Best euro (EUR) accounts in the UK

Do you travel in Europe a lot, or have friends and family there? Perhaps you’re a freelancer with multiple European clients. In all of these circumstances, having a euro account could be very useful indeed.

This kind of account is available in the UK from high street and digital banks, as well as specialist providers.

But which is the best euro account in the UK right now? Take a look below for some options to check out, including info on fees and features for each. This should help you compare accounts and choose the right one for your needs.

We’ll also show you a smart alternative - the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It’s not a bank account but an international account that lets you manage your funds in 40+ currencies including EUR.

Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to send, receive and convert money at mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees. Your money is safeguarded and you’ll also get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts. On a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

Best euro (EUR) accounts in the UK

Let’s dive straight in with an at-a-glance look at some of the best euro (EUR) accounts in the UK right now. The following list is ordered alphabetically:

• Correspondent fees may apply

Cater Allen Euro Bank Account

One of the best free euro accounts available in the UK right now, the Euro Bank Account from private bank Cater Allen has no monthly fee¹ and comes with a contactless debit card.

It also offers:

• Unlimited free everyday debit transactions¹
• Free transfers between your euro, sterling or US dollar accounts with Cater Allen¹
• No fee for sending money outside the UK in euros (non-euro payments have a £25 fee).²

Cater Allen is transparent about its exchange rate markup, but it’s higher than Starling’s at 3%.¹¹

It also charges a commission of 1.75% to 2.75% (depending on location) when you use your euro debit card to make ATM withdrawals.²

HSBC Currency Account

With the HSBC Currency Account, you open an account in one of 14 major currencies, including EUR.³ This makes it a good option for people needing to manage their money in multiple currencies (not just euros), such as global freelancers for example.

It has no monthly fees and it’s free to make transfers to other HSBC accounts as well as payments in EUR within the EEA. For all other currencies, fees will apply for sending money abroad - these start from around £7 per transfer.³ You can manage payments online, in branch and over the phone.

If you need to convert between currencies, the HSBC Currency Account offers live exchange rates updated during market hours.

There’s no debit card with this account though, so you won’t be able to spend in EUR.

To be eligible for the account, you’ll need to be a personal customer who already has an active HSBC current account.

Lloyds International Classic Current Account

The Lloyds International Classic Current Account comes in a choice of 3 currencies, including EUR. It has a monthly fee of €5, although this is waived if you can keep at least €5,000 EUR in it.⁴

This may not be suitable/possible for some users, so it could be slightly more pricey than other options on our list if the minimum balance isn’t maintained.

Designed for personal customers, one of the best features of this account is its fee-free international transfers.⁴

But while Lloyds Bank doesn’t charge fees, it does advise that there may be other charges. For example, correspondent or receiving bank fees when payments are sent via SWIFT.⁴

Another useful feature is the debit card, which lets you spend in EUR. You can use it for cash withdrawals too, but there’s a fee of 1.5% when using it abroad.⁴

Lastly, there are some perks including:⁴

• Global hotel booking and dining discounts with Visa Luxury Hotel Collection.
• Car hire discounts with Sixt.
• Support with refunds on delayed flights by Visa AirRefund.

Metro Bank Foreign Currency Account

Prefer to bank in branch? One option to look into is Metro Bank and its Foreign Currency Account.

The account comes in a choice of EUR, GBP or USD, and can be managed via mobile app, phone or in-branch banking. Metro Bank has a network of stores throughout the UK - you can find your nearest here.

You can send and receive international payments with this account, although it doesn’t come with a debit card.

Another crucial thing to know about this account is that it does have some fees. There’s an account fee of €5 to €15 EUR a month depending on your account balance. Plus, you’ll pay a fee of €20 EUR on top of that to make SWIFT payments.⁵

The good news though is that SEPA payments (in EUR within the EEA) are just £0.20 a time.⁵

To be eligible for the Metro Bank Foreign Currency Account, you’ll need to be a personal customer who already holds a Metro Bank Current Account or Instant Access Account. The only way to apply is in store.

Monese EUR Account

The mobile-only fintech Monese offers accounts in a handful of currencies, including euros. It comes with a dedicated IBAN and a contactless debit card.

You’ll need to sign up for a Monese plan, with options ranging from a free Pay As You Go plan through to a Premium plan costing £14.95 a month.⁶

There are some other fees you need to know about, including the following (based on free PAYG plan):⁶

• 2% for global transfers, extra 1% fee on weekends
• 1% fee for currency exchange between Monese accounts
• 3% for debit card spending abroad
• Up to 4% for ATM withdrawals abroad.

It’s worth checking the full fees list in advance, before signing up.

NatWest Travel Account

If you’re after an euro account specifically for travel in Europe, the NatWest Travel Account could be worth a look. You’ll need a sterling current account with the bank first.

Once open, the euro-denominated account links to your existing NatWest debit card, letting you spend in EUR just like a local.

There are no foreign transaction fees to worry about - just remember to choose to pay in euros if asked. You can also withdraw up to €200 EUR from ATMs a month with no NatWest fees.⁷

The account can be opened for free and has no monthly fees.⁷ You can top up your EUR balance anytime using the NatWest mobile app.

An important thing to note about the NatWest Travel Account though is that you can’t send or receive money with it. It’s only for card spending and ATM withdrawals. It’s for this reason it comes slightly lower on our list than for some other providers.

Revolut EUR Account

The Revolut EUR Account isn’t a standalone product you can apply for. It’s something you can add-on once you already have a standard Revolut online current account as a personal customer.

You’ll need to sign up for a Revolut account and choose a plan, with monthly fees ranging from £0 to £55 a month.⁸

Once you’ve signed up, you can create a new EUR sub-account in just a few taps of the Revolut app. You can hold a balance in EUR, send euros internationally and spend using your Revolut card in EUR.

There are no fees for SEPA payments (sent in euros within the EEA).⁹ If you want to send money to other destinations or in other currencies, you should know that Revolut does charge some international transfer fees. These vary depending on the details of the payment.

You’ll also get a fair usage limit for currency exchange, above which a fee applies. There’s also a currency exchange mark-up which also applies to currency conversions carried out at weekends.

Starling Bank Euro Account

The Euro Account from Starling Bank lets you send, receive and hold euros for no monthly fees, and no transfer fees either. The only cost to be aware of is a 0.4% mark-up on the current exchange rate if you convert EUR to GBP or vice versa.¹⁰

It beats other free euro accounts on our list because it’s transparent about the currency conversion fee - which is also pretty competitive. Other providers show you the rate when you come to make a transfer, but don’t actually make it clear what the mark-up is.

You can only send SEPA payments (EUR within the EEA region) on working days with this account. You can’t make SWIFT transfers to other destinations.

It’s a fully app-managed current account with an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and FSCS protection, and you can use a single Starling debit card to pay in either EUR or GBP. You’ll just need to adjust the settings in the app to choose which balance the card uses.

The account is for personal customers who have opened a Starling current account with the digital bank first.

Smart solutions for managing your money in EUR

Managing your money in euros often involves some of life's biggest financial decisions. Whether you're buying property, paying a mortgage, covering everyday expenses, or receiving money from abroad, one of the most overlooked aspects is how you move and manage your money across currencies.

Banks may claim to have “no fees” but they could be adding a sneaky mark-up to their exchange rate. This can impact your budget by up to 2% when sending money abroad. For example, on a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

Wise has built its own payment network that allows customers to send money internationally for less. You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate (close to the one you see on Google) with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

What is a euro (EUR) account?

A euro (EUR) account is simply a current or savings account denominated in euros. This differs from a standard bank account in the UK, where the money is held in British pounds sterling (GBP).

If you have a euro account, you can usually send and receive payments in EUR without the currency needing to be converted first. This can help you to avoid high currency conversion fees and poor exchange rates.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that these accounts sometimes have monthly fees, plus charges for making international transfers.

How does it work?

Euro (EUR) accounts work in almost the same way as your ordinary current account.

You’ll get account details just like you’ve opened a European bank account, so that people can pay you in EUR.

Depending on the provider and the account, you’ll be able to manage your money online, by phone, in branch or via mobile app. You can set up international transfers, and receive them too.

Some are multi-currency international accounts, so let you convert between different currencies.

For others, the provider may require you to open a GBP account with them first, so you’ll only be able to convert between your GBP and EUR accounts. Whichever is the case, just make sure you check whether there are any fees, along with what exchange rate is used for the currency conversion.

You might even get a linked debit card with some EUR accounts. This lets you spend online at European websites and in real-world stores when you’re travelling in Europe. In some cases, you might be able to withdraw cash from ATMs too.

Is it worth having a EUR account?

Here’s a quick look at the main benefits of opening a euro account in the UK:

• Simpler for people and businesses who regularly send or receive EUR payments.
• Helps you to manage exchange rate fluctuations - you choose if and when to convert currency, so you can wait until exchange rates are favourable.
• Free or reduced fees for international transfers (depending on the provider and account).
• Handy for travel spending when you’re visiting Europe.

Which UK banks offer euro accounts?

Banks such as HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds, Starling and Metro Bank all currently offer euro accounts in the UK.

Other banks such as Barclays and Santander also have them, but they’re often aimed at either private banking customers (with a minimum wealth/income requirement) or international customers living outside the UK.

How to open a euro (EUR) account in the UK?

Here’s how to open a euro account here in the UK, in just a few simple steps:

1. Research the market and choose the right euro account for your needs - making sure to check the fees, terms and conditions carefully.
2. Check you meet any eligibility criteria - you might need to open a GBP account with the provider before you’ll be eligible for a EUR account
3. Apply for the account - many providers let you apply online or through their mobile banking apps, but some only accept applications in branch or over the phone.
4. Provide your personal details and contact information.
5. Complete the required steps to verify your identity.
6. Wait for confirmation that the account has been opened, then add money to it.

You might need some documents to hand before starting your application.

This includes your passport or other photo ID, and proof of address such as a recent utility bill. If there’s an eligibility requirement relating to income or savings, you may also need to show proof of this.

If you’re opening a business bank account, additional documents may be required (i.e. business registration documents).

FAQs

Can I open a euro account in the UK?

Yes, many banks and providers offer euro accounts in the UK. If you're over 18 and follow any requirements (such as opening a sterling current account first), you can open a euro account at any UK bank or provider which offers them.

Can I deposit euros in my UK bank account?

If you have a dedicated euro account, you can deposit euros into it. If you have a sterling account though, the money may need to be converted from EUR to GBP - and this may mean currency conversion costs.

Can I spend euros in the UK?

No, in most cases you can’t usually spend euros in the UK. You can only spend pounds sterling (GBP) in the UK.

Key takeaways

• Digital options like Starling Bank allow you to send, receive, and hold euros with no monthly or transfer fees, applying a transparent 0.4% markup on currency conversions.
• Standard high street banks such as HSBC and Cater Allen offer fee-free accounts for EUR transfers within the EEA, but they require you to have an active sterling current account with them first.
• International and offshore accounts like the Lloyds International Classic Current Account carry a €5 monthly fee unless you maintain a minimum daily balance of €5,000 EUR to waive it.
• Brick-and-mortar providers like Metro Bank require you to apply in store, charging monthly account fees up to €15 EUR alongside a flat £0.20 fee for SEPA transfers.
• Mobile-only fintech solutions like Monese provide a dedicated IBAN and debit card but apply percentage-based fees on the free plan, including a 2% fee on global transfers with an extra 1% charge on weekends.
• Travel-specific products like the NatWest Travel Account link directly to your existing sterling card for fee-free spending and low-cost ATM use abroad, but they completely lack functionality for sending or receiving transfers.

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Sources used:

1. Cater Allen - Euro Bank Account
2. Cater Allen - Banking tariff
3. HSBC - Currency Account
4. Lloyds - International Classic account
5. Metro Bank - Foreign Currency Account
6. Monese - Our Pricing
7. NatWest - Travel Account
8. Revolut - Our Pricing Plans
9. Revolut - Standard - Fees
10. Starling Bank - Euro Bank Account
11. Cater Allen - Foreign payments and currencies

Sources last checked on date: 09-Apr-2026