Money Transfer Guide
How to Send Money to Romania from the UK
Romanians are among the largest EU-origin communities in the UK, and remittances to Romania are a meaningful part of many household budgets back home. Transfers to a Romanian bank account in lei are typically quick and low-cost through specialist providers.
Start with what you actually earn
Before deciding how much to send, work out your real UK take-home pay — your salary after Income Tax, National Insurance and pension. Then convert that figure to Romanian leu to see what it is worth back home.
Convert your salary to Romanian leu →How to send money to Romania: step by step
- 1Work out how much to send. Calculate your UK take-home pay after Income Tax, National Insurance and pension, then convert it to Romanian leu so you know what your money is worth in Romania.
- 2Compare the total received amount. Get a quote from two or three providers and compare how many RON the recipient actually receives — this captures both the upfront fee and the hidden exchange-rate margin, not just the headline fee.
- 3Choose a provider. Specialist providers such as Wise, Revolut or Remitly usually convert closer to the mid-market rate than high-street banks. Check the provider is FCA-authorised on the FCA register before sending.
- 4Send in GBP. Pay in GBP and let the provider convert to Romanian leu. Letting the recipient's bank do the conversion usually gives a worse rate plus possible receiving fees.
- 5Confirm the quote and track the transfer. Rates move constantly, so a quote is only valid at the moment you confirm. Lock it in, keep the reference number, and allow for weekend or bank-holiday delays.
What actually determines the cost
A transfer costs you in two places, and the second is the one people miss:
- The upfront fee — a flat or percentage charge shown at checkout.
- The exchange-rate margin— the gap between the rate you are given and the mid-market rate. A “zero fee” transfer with a 3% rate margin is more expensive than a small fee at the mid-market rate.
Always compare the bottom line: how many RON the recipient actually receives for your GBP. That single number captures both the fee and the margin.
Banks vs specialist providers
High-street banks are convenient but typically apply the widest exchange-rate margins and can add SWIFT fees. Specialist providers — for example Wise, Revolut and Remitly — generally convert much closer to the mid-market rate with a clearer fee, and many pay out directly in Romanian leu to a Romanian bank account or card.
We don't earn commission on the providers named above and don't rank them — always compare the live total for your amount on the day you send.
How the money reaches Romania
Romanian banks receive transfers via SEPA-style and local payments; recipients need their IBAN (Romanian IBANs start with RO). Many providers offer leu (RON) payout directly, avoiding a second conversion at the recipient bank.
Practical tips
- Send in GBP and let the provider convert — avoid letting the recipient's bank do it.
- Compare the received RON amount across two or three providers before sending.
- Larger, less frequent transfers spread fixed fees over more money than many small ones.
- Check the provider is FCA-authorised and watch for weekend/bank-holiday delays.
- Rates move daily — a quote is only valid at the moment you confirm.