For nearly half of people living abroad in Europe, sending money home is not an occasional act of generosity but a core part of monthly budgeting, according to Thunes’ latest report.
The Money Without Borders 2025: Diaspora Payment Trends report, which surveyed nearly 1,000 diaspora consumers across six European countries, reveals that remittances are becoming a routine financial responsibility, not a discretionary expense.
While family and friends remain the main recipients, a notable share of expatriates are now sending money to themselves. This often means topping up a personal bank account or mobile wallet in their home country, either to save, prepare for future travel, or cover personal expenses.
While 82 per cent of respondents said they primarily send money to support family and friends, 15 per cent reported sending it to themselves
Poor experience
Yet, 94 per cent of users are dissatisfied with how cross-border payments work today. The culprits? Poor exchange rates, hidden fees and sluggish transfers. Even as mobile wallets gain traction, used now by nearly a third of senders, old pain points persist.
Poor exchange rates were the top concern, cited by 44 per cent of respondents. Across all countries surveyed, fees were another major pain point, with 35 per cent pointing to high or hidden charges. Delays also caused frustration, with 27 per cent saying the time it takes for transfers to arrive is a problem.
Tackling the problem
Nine in 10 expats want a smarter way to send money. When asked what features would matter most in a product like this, priorities were clear. Lower fees and instant transfers topped the list at 57 per cent, followed by security at 51 per cent, and ease of use from a mobile phone at 41 per cent. Live customer support (27 per cent) and service in their own language (17 per cent) were appreciated but ranked lower in importance.
Elie Bertha, chief product officer at Thunes, said: “This research reinforces what we hear time and again: people expect seamless access to their funds across various platforms, along with speed and complete transparency.
“Stablecoins can make a huge difference in the speed of cross-border transactions and meet this need entirely. As the Smart Superhighway to move money globally, Thunes is committed to empowering our Members with best-in-class solutions that cater to evolving consumer expectations.”
Mathieu Limousi, chief marketing officer at Thunes, also added: “Diaspora consumers are redefining global payment flows with their demand for speed, clarity, and control. At Thunes, we give our members the flexibility to choose between traditional options like fiat and emerging technologies like stablecoins for cross-border payments, based on what best serves their customers. Providers that meet these expectations with simplicity, speed, and transparency will earn lasting trust and loyalty.”
