Transfer guides by corridor
Send money abroad from the UK
Country-by-country guides to large international transfers — the process, the account details each destination needs, the timing, and where the real cost hides. Pick your corridor.
The short answer
For a large international transfer, the exchange rate matters far more than the transfer fee, and a specialist currency broker usually gives a better rate on big sums than a high-street bank. The mechanics change by destination — some countries use IBANs, others use routing or BSB numbers — but the deciding step is always the same: get live quotes from more than one provider for the same amount at the same time, and compare what actually arrives.
Europe
UK to France
GBP to EUR for a French property, second home or euro account. FR IBANs and the notaire process.
France to UK
EUR to GBP for repatriating a sale, a pension or savings back to sterling.
Spain to UK
EUR to GBP for a Spanish property sale or savings coming home. SWIFT, IBANs and timing.
North America
UK to USA
GBP to USD for a relocation, US property or dollar account. Why the US has no IBAN, and the 9-digit routing number.
USA to UK
USD to GBP for savings, an inheritance or US sale proceeds coming home to sterling.
Middle East
UK to UAE
GBP to AED for an expat move to Dubai, property or a dirham account. Plus the dirham’s dollar peg.
UAE to UK
AED to GBP for repatriating savings or an end-of-service gratuity when leaving the Emirates.
Oceania
UK to Australia
GBP to AUD for emigration, property or an Australian account. Why there is no IBAN, and the 6-digit BSB.
Australia to UK
AUD to GBP for an inheritance, property-sale proceeds or savings coming home to sterling.
What every corridor has in common
The account details differ by country, but the economics do not. On any large transfer there are two costs: a transfer fee, and the exchange rate margin — the gap between the interbank rate and the rate you are given. On a six-figure sum the margin dwarfs the fee, so a fraction of a percentage point on the rate is worth more than any “no fees” headline.
No UK currency broker publishes its margin, which is why comparing live quotes is the only way to see the real cost. To shortlist providers, see our comparison of UK currency brokers, read the individual broker reviews, or check how we rank brokers and the one figure no broker will disclose.
Compare brokers for your transfer
Seven FCA-authorised UK currency brokers, compared on regulation, fees, minimums and service. Then request live quotes from two or three.
Last updated 15 July 2026 · Compiled and checked by Charlie Hinwick, ACCA. Nothing on this page is a personal recommendation or regulated financial or tax guidance — for your own circumstances, speak to a suitably qualified professional. Exchange rates move, and past rates are not a guide to future rates.