How to send money as a gift for family and friends abroad

Disclaimer: The contents of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. You are solely responsible for calculating your tax liabilities and paying them as per the applicable law. If you need any assistance to determine and pay the same please consult a qualified financial and legal advisor.

When someone you love is celebrating a birthday in Belgium, a wedding in Kraków, Eid in Karachi, Diwali in Delhi, or Christmas in Christchurch, being there in person isn't always possible.

While a thoughtful message is lovely, sometimes the most useful present is money they can spend on what matters most.

The tricky bit? Getting your gift there quickly, safely, and without surprise costs. This guide walks you through how to send money as a gift to friends and family overseas, including the pros and cons of each method, what fees to watch for, and how to compare options.

We'll also introduce the Wise account from the money services provider Wise that allows you to send and receive international payments for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

🔎 Learn more about the Wise account

Sending money as a gift abroad: The joys and challenges

Sending money as a gift abroad should feel as warm as handing it over in person. When it goes right, your contribution lands quickly, in the right currency, and is ready for birthdays, weddings, or festivals like Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.

But routes, fees, and exchange rates can make a surprising difference to what arrives – and when.

Why send money as a gift abroad?

Money is practical, flexible, and respectful. It lets your cousin in Spain choose the pram brand they prefer, helps your parents in India pay a medical bill on time, or allows a friend working in the UAE to treat themselves during Eid.

For big life moments like weddings, new babies or graduations, cash avoids duplicates and international postage hassles, but only if it arrives in the currency they actually use.

Common challenges when sending money internationally

Even the most generous gift can lose impact if it arrives late or shrinks on the way. Common pain points of sending money internationally include:

• Exorbitant or layered fees (sender fees, intermediary bank fees, receiving fees)
• Hidden exchange-rate markups that nibble away at your gift's value
• Slow delivery via legacy networks (often days, not hours)
• Security worries and uncertainty about where your money is in the process

The good news is that you can avoid most of this with the right choice of provider and a quick comparison.

How best to send money to family abroad: Your options

If you are not sure how to send money as a gift abroad, there are several payment methods you can choose from. Each has its place, but some are better suited for gift-giving than others.

Bank transfers

This is the traditional route: you ask your UK bank to wire money abroad, usually through the SWIFT network.¹ It's straightforward if you already bank online, but transfers can be slow, and costs aren't always clear upfront.

Pros

• Familiar and widely available
• You can send from your existing bank app or branch

Cons

• Speed: SWIFT transfers can take 1–5 working days, depending on the route and banks in between¹
• Costs: Some banks often add exchange-rate markups on top of visible fees, making the true cost hard to see

Online money transfer services

These are providers designed specifically for cross-border payments, often with simple apps and clear pricing. They usually let you send money quickly at a lower cost, often with transparent fees and fairer exchange rates.

Pros

• Lower, transparent fees* with a clear breakdown before you send
• Fairer exchange rates: Wise, for example, uses the mid-market rate
• Fast transfers: From instant to same day on many routes, with estimates shown upfront
• Tracking: See where your money is at each step in the app (recipients can get tracking links, too)

Cons

• You'll need to create an account and complete one-off verification (a standard security requirement)

Digital wallets and apps

Wallet-to-wallet payments, such as PayPal, allow you to move money using only an email address or phone number. They're handy for small amounts, but both sender and recipient need accounts, and fees can creep in through exchange rates.²

Pros

• Convenient for smaller amounts
• Often quick if both parties already use the same wallet

Cons

• Both sender and recipient usually need accounts with the same provider
• Exchange-rate markups and fees may be tucked into the rate you're quoted, so always compare the final amount the recipient gets

Cash collection services

Here, you send money that can be collected in cash at a local agent location, with brands like Western Union making this option widely available.³ It's useful if your recipient doesn't have a bank account, but costs are often higher than digital transfers.

Pros

• Vital when recipients don't have bank accounts or prefer cash

Cons

• Higher average costs vs. digital, especially on cash-funded transactions
• Exchange-rate markups can be steep, so always check the delivered amount in local currency⁴

Key factors to consider when sending money as a gift for family abroad

When sending money across borders, you need to ensure that your loved one actually receives the intended amount, when they need it, and without unnecessary stress.

A transfer that looks cheap on the surface may end up costing more once fees and exchange-rate markups are factored in. By keeping an eye on a few key details, like exchange rates, fees, speed, and security, you can make sure your gift is as valuable and timely as you want it to be.

Exchange rates

The mid-market rate is the midpoint between the buy and sell rates you'll see on global currency markets, which is essentially the rate you find on Google. Some providers add a markup to this rate to cover their costs, effectively creating a hidden fee. Wise uses the mid-market rate* and shows any fees upfront and separately, so you can compare the real cost easily.

Finally, don't compare only the "fee" line – compare the final amount your recipient receives after conversion and fees. This is often where some banks or providers that appear cheap are hiding additional fees or mark-ups within their exchange rate.

Transfer fees

Fees can be fixed, percentage-based, or a mix, and may vary by payment method (bank transfer vs. card). The important thing is transparency, and Wise shows transaction fees upfront before you send.

Transfer speed

Delivery times can range from seconds to days, depending on the corridor, payment method and compliance checks. If your gift needs to land on a specific date (say, before Diwali or a wedding), check the estimated arrival time shown by the provider before you press send.

Security

Look for providers regulated in the UK, with login protection and encryption:

• UK regulation: Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Electronic Money Institution
• 2-step verification / 2FA: These are extra login checks that help keep accounts safe which means even if someone has managed to get to your password, they can't login without a second, separate key such as a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint
• Security practices: Encryption, biometrics, and app-based controls add further protection

Sending limits and regulations

Providers can have daily or per-transfer limits (often higher once your account is verified). Large gifts may trigger standard source-of-funds checks or require extra documents, so plan a little extra time if you're sending a big amount.

Additional considerations when sending money as a gift abroad

Tax implications (UK)

In the UK, most everyday gifts to family are not taxed at the time you give them. For Inheritance Tax planning, there's an annual gift allowance of £3,000 (the "annual exemption").⁴ Rules depend on your circumstances, and separate seven-year rules can apply to larger gifts.

Finding a cost effective option to send money abroad

Costs vary by route and method but in general, the cheapest option is usually an online money transfer service that uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges low, transparent fees*, so you know exactly what the recipient will get.

Can you send money abroad to friends and family without a bank account?

Yes. Cash pickup services let your recipient collect money in cash at a local agent. This is helpful where bank access is limited. Be aware that these services often cost more than digital account-to-account transfers.

Tracking money sent as a gift abroad

Most online services provide in-app tracking, plus email or push notifications when your transfer is received and sent out. For example, with Wise, both you and your recipient can track progress in real time.

Practical tips for sending money as a gift abroad for family and friends

1. Compare different services – Use comparison tools to get a feel for prices, but always check the final quote on the provider's site so you can see the exact exchange rate and fees, as hidden costs are often bundled into the rate.
2. Double-check recipient details – Names, addresses, bank names, IBAN and SWIFT/BIC must be spot-on or transfers can be delayed or bounced. If you're sending to a new country, skim what bank details are needed before you send.
3. Keep records of your transactions – Save the receipt or reference until the recipient confirms they've got the money. With Wise, you can download confirmations from your account.
4. Inform the recipient of the transfer details – Tell them the amount in their currency and the expected arrival time so they can look out for it, which is especially handy when sending for specific holidays or events. Wise shows time estimates and offers shareable tracking.
5. Plan ahead for large gifts – If you're sending a large amount (e.g., a wedding contribution or house deposit top-up), verify your account and have documents ready (source-of-funds evidence) to avoid last-minute delays.

Make your international gift-giving easy with Wise

Traditional payment methods can be slow and pricey, which is not ideal when you're trying to make someone's day. With Wise, you get low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate while paying in over 40+ currencies.

There's also the speedy delivery on many routes, and end-to-end tracking, so you and your loved one know what's happening.

Note: Transaction speed claimed depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions. See latest speed update for more details.

Open a Wise account, check a live quote in seconds on the Send Money page, and make your gift land when it matters, where it matters: from Eid to Diwali, birthdays to new babies, and all the everyday moments in between.

Open your Wise account 🌍

Sources used in this article:

1. Stripe - SWIFT network
2. CoinLaw - digital wallet transactions
3. Western Union - cash pick-up
4. Gov.uk - inheritance tax and gifting

Sources last checked on: 26th Sep 2025

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