Advanced: compare to quote from your bank ?

Top 3 Money Transfer Providers for UK to Finland

Provider Amount Received Fee Exchange Rate Speed
Smart Currency Exchange Smart Currency Exchange EUR €11,573.08 No Fee 1.1573 1-3 days more...
TorFX TorFX EUR €11,631.53 No Fee 1.1632 1-3 days more...
Currencies Direct Currencies Direct EUR €11,631.53 No Fee 1.1632 1-3 days more...
FXcompared Country Guides
UK
There are no exchange controls in the UK for the pound sterling (GBP), and transferring money to the UK and sending money from the UK is very easy Read More
Finland
Finland joined the European Union (EU) in January 1995 and was one of the founding members of the common currency eurozone Read More
 

Finland Money Transfer Guide

Daniel Webber
Daniel is Founder and CEO and has 20 years of experience in the international finance world focusing on cross-border payments, technology and the property sectors. Daniel is widely quoted as an expert within the money transfer industry including by The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNBC and Bloomberg. Daniel is passionate about helping consumers and businesses find the best and most efficient ways to transfer money internationally.

Contents

  • Summary
  • Finland's money transfer regulations
  • Currency union
  • Finland's economic background
  • Finland's Monetary and Regulatory Authority
  • Taxation
  • Currency
  • Summary

    Finland joined the European Union (EU) in January 1995 and was one of the founding members of the common currency eurozone. The monetary unit of the 19-country zone, the euro (EUR, €) is the second most frequently traded currency in the world, second only to the US dollar (USD, $). The country does not restrict incoming or outgoing international money transfers, and the euro is freely convertible to other currencies in line with eurozone policies.

    Finland's money transfer regulations

    As with all countries in the eurozone, Finland is required to comply with all EU directives regulating foreign investment, bilateral trade agreements, customs duties, agricultural agreements and other trade regulations, including those on overseas money transfers. Finland is open to foreign direct investment (FDI) and does not limit foreign acquisitions beyond standard domestic and EU competition rules. Credit is available to foreign investors under non-discriminatory policies, and the legal and accounting systems are transparent.

    However, Finland has in place specific legal measures aimed at preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Therefore, credit institutions (especially banks) are required to identify their customers and report suspicious transactions. Transactions exceeding €15,000 are required to be reported. In addition, individuals entering or leaving the European Community carrying over €10,000 in cash, or its equivalent in foreign currency, must declare this sum to customs authorities.

    Currency union

    Finland was one of the 11 original countries to adopt the euro in January 1999. For the next two years, both the Finnish markka and the euro were accepted as legal tender, although the euro was only used in electronic payments. After the transitional period, euro banknotes and coins entered into circulation as Finland’s official currency in January 2002. The National Bank of Finland (Finlands Bank) continued to exchange markka banknotes and coins until February 29, 2012.

    The EU has reduced barriers to the circulation of goods, people, and funds within the zone, which helps to encourage regional financial transfers and international payments within the EU. The eurozone has since expanded to include 19 member countries, with Lithuania the latest to join in January 2015.

    Finland's economic background

    A highly-industrialized country with a free-market economy and skilled labour force, Finland is firmly engaged in the global economy. Finland has historically been competitive in manufacturing, engineering, telecommunications and electronics. In the last few years, exports such as wood, mobile phones technology and gaming represented one-third of GDP. Finland closed 2013 with a GDP of US$267.3bn. In terms of imports, Finland primarily imports energy products, components for manufactured goods and raw materials.

    With highly skilled and well-educated labor force, with its financial markets and banking system, Finland had been one of the top performing economies in the EU. The global financial crisis, however, did affect Finland, slowing down exports and affecting government finances and the debt ratio. In response to the crisis, Finland quickly took measures to meet EU deficit targets and maintain its AAA credit rating.

    Finland's Monetary and Regulatory Authority

    The Bank of Finland acts as the country’s national central bank, although domestic policy has been set by the European Central Bank (ECB) since its entry into the eurozone. The Eurosystem is formed by the ECB, headquartered in Frankfurt, and by member countries’ central banks. The ECB works to maintain price stability, manage foreign exchange reserves and monitor the health of the overall financial system in the EU. The ECB has adopted a liberal monetary policy and allows the value of the euro to be set by free-market supply and demand forces. The Bank of Finland is responsible for participating in the ECB decision-making process and implementing policy decisions within Finland, including implementing regulations affecting overseas money transfers.

    Taxation

    Finland encourages foreign investment but, like many other countries in Europe, it has a relatively high tax burden that may deter some investment decisions. The movement of ownership of shares from a Finnish company to a foreign one is treated by Finnish tax authorities as taxable. The tax rate for resident corporations has been recently cut by the government from 24.5% to only 20%, while in EU the average corporate tax rate is of 22.4%.

    Resident individuals in Finland are required to pay tax on capital income, health insurance tax, municipal and church taxes. Non-resident individuals are also required to pay tax on capital income.

    Currency

    The Bank of Finland has the sole right to issue banknotes and coins in Finland, and it is responsible for cash distribution across the country. Finland’s monetary unit, the euro (EUR), consists of 100 cents. Euro banknotes are printed in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins are available in values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and €1 and €2. All euro currency from any country is accepted within the currency zone.

    Top 11 Money Transfer Providers

    TorFX

    Est. 2004

    Excellent exchange rates | No transfer fees | Thousands of 5 star reviews 

    FXcompared Rating
    More InfoLess Info

    OFX (UK)

    Est. 1998

    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

    More InfoLess Info

    Currencies Direct

    Est. 1996

    Great exchange rates | Specialist services | No added fees, 24/7 transfers | Safe and secure

    More InfoLess Info

    WorldFirst

    Est. 2004

    Transparency and security | Great customer feedback rating from Feefo

    More InfoLess Info

    Currency Solutions

    Est. 2003

    Currency exchange specialists ranking No.1 on Trustpilot for the past two years

    More InfoLess Info

    Corpay^

    Est. 2005

    Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers

    FXcompared Rating
    More InfoLess Info

    WorldRemit

    Est. 2009

    Use the code '3FREE' and pay no fees on your first three money transfers

    WorldRemit is an online service that lets people send money to friends and family living abroad, using a computer, smartphone or tablet.

    More InfoLess Info

    Wise

    Est. 2010

    Wise is an online only provider

    FXcompared Rating
    More InfoLess Info

    Remitly

    Est. 2011

    Remitly is a leading remittance focused player headquartered in the USA. Recipients can receive money by bank deposit, cash pick up, mobile money, or home delivery

    FXcompared Rating
    More InfoLess Info

    Smart Currency Exchange

    Est. 2004
    Smart is focused on helping clients to effectively and efficiently send and receive payments internationally
    More InfoLess Info

    Moneycorp

    Est. 1979

    One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds

    More InfoLess Info

    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.