Collect a deposit from an international tenant — no local bank account needed
When a tenant is moving from another country, "just transfer the deposit to my account" doesn't work — they may not have a bank account where you live yet, can't send a SEPA or domestic transfer, and cash on arrival feels risky for both sides. Here's how to collect the deposit or holding fee before they've even landed.
Why deposit collection breaks down for overseas tenants
Most deposit workflows assume the tenant already banks in your country: a transfer reference, a domestic IBAN, maybe a cheque. None of that exists for someone who hasn't moved yet. The result is a frustrating standoff — the landlord won't hand over keys without a deposit, and the tenant has no way to pay one that either side trusts.
- International (SWIFT) transfers can take 3–5 business days and cost the tenant €20–50 in bank fees.
- Tenants moving from outside the EU/UK often can't open a local bank account until they have a registered address — which they don't have until they sign the lease.
- Cash handovers on move-in day leave no paper trail for either party, and many landlords (rightly) refuse them.
- PayPal 'friends and family' transfers feel unofficial, generate no receipt, and can be reversed.
A payment link your tenant can pay from anywhere
PayRequest turns the deposit or holding fee into a single link. Your tenant opens it on their phone — wherever they currently live — and pays with a debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal, in their own currency. No IBAN, no SEPA, no SWIFT reference needed. You choose whether the payment is a pre-authorization hold (released later) or an immediate charge.
Works from 190+ countries
Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal are accepted from almost anywhere — your tenant doesn't need a local bank account to pay you before they arrive.
135+ currencies handled automatically
You set the amount in euros (or your local currency). The tenant's card is charged in their own currency — the conversion happens automatically on the card network's side.
Pre-authorize or charge — your choice
Hold the deposit on their card without charging it (release after move-out with no issues), or charge it upfront and refund later. Both are built in.
A receipt and paper trail, automatically
Every payment generates a branded receipt for the tenant and a record in your dashboard — useful if a deposit dispute ever needs evidence.
Collecting an international tenant's deposit, step by step
Create a payment request for the deposit or holding fee
Set the amount and choose 'pre-authorization' (hold) or 'charge now'. Add a short description — e.g. '1-month deposit, Flat 3B, Rotterdam'.
Send the link before they travel
Email, SMS or WhatsApp the link to your tenant while they're still abroad. They don't need to install anything or create an account to pay.
Tenant pays with their card or wallet
They pay in their home currency using a card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal — the same way they'd pay for anything else online.
You get notified instantly
PayRequest confirms the payment (or hold) and emails you and the tenant a receipt. Funds settle to your bank account on your normal payout schedule.
Release, capture, or refund after move-out
If you chose a pre-authorization hold, release it (no charge) or capture part of it for damages. If you charged upfront, refund with one click from the dashboard.
Collecting from abroad: the options compared
| Method | Local bank account? | Typical fee | Receipt | Refundable hold | Time to receive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
International bank transfer (SWIFT) | Sender needs SWIFT access | €20–50 in sender/receiver fees | Bank statement only | No — manual refund transfer | 3–5 business days |
Cash on arrival | Not required | None | None, unless written manually | No | Immediate, but risky |
PayPal 'friends & family' | Not required | Often 0%, but no protection | Informal | No | Instant, but reversible |
PayRequest payment linkBest | Not required — card or wallet | 2% capped at €25, paid by you | Automatic, branded | Yes — pre-authorization | Instant confirmation, 1–2 day payout |
Tenants who don't (yet) have a local bank account
International students
Securing a room before the semester starts — often while still in their home country and without a bank account where the university is located.
Relocating employees & expats
Company relocations run on tight timelines — the deposit often needs to be paid before HR has set up a local salary account.
Remote workers & digital nomads
Signing a 6–12 month lease in a new country while still being paid into a foreign account.
Sight-unseen lets
Tenants who view a property remotely and want to secure it immediately, before flying over for move-in day.
Why this works when bank transfers don't
PayRequest sits on top of Stripe, Mollie and PayPal's global payment rails — the same infrastructure used by Airbnb, Booking.com and major marketplaces to collect payments from guests anywhere in the world. Your tenant never needs to know any of this; they just see a simple, branded checkout page.
- Card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) work in almost every country — no SWIFT codes or IBANs required.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay let tenants pay with a fingerprint or face scan from their phone.
- Currency conversion happens automatically on the card network's side — you receive the amount in euros (or your chosen currency), regardless of what currency your tenant's card is in.
- Pre-authorization holds use the same technology hotels and car rental companies use for security deposits — funds are reserved but not taken unless you capture them.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tenant pay a deposit without a bank account in my country?+
What currencies can the tenant pay in?+
Is the deposit refundable if I use a pre-authorization hold?+
Will the tenant be charged extra fees for paying internationally?+
Who pays PayRequest's fee?+
Do I still need to register the deposit with a tenancy deposit protection scheme?+
Stop chasing international bank transfers
Send your next tenant a payment link they can pay from anywhere — no IBAN, no SWIFT codes, no cash handovers.