30k euros how to change to sterling and when?

[phucks1976]

I have just been gifted 30000 Euros, what is the best way to change this to sterling (ie getting the best rate with least commission) can you just transfer from an Irish account to a UK sterling account ?

Also I know you need a crystal ball but what are opinions on the Euro rate in the next few months as it is at it's weakest in years at the moment?

I can only get 2% interest in Ireland on the money (I don't need it for anything presently) so should I just leave it there for a while?

Many thanks for your advice / opinions.

[The jiffle king]

If you do a transfer within a bank, you usually will not get a competitive rate. When it was 1.10 per pound, I was offered 1.17. I use UKforex and they have been very good. You get a much closer rate to the real rate and the transaction clears in just a few days

If keeping it in Euro's (which I am not at the minute), then choose your bank carefully

[Minel]

i use xe.com, good service and very quick.

as for the exchange rate, the pound is on the up vs the euro so i'd probably change the lot now if I were you.

[Sir Bagalot]

Assuming the money is in Ireland.

I've used transfermate.com in the past and was very happy with the service. paid into their account at bank of Ireland, called them to confirm payment, and they transferred to my UK account that day.

A word of warning. Transfer using a bank and the rate is much worse but your money if protected, use the likes of transfermate and the rate is much much better but during the transfer your money isn't protected.