URL: https://exchangesteps.com/how-to-create-wise-account
Updated: 2026-11-12
Sources: https://wise.com/help/articles/2897226/what-is-a-wise-account , https://wise.com/help/articles/2555360/can-i-sign-up-with-my-facebook-google-or-apple-account , https://wise.com/help/articles/2817401/tips-for-getting-started-with-wise , https://wise.com/help/articles/2932130/can-i-have-more-than-one-wise-account , https://wise.com/help/articles/1m3537te0AqA7t6xbDNswD/how-do-i-verify-my-email-address , https://wise.com/help/articles/53d8GTW7FUCJOCIth2iwwL/im-seeing-the-error-message-we-are-unable-to-send-an-sms-to-your-number , https://wise.com/gb/legal/terms-of-use-personal , https://wise.com/help/articles/3xConsbhr7buWkQuqDEQ5V/how-do-i-verify-my-country-of-residence

# How to Open a Wise Account, Step by Step

> **Quick answer**
> To open a Wise account you need an **email address and a password** (or a Google, Apple or Facebook account). Then you choose a **personal account**, add your **phone number** for 2-step verification, pick your **country of residence**, and enter your **legal name, date of birth and address** exactly as on your ID. Finally you confirm your email with the link Wise sends you. Signing up is **free, with no monthly fees**.
> The basic requirements: you must be **at least 18**, you can have **one personal account**, and it must be **for yourself**, not for someone else. After sign-up comes [verification](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-identity-verification).
>
> **[Open your Wise account →]**

## Wise account requirements

| Requirement | What Wise says |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 (UK Customer Agreement) |
| Number of accounts | One personal account only. Opening more than one is against the Customer Agreement |
| Whose account | Only yours. You can't open one on someone else's behalf, and there are no joint accounts |
| Cost | Free to sign up, no monthly fees |
| What you need | Email, password, phone number, country of residence, legal name, date of birth, address |
| After sign-up | Verification, usually photo ID, proof of address and/or a picture of you holding your ID |

**Who can sign up?** Wise says you can register and send money from most countries, except the places it doesn't operate (including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Libya). But what you can do afterwards depends on where you live: residents of Arab countries can't pay in their local currency, and the card isn't available to them. Country by country: [Wise in Arab countries](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-supported-countries).

**Business accounts** aren't available to residents of Arab countries. This guide covers the personal account.

## Step 1: Open the sign-up page

Everything happens on Wise's official sign-up page in your browser, on your phone or computer, with nothing to download first. Tap the button and the sign-up page opens:

**[Start signing up with Wise →]**

If you land on the Wise homepage instead, you'll see **[Register]**, **[Sign up]** or **[Open an account]** in the header. You can get the Wise app once your account is open and log in with the same email and password.

> ⚠️ **Check the address:** go through the button on this page or straight to wise.com, never through links that arrive in messages or ads.

## Step 2: Email and password, or Google, Apple or Facebook

You have two options:
- **Email address and a password** you choose.
- **Facebook, Google or Apple**: you're taken to a separate page to confirm they can share your details with Wise.

Note: if you sign up with Google, Apple or Facebook, Wise may ask you to set a Wise password before you send money. To set one: **[Trouble logging in]** → **[I've forgotten my password]** → **[Reset password]**. (If your address is in Türkiye, you can't sign up with these social accounts.)

## Step 3: Choose a personal account

Choose **Personal**. A business account needs your business tax identification number and registration address, and it isn't available to residents of Arab countries.

## Step 4: Phone number and 2-step verification

Enter your phone number and you'll get a code. If the SMS doesn't arrive, select **[Try another way]** and finish 2-step verification by **WhatsApp**, **voice call** or another method. Once your account is open, Wise recommends adding **Passkeys** or Wise app notifications.

## Step 5: Country of residence

Choose the country **you actually live in**, not your nationality. For example, an Egyptian living in Germany chooses Germany.

This choice matters because it decides what you can do, and changing it later may need Wise's help: if the country field in your profile is greyed out, you have to contact Wise with a document issued by your new country.

## Step 6: Name, date of birth and address

Enter your **legal name** and **date of birth exactly as on your ID**, plus your full address in your country of residence. A mismatch between this name and the name on your ID is a common reason for verification to fail later.

## Step 7: Confirm your email

Open Wise's email and click the **link** in it. If it hasn't arrived:
1. Check your **spam** folder.
2. Check the email address is spelled correctly.
3. Select **[Resend email]** to get a new one.

Note: **the verification link expires**, so use it soon.

## Step 8: Get verified

To use the account, Wise needs to verify you: usually a photo ID, proof of address and/or a picture of you holding that ID. Wise says this **usually takes about 2 working days**.
**→ [Wise identity verification guide](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-identity-verification)**

## After verification: your first transfer

Select **[Send]** and a steps bar appears: **Recipient · Amount · Review · Pay**. On **"WHO ARE YOU SENDING TO?"** select **[+ Add]**, choose the recipient's currency, then **[Bank details]** and enter their bank account information. Then the amount and how you pay, then review and pay. More in [What is Wise](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-guide) and [Wise fees](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-fees).

## FAQ

**What are the requirements to open a Wise account?**
You must be at least 18, open the account for yourself, and have only one personal account. You need an email, a phone number and details that match your ID, and then you get verified.

**Can I open a Wise account if I live in Egypt?**
Residents of Egypt can sign up, but they can't hold a balance, order the card or pay in EGP. So Wise is most useful for Egyptians living abroad. Details in [Wise in Arab countries](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-supported-countries).

**Can I open a second account if mine was closed?**
No. Wise allows one personal account, and says that once it has closed an account you generally won't be able to open another one. If your account was closed, read [Wise account restricted or closed](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-account-restricted).

**Can I open an account for my parents or my spouse?**
No. The account represents you only and can't be opened on someone else's behalf. Each person opens their own account with their own details.

**The SMS code didn't arrive. What now?**
Select **[Try another way]** and choose WhatsApp or a voice call.

**Is it free to open a Wise account?**
Yes. Signing up is free and there's no monthly fee. You pay a fee when you send money, shown before you confirm. Details in [Wise fees](https://exchangesteps.com/wise-fees).

## Get started

**[Open your Wise account →]**

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*Last updated: 23 October 2026 · All facts from the official Wise help pages listed above.*