International money transfers for expats in the UK
Whether you're sending money home, moving funds during relocation or receiving income from abroad, specialist transfer services beat bank rates significantly. Compare fees, exchange rates and transfer speeds to find the right service for your needs.
Browse providers ↓Money transfer services for expats & new arrivals
Every provider below has been reviewed by our editorial team before listing.
4 providers listed
Widely regarded as the best overall international transfer service for expats. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees from 0.41%, sending to 160+ countries. The multi-currency account lets you hold and convert 40+ currencies, making it ideal for ongoing cross-border financial management.
The top choice for sending money to family in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Remitly serves 170+ countries with express delivery options (often within minutes) and a broad network of cash pickup locations. Ideal for expats regularly sending funds home to countries with limited banking infrastructure.
One of the world's largest currency transfer services, XE is particularly strong for larger transfers — including property purchases and pension transfers. Covers 100+ currencies across 190 countries with real-time rate alerts, and offers same-day delivery on many major routes including the UK to Europe, the US and Australia.
FCA-regulated and headquartered in London, WorldRemit is a strong option for transfers to Africa and Asia, with 144 payout partners across 130 countries. Unique features include mobile airtime top-ups — useful if you need to top up a phone for a family member abroad — alongside standard bank deposits and cash pickup.
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How to choose an international money transfer service
Banks are typically the most expensive way to send money internationally, often adding a 3–5% markup to the exchange rate on top of fixed transfer fees. Specialist transfer services exist for precisely this reason — and the savings on a large transfer can be substantial.
The most important factor is the exchange rate. Always compare the rate you are actually offered against the mid-market rate (the rate shown on Google or XE's currency converter). A service advertising "no fees" may still make money through a rate markup. Wise charges transparent fees but always uses the mid-market rate, making it easy to see exactly what a transfer will cost.
For smaller regular remittances — sending money back to family each month — Remitly is often the most convenient, with broad reach, flexible delivery options including cash pickup, and express delivery that can complete within minutes. WorldRemit is a strong alternative for transfers to Africa, where its payout partner network is particularly extensive.
For large transfers such as moving relocation funds or purchasing property, XE's coverage and competitive rates on major currency corridors make it well worth comparing. Always check the exact cost for your specific amount, currency pair and destination before committing — rates vary by route.
Money transfer FAQs for expats
Traditional banks mark up the exchange rate significantly — typically 3–5% above the mid-market rate — in addition to charging a fixed transfer fee. Specialist services like Wise use the real mid-market rate and charge only a small transparent fee from 0.41%, meaning a £10,000 transfer could save you £300–£500 compared to a high-street bank.
Transfer times vary by provider, destination and payment method. Wise and Remitly both offer same-day or instant delivery on many routes. Remitly's Express option can deliver within minutes. XE typically takes 1–4 business days depending on the corridor. Bank transfers at traditional banks can take 3–5 business days and sometimes longer.
Yes. All four providers listed here — Wise, Remitly, XE and WorldRemit — are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK as payment or e-money institutions. They are required to safeguard customer funds separately from their own business funds, providing protection even if the company were to fail.
Yes — Remitly and WorldRemit both offer cash pickup at agent locations in their destination countries. This is particularly important for transfers to countries where banking access is limited. Remitly has an extensive network of approximately 470,000 cash pickup locations globally. WorldRemit also supports mobile money deposits to services like M-Pesa.
It can do, depending on your residency status and the nature of the funds. If you are a UK resident receiving overseas income, it may be subject to UK tax. The remittance basis of taxation applies in some circumstances for non-UK domiciled residents. Always consult a qualified tax adviser or accountant before making large international transfers if you are unsure of the tax implications.
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