Please note: You should always refer to quotes you receive from transfer services themselves directly for exact amounts as they may vary from our estimates.
Looking for the best way to send money from the United Kingdom to family, friends or businesses in the Philippines (or even to your own overseas bank account)?
Don't head straight to your British bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better PHP exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of pounds you send, your recipient will receive more Philippine pesos.
Of the companies we've compared, CurrencyFair is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from €3. Need a really fast transfer? CurrencyFair can get money to your recipient in the Philippines within minutes.
Best ways to send money to the Philippines from the UK
The best way to send money to the Philippines depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.- Online money transfer provider. When buying pounds or Philippine pesos , money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
- Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to the Philippines, but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. UK banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to the Philippines
Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to the Philippines. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to the Philippines.Cheapest way to send money to the Philippines
Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to the Philippines. CurrencyFair and have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.
When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to the Philippines, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:
- Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your British bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
- Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market GBP/PHP exchange rate.
Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Philippine pesos your recipient will end up with.
Fastest way to send money to the Philippines
Many online providers can offer transfers to the Philippines within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.
Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to the Philippines:- CurrencyFair — within minutes
Actual transfer times from the United Kingdom to the Philippines can depend on several several factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.
Safest way to send money to the Philippines
The safest way to get your money to the Philippines is to use a provider registered with the United Kingdom's industry regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). All the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both the United Kingdom and the Philippines.
A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.
Large money transfers to the Philippines
If you need to make a sizable money transfer to the Philippines, consider using a provider such as Wise (TransferWise) or OFX to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.
Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:- Tax guidance. Large transfers to the Philippines may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on the HMRC's latest advice.
- Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the PHP exchange rate you want.
- Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
- Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Wise (TransferWise) and OFX can give you support over the phone.
How to send money to the Philippines from the UK
To send money to the Philippines, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.
- Compare your options.
Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to the Philippines. One may be better for cash pickups, while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site". - Create an account.
You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment. - Provide your recipient's details.
Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Filipino bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address. - Enter your transfer amount.
Make sure you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total Philippine pesos your recipient gets. - Complete your transfer.
Send your money transfer to the Philippines. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it, too.
Example: Maria sends money to the Philippines
Maria is working in the United Kingdom as a doctor and she regularly contacts his elderly parents back home in the Philippines. Her parents need some funds to help pay off a mortgage, so Maria plans to send them \u00a32,000 from the United Kingdom.
She decides to compare a bank and a money transfer specialist to see which one can save the most money on her transaction.
Bank | Money transfer company | |
---|---|---|
Exchange rate | 1 GBP = 73.49 PHP | 1 GBP = 74.47 PHP |
Transfer fee | \u00a310 | \u00a32.50 |
Transfer method | Bank account deposit | Bank account deposit |
Processing time | 2 - 5 working days | Next day |
Amount received | 146,252.98 PHP | 148,747.62 PHP |
The money transfer company enables Maria to send an extra \u20b12,494.64, which is transferred straight to her parents' BDO Unibank Inc. account.
How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to the Philippines
When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from the United Kingdom to the Philippines, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:
- Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the PHP you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
- Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to the Philippines for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
- Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Filipino bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type has different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers .
- Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Some companies offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to the Philippines faster and cheaper than banks.
- Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, CurrencyFair allows transfers up to £10,000,000.
- Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of Philippine pesos.
Frequently asked questions
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