How to send money to Romania from the UK

A simple, safe route to Romania-bound transfers

If you need to help family, pay a bill, or support a project in Romania, the good news is that sending money from the UK can be quick, low-cost and fully trackable. The challenge is working out the total price before you press send. Traditional banks often add high transfer fees and mark up the exchange rate, so the number you see in your app may not be what your recipient receives. Specialist services use local payment rails to keep fees low and delivery fast, and most now show the full cost upfront in pounds.

This guide walks you through the options in plain English. You will see who is cheapest for common amounts, how to get instant delivery when it matters, where first-transfer deals can help you test a service for free, and the pitfalls to avoid. The aim is confidence. You will know the steps, the checks, and the exact costs before you send a single pound.

Who this helps

Whether you are sending a small gift, supporting family regularly, paying rent or tuition, or covering a one-off expense, this guide is for UK consumers who want safe, transparent and good-value transfers to Romania without wasting time or money.

What you are actually paying for

Every transfer has two main costs: the fee and the exchange rate. Some providers keep the fee low but take more in the rate. Others show a mid-market rate with a small, visible fee. Delivery speed also matters. Card-to-card transfers to Romanian Visa or Mastercard can arrive in seconds. Bank transfers may take longer, but can still be cost effective. Cash pickup is handy if the recipient does not use online banking and needs lei in hand swiftly.

As a sense check of current pricing for a £1,000 send: Revolut can be as low as £0.90 on certain plans for card transfers, Wise can be about £4.55 when funded from a Wise balance using the mid-market rate, and MoneyTO offers fee-free entry on your first two UK-to-Romania bank transfers. Ria often gives a £0 fee with the HELLORIA code on your first transfer, with cash pickup available at thousands of locations. Western Union provides broad in-person and online coverage, though the overall cost can vary by method and timing.

Step-by-step: from pounds to lei without the guesswork

Start by choosing how fast you need the money to arrive. If it is urgent, a card-to-card route to Romania can deliver in seconds. For larger or less urgent payments, a bank transfer using SEPA rails via a specialist can balance cost and speed.

Next, check the live total cost in the app before you commit. Look for the fee, the exchange rate, and the final RON amount your recipient will get. Avoid weekend surcharges where possible by sending on weekdays. If you are new to a provider, consider using a fee-free first transfer to test the process and delivery time.

Finally, complete verification and use the tracking tools. You will typically get a reference or code to share with your recipient. Popular services include app-based tracking, MTCN codes for Western Union, and PIN tracking for Ria. Keep screenshots until the money has arrived.

Tip: Always compare the total cost - fee plus exchange rate - not just the fee.

Why the right provider saves real money

Specialist services often use local account details in both the UK and Romania. This helps avoid international banking fees and the exchange rate padding frequently seen with high street banks. The savings add up, especially on regular transfers. For example, Wise shows the mid-market rate and a small, transparent fee, which means more of your money arrives as lei. Revolut can be extremely cheap for card sends, particularly on certain plans, with transfers landing in seconds. MoneyTO and Ria offer compelling first-transfer deals that let you test the waters at no or low cost before committing. Western Union offers broad coverage with online and in-person options that may suit cash-based needs.

If speed is essential, card transfers to Romanian Visa or Mastercard can complete in seconds, while SEPA Instant may deliver bank-to-bank payments rapidly when available. For non-urgent larger amounts, low-fee bank transfers keep costs down. Checking fees and timing in-app protects your budget and reduces stress.

Options at a glance

Fine print that makes a difference

Small print affects the final cost. Some providers add weekend or holiday surcharges, so sending midweek can save money. Card funding is usually the fastest, but can carry higher fees for large amounts, whereas bank transfers are cheaper yet slower. Check limits on how much you can send daily or monthly, and make sure the recipient name exactly matches their bank account to avoid delays. If compliance checks are triggered, expect to provide ID or proof of funds. Always copy tracking numbers carefully and share them securely. If your recipient needs cash, confirm their nearest pickup location and opening hours before you send.

Other ways to get money across

1. Use a specialist bank transfer with SEPA Instant where available for larger sums at low cost.
2. Send to a Romanian Visa or Mastercard using a card-to-card option for near-instant delivery.
3. Choose cash pickup through a network like Ria or Western Union if your recipient is unbanked.
4. Open a multi-currency account to hold GBP and convert to RON when rates are favourable.
5. Schedule transfers on weekdays to avoid potential weekend surcharges.
6. Fund from a balance where possible to reduce card processing costs.

Quick answers to common questions

• How fast can money arrive in Romania? Card-to-card transfers can land in seconds. Some bank transfers use SEPA Instant for rapid delivery. Standard bank routes may take from hours to a couple of days.

• What is the cheapest way to send £1,000? Using a provider that shows the mid-market rate with a small fee is typically cheapest. Wise is often around the £4 to £5 mark from balance. Revolut can be very low on certain plans.

• Are first-transfer deals worth it? Yes. MoneyTO offers zero fees on the first two bank transfers, and Ria often provides £0 fee with the HELLORIA code. They are useful risk-free trials to check speed and service.

• Is cash pickup still a good option? If your recipient is unbanked or needs funds urgently in person, cash pickup is practical. Compare total cost and ensure the pickup location is convenient and open.

• How do I avoid hidden charges? Compare the total in-app: fee plus exchange rate. Avoid weekend sends if surcharges apply, and consider funding from a balance to cut card fees.

How Switcha makes this easier

Switcha brings all the key numbers into one clear view. Tell us how much you want to send and how fast it needs to arrive, and we surface live estimates for fees, exchange rates and delivery times from trusted UK-ready providers. You will see which options offer first-transfer deals, which support instant card sends, and where SEPA Instant may help for bank routes. With plain English guidance and no jargon, we help you weigh speed against cost and choose a provider that fits your needs. Set alerts, save your favourites, and get a quick nudge if weekend pricing might raise your total.

Important note

This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice. Pricing and features change frequently. Always check the live fee, exchange rate and delivery estimate in the provider app before sending, and ensure transfers comply with UK and Romanian regulations.