Charges for sending money internationally?

Question

I need a cheap way to send money from the UK to Holland on a monthly basis. Are there any banks that don't charge huge amounts to do this? So far Paypal is the cheapest way but there are still charges and is not very "official".

Answer 1

Get the Dutch recipient to open an account with the same bank as you. Get the application forms from your bank, and send them over for signature. It only takes a small deposit to open the account. Then they get a cash card. They can then, at a small charge, withdraw the cash in Holland from most cash machines. It works out cheaper than Western Union or most other methods.

Answer 2

I think the previous two solutions relating to opening a UK bank account are the best. Just to add that, I would recommend Nationwide Building Society, as their cards are FREE to take out currency abroad.

Answer 3

I used to work for Western Union, and I think this is the easiest way! Although - it's not the cheapest!!! If I was sending money to my family from a different country, I would send it by chaps payment - via my bank account.Its fast, reliable and very convenient. And more importantly, any bank can do this to any other bank! Its just between accounts

Answer 4

One trick I've heard is to open a UK Bank Account with Debit** (NOT CREDIT) Card with a Bank/Building Society that allows cheap withdrawals abroad ..
.. and then send the Debit Card & PIN Number to who-ever you want to pay ...

**Debit Card can only be used to withdraw what's in the account - so you only put in what you want them to have.