Previous story
6 top tips on transferring currency with confidence
5 minutes read
Large purchases, renovation costs and regular UK earnings, currency transfers all share the same crucial considerations: a competitive exchange rate, a swift and timely process - and an assurance that your money is in safe hands. In this article, we’ll show you how Britline International Payment Service (BIPS) can help you transfer your hard-earned cash with confidence and expert advice without fees. Read our 6 top tips for when you need to move your money internationally.
What's the best solution to navigate the currency market?
If you live in France and have income from the UK or other countries, it’s very likely that you will need to transfer money on a regular basis. You may want to maximise your pension income, build your Euro savings, undertake renovations to your home – or perhaps to buy that boat you’ve always promised yourself.
Therefore, making informed decisions about your currency transfers is essential to ensuring your financial wellbeing and allowing you to fully enjoy your life in France.
1. How to decide if your existing currency provider is working for you
The first tip is to review your currency transfer payment history from the past year, analysing the amounts and frequencies of your transactions. Our needs change over time, so it’s a useful exercise to do periodically. For example, when you look at previous transfers were they:
- Regular or occasional payments?
- Did you complete everything online - or speak to someone?
- What difficulties did you encounter?
2. Comparing currency transfer service
When it comes to money transfers, there are many ways to convert your funds. There is a lot of choice in the market so it’s important to ask yourself a few questions:
- Optimal rates: What defines an optimal rate, and how can you achieve it? What solutions help navigate the fluctuations?
- Robust security: How important is the safety of your funds – and do you prefer to use an experienced provider or familiar brand?
- Accessibility: Online access 24/7 or speak to an advisor. The answer may differ depending on the situation.
- A choice of solutions: Are your currency transfers always one-off payments, or have you considered how regular payments, or forward contracts could make things easier?
3. Understanding the different solutions
Understanding the different options is important and speaking to a specialist will help you choose the best one for your situation.
- Spot contracts: If you are looking to move funds quickly and have funds available straight away a spot transfer is the solution for you. It enables you to convert funds at the current exchange rate.
Key benefit: As the most common form of currency transaction, it allows you to move funds quickly and works essentially as a ‘buy now, pay now’ option. - Forward contracts: A forward contract enables you to lock in an exchange rate for up to two years. This option is particularly popular when looking to secure a rate for your house purchase. Britline’s International Payments Service offers this option for transfers over 10 000€.
Key benefit: Forward contracts offer budget predictability and protection against adverse market fluctuations by securing a fixed exchange rate with a deposit, though they commit you to that rate even if market conditions improve. - Market order: If you are looking for a target rate and don’t have the time to follow the markets, this option is perfect.
Key benefit: Clients can set a target exchange rate, triggering automatic transfers upon reaching it, with the option to amend or cancel before execution.
4. Transferring money safely and securely
Research the provider’s website for information on how they will handle your money – and their track record. By way of example, BIPS (provided by HiFX Europe Limited) benefits from:
- State-of-the-art security, stable systems and reliable managed services.
- Experienced FX traders and security professionals.
- Comprehensive anti-money laundering and fraud protection services to protect the customer.
- Extensive regulatory expertise.
With over 30 years trading experience, the company has helped thousands of customers to transfer their money safely and securely.
5. Timing your transfer to avoid surprises
To time your transfer to optimise the best rate follow these 3 tips:
1) Set up rate alerts with your provider to be notified of favourable exchange rates.
2) Speak to a currency specialist to help you achieve the rate that you want and work out what is best for you. Don’t take the risk of just monitoring the rates in the weeks before your intended transfer rate.
3) Avoid transferring during major economic announcements or political events that may cause sudden volatility.
6. Opening your BIPS account and getting started
If you are seeking a currency transfer service which is secure, trusted and fast – then BIPS is the solution for you. BIPS will make it easy for you to move funds between your UK and CA Britline account when the time is right for you, offering:
- Favourable rates, so you can trust that you’re getting the most for your money.
- Fast money transfers so you never have any doubt about where your money is.
- A quick and easy process which you can handle entirely online 24/7, 365 days a year – plus a telephone service with dedicated currency specialists on 0044 (0) 1753 752 760.
- Numerous transfer options so you can send your money in the way that best suits your situation.
- Currency tools and resources so you can stay up to date on your choice currencies.
Britline’s trusted currency partner has more than 30 years’ experience in international money transfers. Opening your BIPS account is easy, with an account with CA Britline – the bank that speaks your language.
CA Britline - the bank that speaks your language
Our friendly and bicultural team of English-speaking advisors have been helping our customers with all their banking needs in France since 1999. Most of the team have lived both in the UK and France, so they can understand what life is like both sides of the Channel.
Feel reassured that you will always have access to real people who understand you and speak your language: Contact our friendly team of English-speaking advisors who will help you set up your bank account including access to BIPS.
We look forward to hearing from you!
First published: 17th April 2025
Image used is provided by Getty Images.
For UK clients, Britline International Payments Service is provided by HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 3517451. Registered office: Maxis 1, Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RT. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services.
For EEA clients, Britline International Payments Service is provided by XE Europe B.V.. XE Europe B.V. is a limited company registered in The Netherlands with company no. 72587873, and registered office at Rozengracht 12,1, 1016NB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. XE Europe B.V. is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) under the Payment Services Directive II, license number R149006 for the provision of payment services.
Local costs apply when phoning within France from a landline. Check with your service provider when calling from abroad.