| Provider | Amount Received | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Corepay^ | GBP £8,617.21 | No Fee | 0.8617 | 1-3 days | more... |
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OFX (UK) | GBP £8,608.52 | No Fee | 0.8609 | 1-3 days | more... |
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TorFX | GBP £8,630.26 | No Fee | 0.863 | 1-3 days | more... |
Founder & CEO, FXCompared
Daniel is one of the world experts on the money transfer sector. He is widely quoted across the industry with over 20 years of experience in the international finance world focused on international payments, technology, and the property sectors. More about Daniel.
Few countries in Europe have a history as long as France and the UK, with their political and economic ties going back centuries. These ties were deepened through joint membership of the EU, with projects such as the channel tunnel making access between the two countries easier than ever. Because of that change, a vast amount of trade, investment, and bilateral migration now passes between the two countries.
There have been some changes post-Brexit however, with British nationals losing their EU citizenship and tuition fees skyrocketing for international students.
Despite having separate currencies, with the UK sticking to the pound sterling (GBP), there have historically been no restrictions when transferring money from France to UK banks. However, it is important to remember that exchange rates will look different from a few years ago, with an unstable UK economy factoring into the value of the pound dropping.
Explore your options before transferring to avoid pesky bank fees, as going through a money transfer provider could be faster and cheaper. See our top recommended services for how to send money from France to the UK.
Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers
OFX (previously UKForex in the UK), provides secure and speedy international money transfers to over 300,000 people in 55 currencies at better-than-bank rates
Excellent exchange rates | No transfer fees | Thousands of 5 star reviews
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
Currency exchange specialists ranking No.1 on Trustpilot for the past two years
Introduced in 1999, the euro (EUR) is the national currency of several members of the European Economic and Monetary Union. A force to be reckoned with, the EUR is the second most traded currency in the world, with currency pairs like EUR to GBP amongst the most frequently traded.
Meanwhile the official currency of the UK remains the pound sterling, also used by several overseas territories and former colonies. It has one of the highest trading volumes of any single currency after the USD, the EUR, and the JPY.
Within the EU euro to sterling, the process of transferring euros to a UK bank account has never proved difficult. While Brexit has had huge impacts, thankfully transferring money from France to the UK is still a relatively simple process.
Thanks in part to their close geographic proximity, France and the UK have one of the most significant economic partnerships in Europe. This is proven by the fact that in 2021, France was the fifth-largest market for British exports, just behind the US, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland. According to Trading Economics figures from 2021, the UK had a total of $26.36bn in exports to France, with $30.65bn in total imports. As such, many customers are trying to find out how to transfer money from France to UK accounts.
With thousands of students, tourists, and ex-patriots living and residing in each other’s country, the cheapest way to transfer money from France to UK remains a relevant topic. When both countries were members of the EU, the best way to send money from France to UK was typically using a bank. In the wake of Brexit and with economic and political uncertainty still a reality for British residents, there are alternative options that can save you money. Namely, using a trusted money transfer provider.
Previously, if you were planning to transfer money from France to England, opening a UK bank account was the most cost-efficient method. In order to open an account in the UK, French nationals would typically need to show either proof of employment or income, proof of address, and a valid passport.
Popular banking choices for French expats are Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, and the Royal Bank of Scotland. It’s worth noting that having a valid, active bank account significantly speeds up money transfer from France to the UK, regardless of whether you opt to wire funds through a bank account or specialised Forex broker.
Great exchange rates | Specialist services | No added fees, 24/7 transfers | Safe and secure
Opening a bank account in the UK is the recommended way to access your funds if you plan to move to the UK for an extended period of time. Both countries have well-developed financial sectors with many financial institutions and money transfer specialists. In order to open an account in the UK, French natives will need to present proof of employment or income, address, and passport.
Despite Brexit complicating certain processes for people moving to the UK, French nationals shouldn’t find too much difficulty in opening a bank account in the UK if they come prepared with the correct documentation, and have proof of UK residence.
Not travelling alone? If you’re bringing a dog, cat or other small animal with you from France to the UK, there are mandatory requirements. It should have a microchip, a pet passport, a rabies vaccination, and you must be able to certify that dogs have had a tapeworm treatment.
Despite historically strong academic links, the UK's departure from the European Union has unfortunately made studying in the UK as a French national more difficult and considerably more expensive. Being aware of these costs well before applying can save a lot of stress.
French students will now be required to pay international fees, which can be as high as £38,000 per year. They will also need to apply for a student visa, which carries a £363 fee. In addition to these charges, the cost of living for each year of study can amount to up to £16,000 (depending on location of study and cost of accommodation).
Students will also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge to access healthcare from the UK's NHS during their studies, although they will receive a 25% student discount, reducing this to £470.
French nationals and those from member countries of the EU, including Switzerland, can visit the UK as a tourist without a visa for up to six months.
However, if they want to take up employment, study in the country, run a business or engage in other activities beyond a holiday, they will now need to get an appropriate visa. For clarification for which visa is required, use the UK government's checker.
Luckily for those who are planning to make the move, the UK and France signed a double taxation agreement in 2008, which means that expats from France do not have to pay taxes on the same income in both countries. However if you plan to move to the UK to spend a significant period of the year there, it would be wise to consult with tax professionals to ensure that all local tax requirements and deadlines are respected.
The income tax rate you would face depends on income you receive over the threshold of your Personal Allowance for the year. Within the UK, the tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April of the following year. The standard Personal Allowance for most UK residents is £12, 570 as of 2023, and non-residents will have to send a form to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in order to claim. Visit the government website to learn more.
To see your best options for transferring money from France to the UK, use our comparison tool.
Although the UK has a net trade deceit with Germany, France, and the Netherlands, they are the second, third, and fourth (respectively) most important destinations for UK exports out of the top 50 trading partners.
All companies displayed above are fully licensed to operate by relevant financial authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK or FinCEN in the US.
Transfer times will depend on where the money is coming from and its destination. Bank transfers typically take a few days, while debit and credit card payments will be significantly quicker.
Review the comparison results above and select a provider based on price, speed, and overall rating. Click the green button to open their website, where you will be prompted to create an account. Once fully verified, you can then make your first transfer.
Although bank transfers are the most common method, credit and debit card transfers are also popular. Use of digital wallets is also becoming increasingly common.
Exchange rates will fluctuate significantly over the trading day, which might affect what prices are displayed. Additionally, certain providers may offer their rates depending on the transfer method, or if you are a high volume customer. FXcompared may also have negotiated special rates with providers. Always check rates carefully before transferring.
We welcome all suggestions for improvements. Send us an email at support@fxcompared.com.
All the providers listed are regulated by the relevant authority (e.g. the FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US, ASIC in Australia) and have been vetted by FXcompared.
FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction. None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action resulting therefrom.
