Large money transfers made easy
Learn how to send large sums overseas swiftly, securely, and at a great exchange rate.
Learn how to send large sums overseas swiftly, securely, and at a great exchange rate.
Always here when you need us
Assisted over 600,000 clients
€11.5bn transferred each year
Transfers to 120+ countries
There are many reasons you might need to transfer a large amount of money overseas. Perhaps you’re looking to buy or sell a Portuguese property. Maybe you’re purchasing a luxury item, or paying overseas tuition fees.
Whatever the reason, it’s vital that your transfer is safe and secure, and that you get an excellent exchange rate.
So, having an expert on your side to offer specialist support can make all the difference.
We can help you take control over how and when you send or receive your funds, achieve a better exchange rate, and enjoy peace of mind.
What’s more, with four branches scattered across Portugal, on-the-ground experts, and thousands of partners in the property and professional services sectors, we can provide a level of support and insight you just can’t get anywhere else.
We’ve helped customers transfer money to make large purchases, from houses to luxury vehicles and even horses.
Buying property
Buying a dream property abroad can seem complicated, but making your money go further is simple with tailored services, guidance and support.
Selling property
If you’re selling an overseas property and need to transfer the proceeds, we can help you secure a strong exchange rate and get more from your money.
Luxury goods
Treating yourself to something special, like an imported car or artwork from overseas? Even if you’re splashing out, you can still save on your currency transfers.
Foreign investments
Protect your investments from currency volatility with our specialist services, such as fixing an exchange rate, paired with expert support and personal account management.
When you’re picking a transfer provider, there are two main options. You can opt for a high-street bank or go with a specialist money transfer company.
While many people choose to make large transfers through their banks, this isn’t always the best option.
Banks often work on higher margins than currency specialists, meaning you could get a better deal elsewhere. And they tend to offer a limited range of services, making it harder to time your transfer for when the market is in your favour.
It’s often better to use a money transfer provider for sending large sums, as they have the expertise and tools needed to help you move your money at the right time.
Currency providers are able to offer more competitive exchange rates than banks so you get more from your money. They’re also better placed to guide you through the process, keeping you up to date with the latest market movements. However, it's essential that the provider you use is authorised to operate in Portugal by a European regulator like the Bank of Portugal.
At Currencies Direct, sending money to or from Portugal is our specialty.
Established in 1996, we were one of the first money transfer providers in Europe, and we’ve been helping people and businesses save money on their overseas transfers ever since.
We offer highly competitive exchange rates and we don’t charge transfer fees. There are no hidden costs or charges; once you’ve agreed a rate, that’s what you’ll get.
Transactions with us are swift and secure. We’re authorised by the FCA in the UK and by the Bank of Spain in the EU, where we have passported our services into Portugal. And you can easily track transactions through your online account.
The thing that really sets us apart is our personalised approach, which is particularly important for larger transfers.
As a Currencies Direct customer, you’ll have your own account manager. Their role is to understand your needs and use their currency exchange expertise to help you get the best deal.
They’re also on hand to provide guidance and support if you ever have any questions or concerns, and they’re always happy to help.
What’s more, with branches scattered across Portugal, we’re never far away when you need us.
Sending money to and from Portugal should be simple. With us it is.
Online, via our app, over the phone or in branch - it only takes a few minutes.
We'll help you pick the right time to move your money so you secure a great rate.
Via bank transfer, debit card or your wallet balance.
We'll get the currency where it needs to be swiftly and securely.
When sending large sums overseas, timing the market right can make all the difference. That’s why we work hard to help you find the best time to transfer.
Fix the exchange rate in advance and protect your future transfer from negative market movements.
Target an exchange rate higher than the current level. Your transfer will trigger automatically when the rate is hit.
If you set a rate alert, you’ll receive an instant notification when the market moves to your target rate.
Exchange currencies while the rate is strong and hold it in our digital wallets until you need it.
Sign up for daily insights from our currency analysts, keeping you up to date with the latest market movements.
View live exchange rates anytime, anywhere, with the Currencies Direct app.
Customer stories
"I needed to send the proceeds of a property sale in Portugal to my UK bank account. Their website was very easy to use, their representatives patiently described the options I had, and they kept me informed every step of the way. Excellent!"
Your security is our priority. We have measures in place to keep your funds safe, and we’re here to help you protect yourself from fraud. There are important steps you must take to protect yourself from fraudsters, including checking that your payee is genuine and that their account details are correct.
Send money to 120 countries in 40+ currencies.
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
Spain
France
Italy
South Africa
Germany
Ireland
Portugal
Sweden
United Arab Emirates
Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Canadian dollar
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Japanese yen
South African rand
UAE dirham
Norwegian krone
Swedish krona
Danish krone
Speak to an expert about your large transfer requirements today.
We’re authorised by the FCA in the UK, and by the Bank of Spain in the EU. We also operate segregated client accounts and hold the highest credit rating with Dun & Bradstreet, so you can rest easy in the knowledge that your funds will be in safe hands.
The rate you'll typically see when you do a general search is the ‘interbank rate' – the wholesale rate at which banks, and major financial institutions, buy and sell currency. This isn't available to individuals or most companies.
At Currencies Direct, we buy currency in bulk at wholesale prices and pass the savings on to you as customers via competitive exchange rates. The exchange rate we quote to customers consists of a base or reference rate plus a variable margin. We keep the margin – it’s our return for doing the exchange.
The exchange rate changes every few seconds, but once we agree a rate with you that's the rate you'll get.
We buy currency in bulk at wholesale rates not available to companies or individuals. We add a variable margin, payable by the customer, before selling the currency on at rates that are typically more competitive than the banks. We keep the margin – it’s our return for doing the exchange.
For most transfers there are no fees, however there may be fees applied when using our Batchpay service.
Whatever works for you – app, online, or talking to one of our experts over the phone or in person. And you can pay for your transfer by bank transfer or debit card.
How long a currency transfer takes depends on the currency, destination and receiving bank. Funds are typically transferred within 24 hours or within no more than two working days.
Our competitive exchange rates and lack of transfer fees mean more of your money reaches its intended destination without unnecessary deductions. Additionally, our expert currency specialists can provide guidance on timing your transactions to take advantage of favourable exchange rate movements, potentially saving you even more.
The minimum and maximum transfer limits vary depending on whether you're conducting your transfer online or over the phone. If arranging a payment through our online platform, you can transfer a minimum of £10 and a maximum of £50,000 (or your currency equivalent).
If you need to transfer more than that, our team can provide personalised assistance to meet your specific needs. There's no upper limit on how much you can transfer.
We strive to offer you the most competitive exchange rates possible, which is why we continuously monitor the market to ensure that our rates remain favourable for our clients.
Currency transfer times vary between currencies and countries and can take anything from a few seconds to three working days.
£50 for you, £50 for your friends when you refer them to Currencies Direct.
*Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Cards provided to EEA residents are issued by Transact Payments Malta Limited and cards provided to UK residents are issued by Transact Payments Limited pursuant to licences by Mastercard International. Transact Payments Malta Limited is duly authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority as a Financial Institution under the Financial Institution Act 1994. Registration number C 91879. Transact Payments Limited is authorised and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. In the UK electronic money is issued by Currencies Direct Ltd which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900669). In the EU electronic money is issued by Currencies Direct Spain, E.D.E., S.L. which is authorised by the Bank of Spain as an Electronic Money Institution under Law 21/2011 of 26 July and Royal Decree 778/2012 of 4 May (Registration No: 6716).
