Description

Charges from Ireland to UK for friends payments

**Title: Cutting Costs: How to Avoid High Fees When Sending Money from Ireland to the UK**

Dealing with international payments between friends or family can be a hassle—especially when unexpected fees and unfavorable exchange rates hit your wallet. One of our readers, based in Ireland, highlighted a common frustration: **paying €1.99 per transaction plus inflated conversion rates when sending money to the UK**, while the reverse (UK to Ireland) is cheaper. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Let’s break down why this happens and how to tackle it.

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### **Why Are Costs Higher When Sending from Ireland to the UK?**
The issue stems from two factors:
1. **Exchange Rate Markups**: Banks and payment providers often use exchange rates that favor them, inflating the cost of converting euros to pounds.
2. **Fees for Cross-Border Transactions**: Traditional banks and some apps charge extra for international transfers, making small payments (even €20 or €30) feel more expensive.

The catch? **Direction matters.** If the UK-based recipient sends money *back* to Ireland, providers might apply a better rate due to regional policies or competition.

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### **Solutions to Reduce or Eliminate Costs**

#### 1. **Switch to a No-Fee, Borderless Payment Service**
Most banks and traditional transfer services aren’t the best for small, frequent payments. Instead, opt for **specialist platforms** that cut fees and markups:
– **Wise (formerly TransferWise)**: Offers mid-market rates (the real, unbiased rate) and low fees. Often free for small transactions if you use a linked UK debit card.
– **Revolut**: Allows EUR/GBP transfers within its app for free between Revolut users.
– **Paysera** or **TransferZero**: Compete on transparency and low margins.

**Example**: A €50 transfer via Wise would cost **0% fees** (depending on the route) and use real exchange rates, saving €1.99 and avoiding inflated currency charges.

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#### 2. **Reverse the Transaction Direction**
Since sending money the *other way* (UK to Ireland) may cost less for your friends, consider splitting costs:
– Agree to have the UK recipient initiate payments where fees/conversion rates are better.
– For example: Split a monthly bill equally and reverse the flow to save on fees.

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#### 3. **Use Cashback Cards or Digital Wallets**
If the UK recipients accept electronic payments, tools like **Monzo** or **Starling Bank** debit cards let you withdraw GBP cash (or spend online) with lower transaction fees when linked to an Irish account.

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#### 4. **Check for Partnerships or “Friendly Transfer” Options**
Some services offer fee reductions for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions if both parties are customers. For instance:
– **Zelle or Trustly**: These platforms often have no fees for transfers between accounts in specific regions.

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#### 5. **Deduct Charges from the Total Amount**
Negotiate with your UK friend to include the fees and markup in the transfer total. For example, send €50 but ask them to pay for the additional €1.99 (so you end up effectively sending €48, and they receive £49).90 instead of £47.90). A bit clunky but fairer!

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#### 6. **Avoid Using Your Bank for Small Payments**
Banks often prioritize large corporate clients, so their transfer fees (€1.99 might be standard) and poor exchange rates are non-negotiable unless you have a premium account.

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### **Key Points to Remember**
– **Currency Conversion is Key**: Always check the “mid-market rate” (available via Google orXE.com) to see if your provider’s rate is fair.
– **Fees + Spread = Hidden Costs**: A 1% “exchange rate markup” on €100 costs you €1—not cheaper than a flat €1.99? Crunch the numbers.
– **Flexibility**: Let your friend try one of these alternatives if neither of you has a preferred service yet.

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### **Final Tips**
– **Automate Transfers**: Set up recurring payments via Wise or Revolut to lock in good rates.
– **Group Transfers**: Pool payments into a monthly lump sum to avoid repeated fees.
– **Compare Fees Regularly**: Providers update rates—check platforms like TransferGo or CurrencyFair for alternatives.

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### **Conclusion**
There’s no need to let hefty fees eat into your friendship fund! By choosing the right platform, negotiating transaction direction, or using modern apps, you can slash those €1.99 fees and get a fair exchange rate. Happy to hear more? Share your tips in the comments—we can crowdsource the best strategy!

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**Tags**: #InternationalPayments #IrelandToUK #FeeFighter #MonetaryHacks

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*Let us know which service you’ve used successfully—your story could help others!* 💸🌍

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This post should arm our community with actionable steps to reclaim their euros—no geographical boundaries included!

*Looking to dive deeper? Explore [best practices for cross-border payments](https://example.com/guides).)*

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*The views expressed here are for informational purposes only. Always verify terms with your provider.*

*— Let’s keep money transfers friendly and wallet-friendly!* 🇮🇪🇬🇧