Who sends money from the UK to Poland
Common senders: NHS and care workers, students, and families supporting relatives.
About this corridor
Polish workers in the UK send less than in the years before 2020, but the corridor is still busy. Because both countries have fast domestic payment systems, digital providers can pay out locally and the main cost is the exchange-rate margin; high-street bank transfers are where most of the money is lost.
Worked example: sending 500 GBP
Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 GBP = 5.1775 PLN, our estimate model gives these results for sending 500 GBP:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 3.76 GBP | 2,569.30 PLN | 19.45 PLN |
| Revolut | 1.50 GBP | 2,568.08 PLN | 20.67 PLN |
| Remitly | 0.00 GBP | 2,557.68 PLN | 31.07 PLN |
| Western Union | 3.79 GBP | 2,517.76 PLN | 70.99 PLN |
| Bank wire (typical) | 15.15 GBP | 2,447.57 PLN | 141.18 PLN |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 121.72 PLN more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to Poland: what to know
- Payout options: Polish bank accounts (IBAN).
- Most digital providers pay out through Polish domestic payment systems, so money often arrives the same day.
- If the recipient has a multi-currency account, compare receiving pounds and converting in Poland against converting before sending.
Rules and limits
In the UK: Money transfer firms must be authorised or registered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); check the FCA Register. Payment institutions must safeguard customer funds.
In Poland: Payment institutions in Poland are supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from the UK to Poland?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much PLN each provider delivers for 500 GBP; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 500 GBP?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 121.72 PLN versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in Poland receive the money?
Common payout options are Polish bank accounts (IBAN). Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on