Money Transfer Guide
How to Send Money to Ukraine from the UK
The UK–Ukraine corridor has grown sharply since 2022, with many Ukrainians in the UK supporting family at home. Transfers can be sent to a Ukrainian bank account or card in hryvnia, though availability and limits vary by provider given the ongoing situation.
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 Ukrainian hryvnia to see what it is worth back home.
Convert your salary to Ukrainian hryvnia →How to send money to Ukraine: 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 Ukrainian hryvnia so you know what your money is worth in Ukraine.
- 2Compare the total received amount. Get a quote from two or three providers and compare how many UAH 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 Ukrainian hryvnia. 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 UAH 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 Ukrainian hryvnia to a Ukrainian 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 Ukraine
Payout in Ukraine is commonly to a bank card (Visa/Mastercard) or bank account in hryvnia. Card payout is often the fastest route. Check each provider for current coverage, limits and any temporary restrictions before sending.
Practical tips
- Send in GBP and let the provider convert — avoid letting the recipient's bank do it.
- Compare the received UAH 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.