Best UK banks for sending money abroad: 2026 comparison

Financial basics · 4 March 2026Lydia Makin

Using a high-street bank for international transfers? It might feel familiar, but it’s rarely the quickest or best-value option. We’ve compared popular UK banks for sending money abroad, so you can choose what works for you — or see how an alternative like Revolut might help you save more.

Want to get more from your money? Explore our guide to the cheapest way to send money internationally.

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Understanding international bank transfer fees in the UK

When you choose to send money from a UK bank to another country, the total cost is rarely a single number. Banks often divide their charges into 3 distinct categories, and understanding them helps you identify which bank has the lowest rates for international transfers.

Transfer fees and service charges

This is the upfront cost the bank charges to process your request. For many high-street banks, this fee depends on whether you're sending euros to Europe, or a different currency elsewhere. While some banks offer zero fees for online transfers, others could charge a flat rate of up to £25 per transaction..

Exchange rate markups

The exchange rate you see on Google or news sites is the mid-market rate. Most traditional banks don't use this rate for customers' transfers. Instead, they apply a markup, which is the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate they give you. This markup is often where the largest portion of your money is lost. For example, a 3% markup on a £10,000 transfer means you'll pay £300 just to send the money.

Correspondent bank fees

Traditional banks often use the SWIFT network to move money globally. This network involves several intermediary banks. Each of these banks may take a cut of the money as it passes through their system. You might send £1,000, but your recipient will receive less because of these hidden fees along its journey.

Popular options for sending money abroad

The table below compares the standard fees and estimated exchange rate markups for international payments with the most popular UK banks.¹

Provider	Online transfer fee	Estimated exchange rate markup
Revolut	Free euro transfers within the SEPA zone and to other Revolut customers globally, money transfers outside SEPA may incur fees (exchange and fair usage fees apply to transfers initiated in other currencies)	Revolut exchange rate up to your plan’s limit during weekdays (the Revolut exchange rate includes a markup, and weekend fees may apply)
Barclays	None to send euros within the EEA, and £4–12 for other international transfers, a £3 cover charge may apply if you send USD to countries other than the US	The conversion charge won't be more than 2.75% for personal and Premier customers
Monzo	Varies based on the currency and destination, but includes a fixed amount (maximum £9) and a variable amount of up to 1.8%	Usually the mid-market rate
HSBC Global Money account	No HSBC transfer fee for sending money internationally	HSBC Global Money exchange rate (includes a foreign currency conversion margin)
Lloyds Bank	None to send euros, £9.50 for other foreign currencies	The exchange rate includes a margin which may change based on how much you send
Halifax	None to send euros, £9.50 for other currencies	The exchange rate includes a margin which may change based on how much you send
NatWest	None for standard online euro transfers within the EEA, potential £10 agent charge for transfers outside the UK and EEA	Varies by currency
Santander	None for non-urgent SEPA payments, £25 for other electronic foreign transfers	Includes a markup
Starling Bank	From 30p for payments on local networks, £5.50 for payments via SWIFT	Applies a conversion fee for international payments

¹Data based on publicly available fee schedules as of 29 May 2026. Exchange rates fluctuate and markups are estimated based on average bank margins.

Transfer limits for international payments

If you need to send a large amount of money, such as for a property purchase or a business investment, you should be aware of transaction limits. Each bank sets its own daily or per-transaction caps for security and compliance reasons. Let's break it down:

Provider	Maximum daily online transfer limit
Revolut	No daily limit, but €100,000 max per SEPA transfer (limits vary by currency)²
Barclays	From £50,000 on a Personal Current account to £100,000 on a Premier account
Monzo	Limits vary by customer
HSBC	£50,000
Lloyds	£25,000
Halifax	£25,000
NatWest	£20,000 for personal and £50,000 for Premier customers
Santander	£1,000,000
Starling	Check with Starling

²Fair usage fees apply to currency exchange, depending on your plan’s limits.

Transfer a large sum

How long an international bank transfer takes

The speed of your transfer depends on the destination country, the currency, and the payment network used. Most traditional banks rely on the SWIFT network, which is secure, but not always fast. Let's compare SWIFT transfers with local SEPA transfers:

SEPA transfers (sending euros within Europe): these are the fastest for traditional banks, usually arriving within 2 business days.
SWIFT transfers (sending anywhere else in the world): these typically take 3–5 business days. Factors like time zones and local bank holidays in the receiving country can extend your wait time.

If you're sending money to a bank account abroad, always check the estimated arrival time provided by your bank before you confirm.

Provider	Are instant international transfers available?	Time it takes to send an international transfer (EEA, North America)
Revolut	Yes	Usually 2 business days, but it can take up to 5 days in some cases.
Barclays	No	Same-day payment
Monzo	Yes (many arrive instantly)	In most cases, up to 2 or 3 business days
HSBC	Yes, but only between HSBC accounts	Payments outside the EEA may take up to 4 business days or more, while payments within the EEA may take up to 1 business day
Lloyds	No	For most currencies, not more than 4 business days
Halifax	No	For most currencies, not more than 4 business days
NatWest	No	Up to 4 business days
Santander	No	Up to 4 business days
Starling	No	Up to 3 working days

If you're moving large amounts, we offer a dedicated service to help you get it done efficiently. Learn more about transferring large amounts of money with Revolut.

Why choose Revolut for international money transfers?

Moving money across borders should be as simple as sending a text. We aim to provide more value, better speed, and total clarity on what you're paying for. Here's what you get when you choose to use Revolut:

Instant Revolut-to-Revolut payments

The fastest way to send money is to another Revolut customer. This method is usually instant, regardless of the recipient's location. Whether you're sending money to a friend in Spain or a family member in Australia, the money arrives in seconds. You can send money to anyone in our network across 200 countries and territories for free.

Fair usage limits and exchange fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Clarity on costs and rates

We're upfront about our fees. Before you tap Send, we show you the current exchange rate, any applicable transfer fees, and the exact amount your recipient will receive.

For currency exchange, we use the Revolut exchange rate. On weekdays, our Standard customers can exchange up to £1,000 per month without incurring a fair usage fee. On weekends, a small mark-up applies to protect against market volatility while the markets are closed. If you send money often, check out our paid plans. They offer higher limits and even better value.

Send money to bank accounts worldwide

If your recipient isn't with Revolut, you can still send money to a bank account abroad without delays. We connect with local systems like the Faster Payments Service in the UK, and SEPA Instant in Europe. This allows us to bypass the slower SWIFT network whenever possible, getting your money to its destination in minutes or hours, rather than days.

Send money with Revolut

How to sign up for Revolut and start sending money

If you're ready to switch from traditional bank transfers to a faster, more modern experience, you can get started in just a few minutes. Here's how:

Download the Revolut app: visit the App Store or Google Play to download our app to your smartphone.
Enter your details: follow the prompts to provide your name, address, and mobile number.
Verify your identity: you'll need to take a photo of your ID, such as a passport or driving licence, and a quick selfie. This helps us keep our community safe and complies with financial regulations.
Add money to your account: you can add money to your new account via a debit card or by a transfer from your bank account.
Start your transfer: navigate to the Payments tab, select the + symbol in the top-right corner, and choose your recipient. Enter the amount and currency, review the details, and tap Send.

Ready to experience a better way to manage your global finances? Explore our international transfer options today.

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Sources

Sources last checked on 29 May 2026.

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 29 May 2026.

You should visit their websites for confirmation of their most updated costs and charges.

Please note that actual charges and services offered may change and vary depending on individual circumstances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting each provider’s official website.

This article and the information provided herein are not intended to constitute legal, regulatory advice.

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