Can you pay in euros in England: what you need to know if you’re travelling from France

The United Kingdom may not be far from France, but it’s a different world entirely — especially when it comes to money. Not only is the pound sterling stronger than the euro, but withdrawals and payments can cost you more because of exchange fees.

How can you save on bank charges and conversion costs? One simple way is to travel to England with a multi-currency card, like the Wise card. Payments in pounds sterling will be free if you already hold GBP in your account and no conversion is needed. Otherwise, you’ll only pay fair, transparent fees — and the conversion will use the mid-market exchange rate.

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Can you pay in euros in England?

Who accepts euro payments in England?

The national currency of England is the pound sterling. As of October 3rd at 2:11 PM UTC, £1 was equivalent to €1.15. Across the Channel, euro payments are rare — almost no shops will accept euro cash.

There are a few exceptions, especially around ports and borders: on ferries, at airports, in train stations, or at some tourist sites.

However, accepting euros is considered a “service,” and shops usually charge for it. The conversion rate they apply will almost always be poor. So, it’s best to pay in euros only in emergencies.

Can you pay in pounds sterling with a euro account in England?

Yes, you can pay in pounds sterling with your euro bank account, but expect extra costs. Your French bank will charge conversion and foreign transaction fees, which can make every payment more expensive.

For payments and withdrawals, the amount debited from your account will be converted at a marked-up exchange rate — not shown to you beforehand. You might notice the difference later when comparing the amount withdrawn with what was actually charged.

Additionally, your bank will often add fees because the transaction takes place outside the eurozone. For withdrawals, these usually include a fixed fee plus a percentage of the amount. For payments, a variable commission often applies.

Some shops or ATMs in England may also charge their own card fees. Before you leave, check your bank’s fee schedule or ask your advisor.

With the Wise card, transactions are processed at the mid-market exchange rate, not a marked-up rate. For card payments, only a small transparent fee is applied — with no hidden markups or surprise charges.

The prices above are subject to change depending on the exchange rate at the time of the transaction. These rates were taken from the Wise website on October 27th, 2025.

Withdrawals are free up to €200 (or the equivalent in foreign currency) per month, with a maximum of two withdrawals. Beyond that, you’ll pay a small fee of 1.75% or €0.50 from the third withdrawal onward — still lower than most traditional banks.

Please note that English banks may also charge extra fees if you withdraw cash from their ATMs.

Precautions to take before your trip to England from France

To avoid unpleasant surprises, follow these simple tips:

• Check that your card works in England: Most Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted. If unsure, confirm with your bank before you leave.
• Notify your bank before travelling: If you make transactions in England while registered as living in France, your bank might block them for suspected fraud.
• Review your card limits: You’ll likely spend more abroad than at home. Consider increasing your payment and withdrawal limits temporarily — but note your bank might charge a fee for doing so.

What is the best payment method to save money when you are in England?

Exchanging euros for pounds

Currency exchange offices are often a poor deal for travelers. The exchange rate is usually unfavorable, and conversion commissions can be high. “Zero commission” offers are often misleading — the fee is simply hidden in the exchange rate.

If you must exchange euros for pounds, avoid tourist areas and major transport hubs. Smaller exchange offices outside the city center tend to offer better rates.

Paying by card

Card payments are the easiest option. In England, almost every shop, café, and taxi accepts card payments.

However, your French bank will still charge conversion and transaction fees.

Learn more: How to pay in England →

Paying with a travel card

A prepaid travel card can make your trip simpler and safer. You can load your spending budget in advance and protect your main account in case your card is lost or stolen.

If someone finds your card and guesses your PIN, they can only access the funds loaded on it — not your main account.

Travel cards generally work like regular payment cards, though some banks charge fees for topping them up.

How to reduce these fees for paying by card in England?

Avoid withdrawing pounds sterling from ATMs

ATM withdrawals abroad are costly. You’ll pay both exchange and transaction fees, and often the ATM provider in England will charge extra. In short: use cash withdrawals as a last resort.

At most French banks, overseas card payments are cheaper than withdrawals. Whenever possible, pay directly by card.

Check your bank’s conditions before you go. If you have no fixed fees on payments, you can use your card freely. Otherwise, limit usage to larger purchases.

How to pay in England with the Wise currency card?

The Wise card works like a regular Visa debit card. It’s linked to an account that lets you hold 40+ different currencies at once.

Withdrawals are only charged beyond €200 per month or from the third withdrawal onward. In those cases, the fee is 1.75% of the amount + €0.50 per withdrawal.

If you hold euros in your account and pay in pounds sterling, the conversion will use the mid-market exchange rate, and Wise applies only a fair commission. There are no hidden fees.

With Wise, you can pay abroad easily — and in most cases, it costs less than with traditional banks.

For extra security during your trip to England, travel with two cards: one Visa and one Mastercard. Some merchants may accept only one of the two.

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This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.