Are you trying to send money to France but feeling overwhelmed by the many options beyond your bank? With varying fees, exchange rates, and transfer speeds, it can be difficult to know where to start. But the good news is, with the right service, transferring money can be as seamless as a quick weekend trip across the Channel.
In this guide, we break down the top 5 services for sending money to France, helping you make transfers as easy and stress-free as possible.
Before we get started: All information mentioned in this article are accurate as of January 8th, 2025. Please note that pricing and terms may vary over time.
5 Best Services to Send Money to France from the UK
While bank transfers are a common choice for sending money abroad, there are alternative money transfer services that can simplify the process, offering competitive transfer costs and speed and specialised features to suit different needs.
Here are our picks for the best ways to send money to France
- Best for Speed & Convenience: Revolut
- Best for Low Costs: Wise
- Best for Sending Cash: Western Union
- Best for Business Transfers: OFX
- Best for High Volume Transfers: Currencies Direct
1. Revolut
Revolut is a British fintech company offering a range of financial services, including international money transfers, multi-currency accounts, and payment solutions. Known for its user-friendly mobile app, Revolut provides competitive exchange rates and fee-free transfers within certain limits, making it a convenient option for both individuals and businesses.
Key Information:
- Transfer Speed to France: Typically within seconds.
- Transfer Fees to France: Variable fees depending on the amount and account plan.
- Transfer Fees for GBP 1,000: Free
- Transfer Options: Bank transfers, Revolut-to-Revolut transfers, payment links, and group bills.
How to Send Money With Revolut
To send money to France using Revolut, simply follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Revolut account on the mobile app
- Top up your account using a bank transfer, card, or other available options
- Choose your transfer method, select France as your destination, and enter your transfer amount in GBP or another preferred currency.
- Add your recipient's details, such as their IBAN, BIC/SWIFT code, and currency (e.g., EUR or another supported option for transfers)
- Tap send
Pros and Cons of Revolut
2. Wise
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a global technology company that specialises in simplifying international money transfers for individuals and businesses. Its platform supports a wide range of currencies and offers features such as multi-currency accounts with local bank details in multiple countries and tools to manage international payments seamlessly.
Key Information:
- Transfer Speed to France: Typically within 10 hours (British pound to euro transfers).
- Transfer Fees to France: Depends on the amount and payment method.
- Transfer Fees for GBP 1,000: GBP 3.88 via bank transfers.
- Transfer Options: Bank transfers, debit cards, credit cards, SWIFT transfers, and direct transfers from a Wise account.
How to Send Money With Wise
You’ll first need to sign up for a free account with Wise. Once your account is verified, follow these steps:
- From the Home screen, go to Send
- Choose or add a recipient
- Select their currency and provide any additional details as requested
- Enter how much you’d like to transfer or how much you’d like the recipient to receive
- Choose your payment method
- Review the information, click Continue, and then select Send
Pros and Cons of Wise
3. Western Union
As one of the most established money transfer services with global operations, Western Union offers various ways to send money from the UK to France, including cash pickup. It is particularly well-suited for those who need to send cash quickly and securely.
Key Information:
- Transfer Speed to France: Generally the same banking day for bank transfers and within minutes for cash pickups.
- Transfer Fees to France: Depends on the amount and transfer method, but are generally free.
- Transfer Fees for GBP 1,000: GBP 0
- Transfer Options: Bank transfers, credit or debit cards, Google Pay, or cash at a Western Union store. Recipients can choose to receive funds via cash pickup, debit card, or directly to their bank account.
How to Send Money With Western Union
Follow these steps to transfer or send money to France using Western Union:
- Log in or register for a free profile
- Fill out the details, including the amount you want to send, the destination, the receiving option, and your payment method.
- Enter the recipient’s banking details or provide their name and address to send funds for cash pickup at an agent location.
- Pay the amount, review the details, and send
After the money is sent, Western Union provides confirmation details and a tracking number (MTCN) so you can easily track your transfer.
Pros and Cons of Western Union
4. OFX
OFX is a suitable option if you’re transferring money for business purposes. Specialising in foreign exchange (FX), OFX provides competitive rates and supports transfers to major banks in France, such as BNP Paribas and Société Générale.[4] With 24/7 customer support and real-time updates, it ensures reliable and transparent services.
Key Information:
- Transfer Speed to France: Transfer times may depend on the amount and the banks involved.
- Transfer Fees to France: Typically free but may include an exchange rate margin based on the currency and transaction amount.
- Fees for Transferring GBP 1,000: Not specified on the website.
- Transfer Options: Primarily bank-to-bank transfers.
How to Send Money With OFX
You’ll have to register for an OFX account to access its money transfer services and get a live quote. Once you have the account, log in, then follow these steps:
- Enter your details
- Enter the banking information of your recipient, including the name on the account and bank details
- Pay the amount, and OFX will send the money to your recipient
Pros and Cons of OFX
5. Currencies Direct
Headquartered in London, Currencies Direct is an established global money transfer service with offices in the UK, Spain, France, Portugal, the USA, South Africa, and India. It offers services suitable for large transfers, making it a reliable choice for sending substantial sums, such as tuition fees or purchasing property abroad.
Key Information:
- Transfer Speed to France: Depends on when Currencies Direct receive your funds. Large transfers to Europe can be same-day if funds are on the account, or 24–48 hours otherwise.
- Transfer Fees to France: No transfer fee, but the exchange rate includes a small margin added to the wholesale rate
- Fees for Transferring GBP 1,000: Not specified on the website.
- Transfer Options: Bank transfer or debit card.
How to Send Money With Currencies Direct
To make a high-volume transfer with Currencies Direct, you’ll need to:
- Create an account online, through the mobile app, or over the phone.
- Call their team to arrange the transfer and secure the best possible exchange rate.
- Send the money to Currencies Direct via bank transfer, debit card, or wallet balance once the rate is agreed upon.
Pros and Cons of Currencies Direct
What Do You Need to Send Money to France?
When sending money to a recipient in France, you’ll typically need the following:
- Recipient’s Details: Provide the recipient’s full name and bank account information. For transfers to France, you’ll need the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC/SWIFT code. The IBAN is a unique identifier that includes the country code (FR for France), the bank code, the branch code, and the account number. The BIC/SWIFT code identifies the recipient’s bank for international transfers, ensuring the money reaches the correct institution.
- Your Details: Be prepared to provide personal identification, such as a passport, driver’s licence, or proof of address, depending on the provider’s requirements for compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
- Amount to Transfer: Specify the amount you wish to send and whether you want to lock in the exchange rate at the time of booking.
- Reason for the Transfer: Some banks or providers may ask for the purpose of the transfer, especially for large amounts or frequent transactions. Common reasons include paying tuition fees, purchasing property, supporting family members, or settling business payments. This is often required to comply with financial regulations and prevent fraud or money laundering.
How to Choose the Right Provider for Sending Money to France
When choosing a service provider for making cross-border transfers, this includes any other countries apart from France, consider these factors to ensure you pick the right one:
- Fees and Exchange Rates: Compare transfer fees and exchange rate margins. Some providers offer no fees but apply higher margins to the exchange rate, while others provide more competitive rates with small, transparent fees.
- Transfer Speed: Determine how quickly you need the money delivered.
- Transfer Limits: Check the minimum and maximum transfer amounts. Some service providers are ideal for large transactions, while others may better suit smaller, frequent transfers.
- Payment and Receiving Options: Consider how you fund the transfer (bank transfer, card, or e-wallet) and how the recipient receives it (bank deposit, cash pickup, etc.).
- Customer Support: If you’re sending large sums or need assistance, providers with 24/7 customer service can offer added peace of mind.
- Security and Regulation: Ensure the provider is licensed and regulated by authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.
Bottom Line
Choosing the best service to send money to France from the UK depends on your specific needs, such as speed, cost, and transfer amount. While the 5 services listed in this article are excellent options, they’re not the only ones available. Take the time to compare providers and select the one that best suits your requirements for a seamless and cost-effective experience.
If you plan to make recurring or frequent payments, consider opening a multi-currency account to streamline and optimise your transfers, reduce fees, and manage exchange rates more efficiently.
