{"id":12271,"date":"2026-05-17T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/curiara.com\/?p=12271"},"modified":"2026-05-14T06:06:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T10:06:45","slug":"what-is-a-money-order-for-sending-money-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/curiara.com\/en\/que-es-giro-postal-enviar-dinero-extranjero\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a money order, and how does it work for sending money abroad?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s an entire generation that remembers standing in line at the post office. The handwritten form, the tracking number on a folded piece of paper, the days-long wait to find out if the money had arrived. For many Latin American families, the money order was, for decades, the only possible link between here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the world has changed. But the question remains the same: What's the best way to send money to the people you love most?<\/strong> Understanding what a money order is, how it works, and what alternatives are available is the first step toward making that decision based on accurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a money order?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A money order is a physical payment instrument<\/strong> which allows money to be sent from one person to another through a post office or an authorized institution. It works like a prepaid check, since the sender pays the amount plus a fee, and the recipient can cash it at the designated pickup location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method has a history dating back decades. In Spain, money orders through Correos were introduced in 1909, and for much of the 20th century, they were the most common way to send money both within the country and abroad. Their main historical advantage was that did not require a bank account<\/strong> neither the sender nor the recipient, which made it accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How a Money Order Works, Step by Step<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The process varies slightly depending on the carrier, but in general, it works like this:
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Step 1: Go to the office<\/strong>
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A traditional money order is a process that must be done in person. You must go to a post office or authorized location with the cash and the recipient's information.
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Step 2: Fill out the form<\/strong>
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You must provide the amount, the destination currency (if the transfer is international), the recipient's full name and address, and the sender's information. You must present a valid form of identification.
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Step 3: Pay the amount and the fee<\/strong>
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The total cost includes the amount to be sent plus the service fee, which varies depending on the destination and the provider. For domestic money transfers, the flat fee starts at around \u20ac2.25 plus a variable fee of 1.50% of the amount. For international transfers, the fixed fee ranges from \u20ac4.50 to \u20ac6.50 depending on the destination, plus the variable percentage and, in many cases, a marked-up exchange rate that isn\u2019t always clearly shown in the breakdown.
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Step 4: Get the tracking number<\/strong>
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Once the money order has been issued, you will receive a reference number that the recipient will need to collect the money at a post office in their country.
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Step 5: The recipient receives payment<\/strong>
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Depending on the destination and the type of money transfer, the funds can be picked up in cash at a branch, deposited into a bank account, or sent to a mailing address. Processing times range from almost immediate receipt of cash to 3 to 5 days for transfers to a bank account.
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Types of International Money Orders from Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Correos Espa\u00f1a offers several ways to send money abroad:<\/p>\n\n\n\n