How to send money to Sri Lanka in 2026: for living, for a flat and for work for foreign clients
Money reaches Sri Lanka by bank transfer to a personal foreign currency account or a rupee account, at 330.5 rupees per dollar. To buy a flat a foreigner transfers the full price from abroad through an inward investment account, and the sale proceeds later go back through it. Since April 2026 a bank account needs a tax number.
In short
- A transfer takes 1-3 business days to a foreign currency account or in rupees.
- A flat is paid for in full from abroad through an inward investment account.
- Income from foreign clients through a local bank is taxed at no more than 15%.
- Since April 2026 an account needs a tax number.
In detail
Sri Lanka, 8 October 2026: which transfers go through
The table was checked on 8 October 2026, and rupees are converted at 330.5 per US dollar. The island has no international account number: the sender's bank gives the recipient's account number and the international code of their bank.
| Route | Now | Currency credited | Time | What you will need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A bank transfer to a personal foreign currency account | works | US dollars, euros, pounds and other currencies | 1-3 business days | the account number, the bank's international code, the recipient's name |
| A bank transfer to a rupee account | works | rupees at the bank's rate | 1-3 business days | the same details |
| A transfer to an inward investment account | works | US dollars | 1-3 business days | an inward investment account at a bank in the country, the purchase contract |
| A money transfer service | works | rupees | from a few minutes | the recipient's ID |
A bank opens a personal foreign currency account for a foreigner who lives on the island or comes for a while: the money stays in dollars or euros and is exchanged into rupees as you spend. Inside the country money moves between banks instantly and around the clock. Does the sender's bank ask you to explain the purpose of a transfer to the island? There are usually more options than it seems: a manager will go through your situation and suggest a route for the amount.
A flat in Sri Lanka: the full price by transfer from abroad
Since 2014 land has been granted to a foreigner on a long-term lease of up to 99 years, while a condominium flat is bought outright if the full price arrived by transfer from abroad before the deal. The money for this goes through an inward investment account: a bank opens it for a foreigner who lives on the island or abroad.
The sale proceeds are later returned through the same account. If the deal with the developer falls through, the refund is also credited back to the inward investment account, and 15% tax is paid on the gain from a sale.
Example: a flat in Colombo for 60 million rupees ($190,000). Stamp duty is 3% on the first 100,000 rupees and 4% on the rest, 2,399,000 rupees ($7,300) in total. The price is transferred in full before signing, so the dollar amount is sent with a margin for the rate.
So that the bank counts the transfer as money from abroad and it can be taken back later, we will advise how best to transfer the price of the flat. Properties are selected on the property in Sri Lanka page.
We will help you send money to Sri Lanka
Mistakes cost more than fees: a flat price that bypassed the inward investment account, after which the sale proceeds are hard to take back, a client's payment to a foreign card instead of a local bank and the scale of up to 36% instead of 15%, a transfer with no tax number. We will help you avoid them: we will choose the route and timing, prepare source-of-funds documents for the bank and the developer and carry out the transfer until it is credited.
Details and cost are with a manager in the chat: the price depends on the amount and the purpose of the transfer.
Working for foreign clients from the island: up to 15% tax
Since 1 April 2025 income from services to foreign clients has been taxed at no more than 15% if payment arrived in foreign currency through a bank in Sri Lanka. Without this route the income falls under the general scale of up to 36%. On 6 million rupees ($19,000) a year the tax with payment through a local bank is 540,000 rupees, and on the scale 1,032,000.
The digital nomad visa launched in February 2026 also rests on transfers: income from $2,000 a month (about 661,000 rupees) arrives from abroad, and the fee is $500 a year for each applicant. Since April 2026 a bank account on the island has required a tax number, which is obtained in advance.
The bank withholds 10% on deposit interest, and the tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Rates and deadlines are on the taxes in Sri Lanka page, and the visa terms on the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa page.
Three steps of the amount: from rent to a flat by the ocean
- Up to $10,000. The bank checks the recipient's name, the account number and the purpose: rent, study, holiday.
- $10,000-100,000. The bank asks for the sender's account statement and a contract: a villa lease or a contract with a client.
- From $100,000. The bank looks at the source of capital and the contract with the developer, and the price of the flat goes through the inward investment account. At this step a manager will tell you which papers on the money to prepare in advance.
How to gather documents on the money is explained in proof of source of funds, and the procedure for moving all your capital on the capital relocation page.
Sending money to nearby countries
- How to send money to India: the neighbouring shore and the shared roots of the rupee
- How to send money to Singapore: a bank for capital in the region
- How to send money to Malaysia: a long-term residence permit
- How to send money to Thailand: wintering on the neighbouring coast
- How to send money to the UAE: a stopover and work in Dubai
- How to send money to the Maldives: dollars or rufiyaa in 1-3 days
If the money moves with you, the plan for the whole sum is on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy a flat in Sri Lanka?
What tax does a remote specialist pay in Sri Lanka?
What income is needed for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa?
Is a tax number needed to open an account in Sri Lanka?
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