How to transfer a large sum of money

Moving a significant amount of money, especially internationally, can often feel like a complicated task. Whether you're paying for an overseas property, settling an inheritance, or sending a large gift to family, ensuring the transfer is safe, fast, and cost-effective is important.

Some providers may complicate this with confusing transfer limit rules, opaque fees, and slow, manual authorisation processes.

However, we believe that it shouldn't be difficult to transfer a large amount of money. This detailed guide breaks down the rules for transferring large amounts of money between accounts in the UK and internationally, and shows you our fast, affordable solution for all your large payments.

Exchange and remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

Understanding what makes a transfer large

Before making a large payment, it's important to understand why a financial institution might flag your transaction and what that means for the process. The definition of a large payment usually falls into 2 categories: the limits set by your provider, and the thresholds monitored by legal bodies.

Bank transfer limits vs legal constraints

The most common problem you have when sending large money transfers in the UK is the daily limit set by the financial institution. This protects customers from immediate large-scale fraud, but it's an inconvenience for real payments.

For many high-street banks, the default daily online or app limit often sits between £10,000–50,000. Anything more than that needs to go through a different channel, like telephone banking or a dedicated system like CHAPS, which comes with a high fee.

The UK government doesn't have a set limit on how much money a person can send domestically or to other countries. However, official bodies like HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) monitor international money transfers to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-fraud regulations. This typically becomes more rigorous for amounts exceeding £10,000.

When you need to send a large payment

A transaction is considered high-value when it's unusually high compared to the sender's spending patterns, or if it crosses a regulatory threshold. These types of transactions are usually necessary for major life events and large financial commitments. For example:

• Property-related payments: money for a house deposit, a solicitor's final payment on a sale, or an overseas property purchase
• Education: sending a lump sum for university tuition fees, particularly for international schools
• Investments: moving capital for a major investment or settling a large trade invoice
• Gifting or inheritance: transferring a substantial financial gift or a large inherited sum

For these payments, time and cost are critical. Knowing how to transfer a large amount of money quickly and without unnecessary charges is important for hitting deadlines and making sure the full intended sum reaches the recipient.

The 3 pillars of a large international transfer

When a payment moves across borders, it becomes more complex. You need to think about security, speed, and cost. These factors can vary a lot depending on the provider and method you use.

Is it safe to send large amounts online?

Yes, if you use a regulated and trusted financial institution. Security for high-value payments relies on 2 main factors:

• Regulation: Established providers are typically authorised and regulated by national financial authorities. Revolut is a fully licensed UK bank — authorised and regulated by the PRA and FCA.
• Advanced fraud prevention: modern providers like us use advanced technology to protect your account. This includes strong encryption and two-factor authentication. We watch for unusual activity that could be the result of a scam.

Your greatest security measure is diligence. Always double-check the recipient's account details — including their name, account number, and any SWIFT/BIC or IBAN codes — before finalising a payment. A simple typo can send a large sum to the wrong place, making it very difficult to recover.

How long does a large amount transfer take?

The transfer time is one of the most unpredictable aspects of a high-value payment. The speed depends on the underlying payment network being used. For example:

• SWIFT network: most financial institutions use the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) network for international transfers. This involves money passing through a series of intermediary banks, which is why transfers often take 3–5 working days to arrive and why extra fees can be accrued along the way.
• Direct payment rails: modern providers like us avoid the slow SWIFT network where possible, using direct local payment infrastructure to send money more quickly. This means large international transfers may be completed instantly or on the same day.

For time-sensitive payments, such as a property completion deadline, an international transfer that's guaranteed to arrive within hours rather than days is a major advantage.

Cost: navigating fees and exchange rate markups

For large transfers, high costs don't only come from the upfront fee — they're also hidden in the exchange rate:

• Fixed transfer fees: many traditional providers charge a high, fixed transfer fee (often £15–£35) to send a large amount, especially internationally. This fee is often non-negotiable and is simply the cost of using their older SWIFT system.
• Exchange rate markups: most providers don't offer the real-time exchange rate (the rate banks use to trade with each other). Instead, they add a percentage margin to this rate and keep the difference as profit.

To make sure you're getting the best value when you transfer a large sum of money, always compare the exchange rates offered by your provider.

Exchange and transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply. FX rates may move before settlement.

Large international transfers may be delayed for AML checks. Proof of funds may be required. Intermediary banks may charge fees. Receiving banks may have cut-off times

Navigating traditional obstacles

The main reason customers turn to alternatives when sending a large amount is the friction they experience with their provider.

The hassle of exceeding your daily transfer limit

If the amount you need to send exceeds your personal daily limit, your provider typically forces you down one of several time-consuming paths:

• Waiting periods: you might be asked to wait 24 hours or more before your provider will temporarily increase your limit after you've passed security checks
• Phone calls: you're required to call a dedicated phone line, often during specific hours, to authorise the payment manually, which can involve lengthy security questions and queues
• In-branch visit: for the largest amounts, you may be required to visit a physical branch with photo ID to complete the transfer in person

All of these delays can add time and stress to what's already a high-stakes transaction.

What documents do I need to send large amounts of money?

When you start a big transfer, your provider must ask for information about where the money came from and where it's going. This is a crucial security step, but it must be handled efficiently.

You may be asked to provide documents to prove the legitimacy of your money. Examples include:

Our money transfer app lets you send these documents for quick processing entirely online. We follow the rules without making you wait.

Sending a large sum of money with Revolut

We combine necessary security checks with effective processing and clear costs.

How much money can you transfer online with us?

We offer high limits to cover most big payments, like property deposits, car purchases, and large invoices. We don't publish a single, fixed maximum limit because of regulatory requirements and real-time risk assessment, but our limits are generally high.

For any exceptional or very large transfer, our in-app customer support team is available to walk you through the process. You don't need to visit a branch and generally don't wait days for manual checks.

Better value with competitive fees and exchange rates

When you're sending a large sum of money, every fraction of a percentage point matters. Here's why doing it through us makes a difference:

• Transparent fees: we don't charge you a fixed, hefty fee just to move your money via CHAPS or an equivalent network. We also keep our fees clear, ensuring you know exactly what you're paying upfront.
• Competitive exchange rates: for international payments, we strive to offer competitive exchange rates, which can save you a substantial amount of money on large transfers. We show you the conversion rate and any associated fee upfront, providing full clarity before you confirm the transaction.

By providing clear pricing, we let you know you're getting a fair deal.

Secure transfers, instantly tracked

We use the fastest available payment rails for transfers wherever available:

• Instant domestic payments: for UK GBP transfers, we use Faster Payments so the money arrives right away, up to the maximum network limit.
• Fast international payments: where possible, we use direct payment systems rather than the slower SWIFT network. This means many international transfers are also instant or arrive within the same day.

You get real-time notifications when the money is sent and received. If you want the fastest and easiest way to send money, you can use our instant money transfer features.

Essential checks before you hit Send

Before you finalise any major transfer, especially one moving money out of the UK, it's important to double-check the details.

Common mistakes to avoid when transferring large amounts

Large transfers need more care, as fixing mistakes can be costly and take a long time. Here are the most common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Failing to verify recipient details: always check the full recipient name, account number, and IBAN/SWIFT code with the recipient via a separate, trusted communication channel before you confirm the payment.
• Not calculating the true cost: only looking at the fixed transfer fee is a mistake. You must factor in the full cost, including any markup applied to the exchange rate. We clearly display the different costs and exchange rates in-app before you hit Send.
• Ignoring documentation requests: if we ask for documentation related to your Source of Funds or Purpose of Payment, provide it immediately. Delays in providing this information will halt your transfer and cause unnecessary stress.
• Rushing due to pressure: never feel pressured to make or rush a large payment. This is a common red flag for fraud. Take your time, verify the details, and contact us if you have any doubts.

Tax considerations for large transfers from the UK

When sending or receiving a large sum of money, especially internationally, it's important to be aware that certain transactions may have tax implications in the UK or the country you're sending to.

You should understand that payments may be relevant to HMRC concerning:

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT): if the money comes from the sale of assets like property or investments
• Inheritance tax: if the money is received as a gift or an inheritance

For business payments, different tax rules may apply.

Revolut is not a tax adviser. You should seek independent professional advice for your specific tax situation. We strongly suggest talking to a UK tax expert or adviser to understand how your specific transaction may be treated. This will help you stay in line with all the rules.

Transferring a large sum with Revolut

Here's how to make a stress-free large transfer with us:

1. Open the app: log in using your existing details or, if you're a new customer, begin your signup by downloading the app.
2. Add money to your account: tap Add money on your home screen to transfer money instantly from your existing account to your Revolut account.
3. Go to the Payments section: on the bottom menu bar of the app, tap on the Payments icon.
4. Enter details: tap the + symbol in the top-right corner to add a new recipient. Enter the recipient’s details (including IBAN/SWIFT for international transfers) and tap Continue.
5. Enter the amount: input the exact amount you want to send. You'll be able to see the final cost, including the exchange rate and any fees.
6. Review and confirm: check all the details one final time — including the recipient's name, the account number, and the full amount. Tap Send to authorise the payment.
7. Security confirmation: for large transfers, you might be asked to complete a security check like a biometric scan (fingerprint or face ID), which happens instantly and allows the payment to be processed.

The information provided is accurate as of 07 May 2026.