years is most often granted on financial solvency. The consulate looks either at income over the last 6 months (about $4,700 a month) or at the average account balance over 12 months (about $79,000), and adds roughly $1,500 for each family member. The thresholds differ from consulate to consulate and are revised every year.

Money for this route is kept on your own account abroad for the whole year before applying and transferred to Mexico after the resident card is issued. Thresholds and documents are on the Mexico residence permit page, and costs after the move in cost of living in Mexico.

The transfer amount and documents for a Mexican bank

A Mexican bank matches documents to the amount and purpose of the transfer, data for 2026:

The larger the sum, the earlier the documents are gathered: for a home by the sea the pack is prepared before the contract with the seller is signed. The general procedure is described in moving home sale proceeds abroad, and moving capital end to end on the capital relocation page. Tell a manager the amount and purpose, and they will say how long the check at the Mexican bank will take.

Taxes for a resident of Mexico and gifts from family

A person becomes a Mexican tax resident if they have a home in the country; if they also have a home in another country, the centre of vital interests decides - where more than half of the income or the main work is. A resident pays tax on worldwide income on a scale of up to 35%. A transfer of your own savings is not income, and money given by a spouse, parents or children is exempt from income tax. Details are on the taxes in Mexico page.

From a Mexican account to the USA, Canada and Latin America

From Mexico money most often goes to the USA and Canada: banks in these countries work with Mexican banks directly, and dollars arrive in one or two business days. To Brazil and Argentina money goes in dollars through an intermediary bank.

Sending money to nearby countries

• How to send money to the USA
• How to send money to Canada
• How to send money to Belize
• How to send money to Argentina
• How to send money to Paraguay
• How to send money to the Cayman Islands

Other destinations are on the capital relocation page.

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