Send Money from the UK to the Philippines: Cheapest Way by Payout Method

Filipino nurses, carers, seafarers and families across the UK send money home every month, and the UK has one of the most competitive markets for it. Maraming choices, so the gap between a good and a bad deal is real. This page shows today's pound to peso reference rate, which providers serve the route, and how to choose by payout method.

GBP to PHP today

This is the mid-market reference rate. Providers pay you a bit less and may add a fee. The closer a provider's rate is to this number after fees, the more pesos your family receives.

Provider estimates

Providers that send from the UK to the Philippines

What sets them apart:

• Wise converts at the mid-market rate and charges a visible fee. It deposits to Philippine banks and pays to GCash, Maya and other wallets (up to 50,000 PHP per wallet transfer). Wise Payments Limited is authorised by the FCA as an electronic money institution (firm reference 900507). See our Wise review.
• Remitly is run in the UK by Remitly U.K. Ltd, regulated by the FCA (reference 728639). It pays to banks, GCash, Maya, cash pickup and, in some areas, home delivery, with Express and Economy speeds. Payment options in the UK include debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Easy Bank Transfers. See our Remitly review.
• WorldRemit and Sendwave (both part of the Zepz group) are on GCash's UK partner list. WorldRemit also offers bank deposit and cash pickup.
• Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria cover cash pickup at Philippine pawnshops and remittance centres, plus bank and GCash payouts.
• Panda Remit is on GCash's UK partner list and pays to banks and GCash.
• Xoom (PayPal) serves UK senders to the Philippines too.

Best option by payout method

Bank deposit

The UK to Philippines bank route is where low-margin services shine. Start with Wise and Remitly Economy, then check one more. Many transfers to major banks like BDO, BPI and Metrobank arrive the same day, but deposits made late in the day or over a Philippine weekend or holiday can take longer.

GCash and Maya

GCash's official UK partner list (checked 21 Oct 2026) includes Remitly, Panda Remit, WorldRemit, Sendwave, Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, Taptap Send, Skrill and TransferGo. Wise pays to GCash and Maya through local Philippine rails. The recipient's GCash should be fully verified and the name must match. More in our send money to GCash from abroad guide.

Cash pickup

Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, WorldRemit and Remitly all offer cash pickup through Philippine partners such as Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier and Palawan Express. Your recipient brings a valid government ID and the reference number. It's convenient for relatives in the province but usually costs more than a bank deposit.

How to send money from the UK to the Philippines

1. Choose the payout method your family prefers.
2. Compare two or three providers with the same GBP amount and payout method. Write down the pesos received.
3. Sign up and verify your identity. UK providers ask for a passport, UK driving licence or BRP (or eVisa share code details), and may check your address electronically.
4. Add your recipient with their full name as on their ID or GCash, plus account details.
5. Pay by bank transfer or debit card. UK Faster Payments usually clears in minutes.
6. Confirm and share the reference with your recipient.

Fees, rates and what to watch

• The rate margin is the main cost on most transfers above a couple of hundred pounds. A provider with a 0 GBP fee can still be expensive if its rate is far below today's reference.
• Card payments cost more. Debit cards often carry a small fee; credit cards can carry a provider fee plus a cash advance fee and interest from your card issuer. Read our credit card guide.
• Bank-to-bank transfers from your high street bank are possible through SWIFT, but they often combine a sending fee, a weaker exchange rate and fees charged by intermediary or receiving banks. Specialist providers are usually cheaper for PHP.
• First transfer promos. Several providers offer a better first transfer for new UK customers. For example, Wise's referral programme gives invited new customers a fee-free transfer up to a set amount. See our dated first transfer promos list.

Worked example: reading a UK quote

Round numbers only, not real quotes. Say today's reference rate were 80.00 PHP per pound and you want to send 400 GBP to a BDO account.

App B charges a fee but wins by about 320 PHP because its rate is closer to the reference. The high street bank loses on both the fee and the rate, and the recipient's bank may deduct a charge on arrival. That's why we always compare the final pesos.

To check a real quote, divide the pesos received by the pounds you paid in total. If the result is close to today's reference rate shown above, you're getting a good deal.

Is my money protected?

UK remittance providers are usually electronic money institutions or payment institutions authorised by the FCA. They must safeguard customer money, which means keeping it separate from their own funds. That is not the same as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects bank deposits; e-money and payment accounts are generally not FSCS protected.

Before you use a provider:

1. Search the company name on the FCA Register.
2. Check the firm reference number matches the one in the provider's terms or website footer.
3. Watch out for clone firms using a real company's name with a different website or phone number.

If something goes wrong, complain to the provider first. If you're not satisfied, you can usually take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Tips for Filipinos in the UK

• Set up two providers. Prices change by the week. Two apps with the same saved recipient make comparison a thirty second habit.
• Mind the time difference. The Philippines is 7 or 8 hours ahead of the UK depending on British Summer Time, so an evening transfer from the UK may land after Philippine banking hours. GCash credits are usually instant regardless.
• Large transfers: for tuition, property or a car, use bank deposit, expect a source of funds check, and send a small test first.
• Keep your documents current. When your visa or BRP details change, update them in your provider app before payday so a transfer isn't held for re-verification.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from the UK to the Philippines?

The provider that delivers the most pesos for your amount after the fee and rate margin. For bank deposits, Wise and Remitly are usually strong; for GCash and cash pickup, also compare WorldRemit, Sendwave, Panda Remit and Western Union. Compare on the day you send.

Can I send money to GCash from the UK?

Yes. Remitly, WorldRemit, Sendwave, Panda Remit, Western Union and others are on GCash's official UK partner list, and Wise also pays to GCash. Choose mobile wallet or GCash as the delivery method and enter the recipient's GCash number and name.

How long does it take to send money from the UK to the Philippines?

Many transfers to GCash and major banks arrive within minutes to hours, especially when paid by debit card or Faster Payments. Some banks and transfers made outside Philippine banking hours take one to two business days.

Is Wise or Remitly better from the UK?

It depends on the amount and payout method. Wise tends to be strong for bank deposits because it uses the mid-market rate with a separate fee. Remitly offers more payout options, including cash pickup and home delivery, and often has a new customer offer. See Remitly vs Wise.

Do I need to tell HMRC about money I send home?

Sending your own taxed income to family isn't a taxable event in itself. Tax questions depend on your situation, such as income from property or investments in the Philippines, so ask a UK tax adviser if you're unsure.

Can I use PayPal to send money from the UK to the Philippines?

PayPal's international remittance service is Xoom, which serves UK senders to the Philippines with bank, GCash and cash pickup payouts. A regular PayPal payment to a Philippine PayPal account is a different product with its own currency conversion fees, so compare it with a remittance app before using it.

Is there a limit on how much I can send?

Each provider sets limits based on your verification level, and they rise as you verify more. GCash and other wallets add their own receiving limits, so very large sums are better sent to a bank account.

What ID do I need to send money from the UK?

Usually a passport, UK driving licence or residence document, plus electronic address checks. Larger amounts may need proof of where the money came from, such as payslips or bank statements.