Skrill review: verified in 10 minutes, paying in 15
We opened a fresh account, verified it, deposited and withdrew — here's exactly what Skrill costs, how fast it really is, and who it's right for.
- FCA-authorised e-money issuer
- Customer funds safeguarded
- Two-factor authentication
- We opened a real account to test
We may earn a commission if you open an account through our links. It never changes what you pay, and it does not influence our rating or what we write here.
What will you mainly use Skrill for?
Pick one — you'll get a straight answer on whether Skrill fits.
Verdict in 30 seconds
Skrill is the fastest wallet we've tested from signup to first payment. Its strength is instant balance-to-merchant payments and quick withdrawals; its weakness is the FX fee if you operate across currencies.
What we liked
- Automatic ID verification — ours took 8 minutes
- Instant payments to merchants from balance
- Virtual Mastercard issued instantly, free
- Withdrawals to wallet typically same-day at supported merchants
- Wide acceptance where cards are declined or slow
- Skrill-to-Skrill transfers are instant
What to watch
- 3.99% FX fee — hold the currency you spend in
- €5/month inactivity fee after 6 months unused
- Bank withdrawal costs 1.75% (minimum €3.50)
- Support is ticket-first; phone only for VIP tiers
Skrill fees, plainly
Published personal-account fees as of October 2026. Confirm current rates on skrill.com before transacting.
| Action | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Open account | Free | 2 min |
| Deposit by card | up to 1.25% | Instant |
| Deposit by bank transfer | Free | 1–2 days |
| Pay a merchant from balance | Free | Instant |
| Skrill-to-Skrill transfer | 2.99% (min €0.50)* | Instant |
| Withdraw to bank | 1.75% (min €3.50) | 1–3 days |
| Currency conversion | 3.99% | — |
| Inactivity (after 6 months) | €5/month | — |
*Receiving money from another Skrill user is free; True Skrillers pay 1.45% to send (min €0.50).
From zero to first payment — the exact steps
The single most important thing: verify immediately after registering. An unverified account has low limits and delayed payments; a verified one pays merchants instantly.
Register with email
Name, email, country, currency. Pick your main spending currency here — it can't be changed later without support.
~2 minVerify your identity right away
In the app: photo of passport or ID card, then a short selfie scan. Approval is automatic for most users — ours cleared in 8 minutes. This unlocks full deposit/withdrawal limits.
~10 minMake your first deposit
Card deposits land instantly (up to 1.25% fee). Instant bank transfer is supported in most EU countries. Start with a small amount to confirm everything works end-to-end.
InstantPay from your balance
At checkout, choose Skrill, log in, confirm. The merchant is credited instantly — no card numbers shared. For sites without Skrill checkout, generate the free virtual Mastercard and pay by card instead.
~1 minWithdrawing back
Merchant withdrawals arrive to your Skrill balance, usually same-day. From there: spend via the card, send to another user, or withdraw to your bank (1.75%, min €3.50, 1–3 days).
Same day*How Skrill compares
| Skrill | Neteller | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verification | ~10 min | ~15 min | ~1 day |
| Card deposit fee | up to 1.25% | up to 2.5% | Free* |
| Bank withdrawal | 1.75% (min €3.50) | 1.75% (min USD 3.50) | Free |
| Specialist merchant acceptance | Widest | Wide | Limited |
Skrill wins on speed and acceptance; PayPal wins on mainstream e-commerce. See the full breakdown in our e-wallet comparison for 2026. Deciding between Skrill and its sister wallet? See how Skrill and NETELLER compare on fees and cards.
Skrill questions, answered
Is Skrill safe and regulated?
Yes. Skrill is operated by Paysafe Group and is authorised as an e-money institution (regulated by the UK FCA, with EU services via its licensed EU entity). Customer funds are safeguarded separately from company funds. Enable two-factor authentication in settings.
How long does Skrill verification take?
Usually 5–15 minutes when done through the app with a valid passport or national ID. Manual review (rare) can take up to 24 hours. Verifying immediately after registration avoids payment delays later.
Does Skrill have a card?
Yes — a free virtual Mastercard issued instantly after verification, and a physical prepaid card in supported countries. Both spend directly from your balance anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
How do I avoid Skrill fees?
Three rules: keep your account in one currency to skip the 3.99% FX fee, deposit by bank transfer instead of card when you're not in a hurry, and log in at least once every 6 months to avoid the inactivity fee.
Skrill or Neteller?
They're sister products from Paysafe with similar acceptance. Skrill has lower card-deposit fees (up to 1.25% vs 2.5% at Neteller), while bank withdrawals cost 1.75% on both; Neteller's loyalty programme suits very frequent users. Most people only need one — see our full comparison.
Open your Skrill account in about 10 minutes
Free to open, a free virtual Mastercard once you're verified, and instant payments straight from your balance.
Open free Skrill account Free to open · ~10 min verification · 18+