How to send money to Samoa in 2026: to relatives, for leasing customary land and buying a plot
In 2026 the tala is pegged to a basket of 4 currencies, so the sum in Apia is predictable. In the year to June 2025 relatives abroad sent Samoa 902.7 million tala. 81% of the land is customary and is leased through the ministry, and a non-resident buys a freehold plot with the head of state's consent.
Money is sent to Samoa by bank transfer to an account in Apia, through a money transfer system credited within minutes, and with a foreign bank card; the recipient sees the sum in tala. Transfers from abroad hold up the islands' economy: in the financial year to June 2025 they brought 902.7 million tala (more than $320 million), 2.9% more than a year earlier.
Transfer channels to Samoa were checked on 9 October 2026.
| Method | Works now | Currency credited | Timing | What for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A bank transfer from abroad | yes | tala at the bank's rate | 1-3 business days | land lease, a house, studies |
| A money transfer system to an account or a mobile wallet | yes | tala | from a few minutes | help to relatives, family expenses |
| A foreign bank card | yes | tala | at once | a trip and the first weeks |
Transfers to family in Samoa: more than 900 million tala a year
Every year more than 900 million tala comes to Samoa from relatives working in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. For a country of about 200,000 people this is one of the main sources of income, and banks in Apia are used to a steady flow of small transfers. For a bank transfer the sender needs the recipient's name, the account number, the name of the bank in Apia and its international code. The sum is credited in tala at the rate of the day it arrives, so a large payment is better sent straight in US, Australian or New Zealand dollars, with no intermediate exchange.
The tala is pegged to a basket of 4 currencies, including the US dollar, so the rate changes smoothly. For regular help to family a money transfer system is more convenient: the money arrives in minutes, and a recipient even on the island of Savai'i sees it in an account or a phone wallet. For paying for studies, rent or construction a bank transfer with a clear payment purpose is better: that way the bank in Apia credits the money with no questions. If you help relatives every month, we will tell you how best to transfer with smaller losses on the rate.
Leasing customary land and buying a plot in Samoa
A foreigner in Samoa most often leases land: 81% of the territory is customary land, which by custom is not sold but let through the ministry. Another 15% of the land belongs to the state, and only 4% is freehold land that can be bought. A lease of customary land is signed with the ministry, which under a 1965 law acts on behalf of the owning communities, and the rent goes to the communities. For a house, a hotel or a farm by the sea this is the usual path: the plot is obtained without buying it, and payments follow the contract schedule.
A purchase of freehold land by a non-resident is approved by the head of state under the 1972 freehold land alienation law: the application is made to the minister within 3 months after the deal. A resident under this law is someone who has lived in Samoa for at least 2.5 of the last 3 years and continues to live here. Until consent is obtained, the buyer's money is conveniently kept in a lawyer's trust account.
So the payments are split: the rent for customary land is transferred on the contract schedule, and the price of a freehold plot in one transfer after consent. To make the transfer match the date of consent, find out the transfer terms in advance.
A large transfer to Samoa: documents by level
Data for 2026.
| Amount | The question from a bank in Apia | Document |
|---|---|---|
| up to $10,000 | the recipient and the purpose | the payment purpose |
| $10,000-$100,000 | where the money comes from | statements for 3-6 months, a lease contract or an income certificate |
| from $100,000 | the path of the money back to its original source | a contract for selling a flat or a business stake, an inheritance, dividends, a land contract in Samoa |
For buying a plot, documents on the origin of the money are needed twice: for the bank and for the ministry with the application for consent. They are put together once, before sending. Is the sender's bank not letting a large payment through the first time? There are working legal options for such cases: tell a manager about your situation. The procedure for large transfers is on the capital relocation page.
We will help you send money to Samoa
Mistakes cost more than fees: the price of a plot sent to the seller before the head of state's consent, monthly help to family by bank transfer with the full fee, rent for customary land with no payment purpose. We will help you avoid them: we will choose a route for the amount and the sending country, prepare documents on the origin of the money, carry out the transfer through licensed partners and follow it through to crediting.
Details and the cost are with a manager in the chat: they depend on the amount, the sending country and the purpose of the transfer.
From Samoa to New Zealand and further
The largest Samoan community lives in New Zealand, so money from the islands most often goes there, for studies and medical treatment. Next come Australia and the USA, where relatives of many families work. Tala are changed into New Zealand or Australian dollars at a bank in Apia on the day of sending, and the money reaches the recipient already in their country's currency.
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- New Zealand - the New Zealand dollar
- Australia - the Australian dollar
- Vanuatu - the national currency is the vatu
- USA - the US dollar
- Tonga - help to family in pa'anga
- Fiji - by bank or to a mobile wallet
All countries for capital and the procedure for a large transfer are on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
How much money comes to Samoa in transfers in a year?
Can a foreigner buy land in Samoa?
When is the application for consent to buy freehold land in Samoa made?
What currencies is the Samoan tala pegged to?
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.
Check transfer termsHow we handle a transfer: 4 stages → · Country rules checked