Send Money from the UK to Poland

Sending money from the UK to Poland can be confusing, with many options and factors to consider. The overwhelming choice of money transfer services, along with varying fees, exchange rates, and speeds, can make it hard to know where to start.

Whether for family support, business transactions, or investments, you want a reliable and fast service that won’t cost you more than necessary.

In this article, I will help you understand the different money transfer options available so you can find the best way to send money from the UK to Poland.

What’s the Best Way to Send Money from the UK to Poland?

The best way to send money from the UK to Poland depends on how much you want to send and the urgency of the transfer.

TorFX is a cost-effective option for small transfers, as it charges no transfer fees and offers a favourable exchange rate, making it suitable for individuals or businesses looking to send smaller amounts to Poland without incurring significant costs.

Atlantic Money is an excellent choice for larger transfers due to its fixed fee of £3.00 and competitive exchange rate, helping you to get more Polish zloty for your pound. 

Remitly’s near-instant transfer speed makes it an attractive option for urgent or time-sensitive transfers. Alternatively, XE and Revolut offer relatively quick transfer times within one working day, ensuring that recipients in Poland receive funds promptly.

Online money transfer services are convenient and user-friendly, but those who prefer in-person transactions may find a bank transfer more suitable.

Bank transfers are a secure and reliable way to send money from the UK to popular Polish banks like Bank Pekao, mBank and Santander. However, they’re usually more expensive than online money transfer services and have a slower processing time of 3 to 5 working days.

TorFX is the cheapest way to send small amounts of money from the UK to Poland, offering fee transfers with an excellent exchange rate of 5.0111.

Currencies Direct and OFX also don’t charge transfer fees, but TorFX’s exchange rate is stronger, so you’d get more Polish zloty for your pound.

Some providers like Remitly offer discounted transfer fees and enhanced exchange rates for new customers, maximising the value of your GBP. 

However, Atlantic Money is the cheapest option for sending large amounts from the UK to Poland. 

Although Wise offers the best PLN exchange rate, its high transfer fees for large amounts counteract any potential gain. 

In contrast, Atlantic Money charges a smaller fixed fee of £3.00, helping to keep your costs low.

What’s the Fastest Way to Send Money from the UK to Poland?

Remitly is the fastest way to send money from the UK to Poland, with the recipient receiving money in just minutes if you pay by card.

XE and Revolut offer quick transfers, with funds typically received within 24 hours through XE and one working day through Revolut. This rapid transfer speed means that if you need to send money urgently, such as for emergencies or time-sensitive situations.

As you can see from the table, processing speeds vary widely between providers, with the average time for transfers to Poland through the providers I evaluated being two working days.

Can I Send Money from the UK to Poland Online?

You can send money from the UK to Poland online in a few ways.

1. Online Money Transfer Service: Providers like Wise and Remitly offer competitive exchange rates, low fees and fast transfer times. Although most providers accept large transfers, some providers, like Atlantic, limit the amount of zloty you can send to Poland. 
2. Bank Transfer: You can directly transfer to popular banks in Poland like Santander, PKO and mBank. Whilst secure and convenient, bank transfers are usually processed much slower than online money transfer services, making them unsuitable for emergencies. 
3. Digital Wallet: Platforms like PayPal are best for sending money quickly to friends and family in Poland. Digital wallets are only suitable for small transfers as they have a lower maximum transfer limit than other methods. 
4. Pre-paid Debit Card: Suitable for recipients who don’t have a Polish bank account, prepaid debit cards are fast and convenient but have limited acceptance than traditional debit or credit cards. 
5. Cryptocurrency: Websites like Coinbase and Binance allow you to buy cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum and send them to recipients in Poland with a compatible digital wallet. Whilst transfer fees are potentially lower, the value of cryptocurrency is highly volatile, leading to fluctuations in the amount the recipient receives.

Sending Large Amounts of Money from the UK to Poland

The best way to send large amounts of money from the UK to Poland is through an online money transfer service like Currencies Direct, OFX, TorFX or Revolut.

These services don’t have a maximum transfer limit, giving you greater flexibility to send larger amounts to Poland.

Some providers like Currencies Direct, OFX and TorFX also provide a dedicated account manager to guide you through the transfer process and additional regulatory compliance. 

Alternatively, bank transfers are a secure way to send money directly to the Polish business’s bank account. Although this method is reliable, processing times are significantly slower than online money transfer services, which may be an issue for time-sensitive payments.

When you send large amounts of money to Poland, pay attention to any transfer fees charged by the service provider. Some providers may offer lower fees for larger transfer amounts, while others may have scaled fees that can add up for large transfers.

Can I Set Up Regular Payments from the UK to Poland?

You can set up regular payments from the UK to Poland in several ways.

1. Online Money Transfer Services: Providers like Currencies Direct and OFX offer convenient and flexible scheduling options for recurring payments to Poland. However, some providers limit the amount you can send within 24 hours, 30 days and 180-day periods, which could be an issue for frequent large transfers. 
2. Standing Orders: You can instruct your UK bank to make regular payments of a fixed amount to the recipient’s account in Poland at set intervals. Whilst easy to set up and manage, this method isn’t suitable for transfers of variable amounts as it’s difficult to make adjustments once set up.
3. Direct Debits: Suitable for regular payments to Polish businesses, a direct debit is automatic and hands-free, ensuring payments are made on time without needing your invention. However, it requires authorisation from the recipient and could lead to unexpected withdrawals if not managed carefully. 
4. Digital Wallets: Quick and convenient, digital wallets like PayPal and Skrill are best used for sending small amounts to friends and family in Poland. Digital wallets usually have higher transfer fees and less favourable exchange rates, making them less cost-effective. 
5. Cryptocurrency: Platforms like Coinbase and Binance allow you to set up regular cryptocurrency payments with lower fees than traditional methods. Ideal for tech-savvy individuals, you and the recipient must have a compatible digital wallet and understand cryptocurrency processes.

Sending Money from the UK to Businesses in Poland

The best way to send money from the UK to businesses in Poland is through a reliable online money transfer service like TorFX or OFX. 

These services cater to international business transactions, with many providers offering features tailored to their needs, like bulk payments, multi-currency accounts and integration with accounting software.

Alternatively, you could arrange a direct bank-to-bank transfer to the business’s bank account in Poland through your UK bank. Whilst this method is suitable for large transfers, it typically has higher fees and longer processing times than specialised online transfer services.

Depending on your transfer provider, you may be asked to provide additional documents for anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulatory compliance. These documents may include a copy of your invoice and contract or evidence of the source of funds.

You may also need to provide the recipient’s 9 or 14-digit Rejestr Gospodarki Narodowej (REGON) number for VAT and tax purposes.

How to Send Money from the UK to Poland

There are several ways you can fund your transfer to Poland.

1. Bank Transfer: Secure and convenient, bank transfers are suitable for transferring large amounts of money but take longer to process than other payment methods. 
2. Credit Card: This method is helpful for urgent transfers to Poland or where your recipient needs to access funds quickly, as payments are processed almost instantly. Whilst convenient, credit cards incur higher fees and interest rates than paying for your transfer by debit card. 
3. Debit Card: Accepted by most money transfer providers, debit cards are suitable for transferring smaller amounts or making one-off payments to Poland, as they offer immediate access to available funds. However, your UK bank may impose a transaction limit, making it less suitable for large transfers.
4. Digital Wallet: Platforms like PayPal are ideal for online transfers and provide additional security features like buyer protection.  Although convenient, not all money transfer services accept digital wallet payments. 
5. Cash: This method is suitable for those who prefer in-person services or don’t have a bank account. Transfers are processed quickly, but accessing cash deposit locations may be inconvenient.  
6. Cheque: Ideal for large transactions, paying for your transfer by cheque provides a paper trail for accurate recordkeeping. However, cheques are rarely used for international transfers to Poland as they have longer processing times.

What Details Do I Need to Send Money from the UK to Poland?

To send money from the UK to Poland, you’ll usually need the following details:

• Recipient’s Contact Details: Including the recipient’s full name or registered business name as it appears on their bank account, as well as their address, phone number and e-mail address.
• Recipient’s Bank Details: If you’re sending money to a Polish bank account, you’ll need the recipient’s bank name, branch address, account number, 28-character IBAN and 8-11-character SWIFT/BIC code.
• Alternative Payment Details: For digital wallet or cryptocurrency transfers, you’ll need the e-mail address or mobile number associated with the recipient’s account. 
• Recipient’s Tax Identification Number: Depending on the purpose of your transfer and how much you send, you may be asked to provide the recipient’s tax identification number (TIN). For individuals, their TIN is the 11-digit Polish National Identification Number (PESEL) and the 10-digit Numer Identyfikacji Podatkowej (NIP). Businesses use the 9 or 14-digit Rejestr Gospodarki Narodowej (REGON).
• Additional Documents: Some providers may request further documentation, like proof of address or copies of valid government-issued ID, for verification checks and regulatory compliance.

How Much Does it Cost to Send Money from the UK to Poland?

When sending money from the UK to Poland through online money transfer services like Wise or bank transfers, there are usually a few types of fees to consider.

Transfer Fees

Your service provider may charge a fee to process the transfer from the UK to Poland.

Fees vary depending on the amount being sent and your provider but usually range between £0 and £5 for online money transfer services and £10 to £40 for bank transfers.

Exchange Rate Markup

You’ll often need to convert GBP into PLN when sending money internationally. 

Service providers may apply a markup to the exchange rate, which means you might get a rate different from what you see on Google or other financial websites. This markup represents an additional cost known as the currency exchange fee.

Online money transfer services typically have an exchange rate markup of 0.5% to 2% above the mid-market rate, whilst bank transfers have a markup of 2% to 4% above the mid-market rate.

Recipient Fees

In some cases, the recipient’s bank in Poland may charge a fee to receive the incoming funds. 

This fee is typically deducted from the transferred amount before it reaches the recipient’s account. 

Recipient fees vary depending on the bank and account type but usually range from £0 to £20 per transaction. 

Additional Charges

Your money transfer provider may charge additional fees for expedited transfers, cancellations or amendments. 

Faster transfers can cost around £5 to £20 through online money transfer services or £10 to £50 for banks.

How Long Does it Take to Send Money from the UK to Poland?

How long it takes to send money from the UK to Poland depends on your transfer method and provider.

Transfer through online money transfer services like TorFX typically takes 1 to 2 working days to send money from the UK to Poland. 

On the other hand, it may take slightly longer for the recipient to receive funds by a traditional bank transfer, usually 2 to 5 working days. This longer timeframe is because bank transfers often involve additional processing steps and may be subject to delays depending on the banks involved in the transfer process.

Other factors influencing the speed of sending money from the UK to Poland include the transfer method used to fund the transfer. For example, transfers funded by bank account may take longer to process than those funded by debit or credit card.

Larger transfer amounts may require additional scrutiny or verification, leading to longer processing times than smaller transfers.

Bank processing times are typically slower during weekends and holidays, which can delay the transfer. Transfers initiated during these times may be processed on the next business day.

The efficiency of the recipient’s bank in processing incoming international transfers can also impact the speed of the transfer. Some banks may process transfers more quickly than others.

Frequently Asked Questions