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The cheapest way to send money from the UK to the Philippines is usually Wise or Remitly, paid for by bank transfer. Both can pay straight into GCash or Maya, a Philippine bank account or a cash pickup point. When we checked, Wise was cheapest on £1,000 at standard rates. Remitly was better for a new customer’s first transfer.
Below: real quotes, how to choose between wallet, bank and cash pickup, recipient-side limits, and the scams that target families of overseas Filipino workers.
The quick answer
| If you want… | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The most pesos at standard rates | Wise | Mid-market rate and a fee of about 0.6% on £1,000 when we checked |
| The best first transfer | Remitly | Promotional rate on the first £1,000 for new customers (checked November 2026) |
| GCash or Maya payout | Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit | All offer mobile wallet delivery |
| Cash pickup or home delivery | Remitly, Western Union, WorldRemit | Big pawnshop and agent networks. Remitly also lists home delivery |
| Large sums to your own account | Wise, Xe | Higher per-transfer limits to bank accounts |
What it actually costs: a worked example
The fee is only part of the price. The rest is the exchange-rate markup, the gap between the real mid-market rate and the rate you get. A “zero fee” transfer can still cost more if the rate is worse.
Worked example: sending £1,000 (quotes checked 5 November 2026)
The mid-market rate was about ₱84.77 per £1, so £1,000 was “worth” roughly ₱84,770.
| Provider and payout | Upfront fee | Rate used | Recipient gets | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise to a bank account (paid by bank transfer) | £5.79 | Mid-market (84.77) | ₱84,277 | about £5.79 (0.58%) |
| Remitly to GCash/Maya, standard rate | £0 | 83.91 | ₱83,910 | about £10.15 (1.0%) |
| Remitly to a bank or cash pickup, standard rate | £1.99 | 83.91 | ₱83,910 | about £12.14 (1.2%) |
| Remitly, new-customer promo | £0–£1.99 | 86.15 on the first £1,000 | ₱86,150 | Better than mid-market (promotion) |
| Illustrative bank with a 3% margin | £0 | about 82.23 | about ₱82,230 | about £30 (3%) |
The bank line is illustrative. Banks rarely publish their margin, so ask how many pesos will arrive and compare. Our transfer cost calculator does the maths.
From our checks: Wise’s fee on £1,000 rose from £5.79 to £8.93 when paid by debit card instead of bank transfer, and credit cards cost much more. Remitly’s £1.99 fee for bank, cash pickup and home delivery was the same at £250, £500 and £1,000, while wallet payouts were free.
Our pick: Use Remitly for your first transfer to get the promotional rate. After that, compare it with Wise each time. At standard rates Wise usually delivered more pesos in our checks, while Remitly offers cash pickup and home delivery.
The main providers compared
Wise
Wise converts at the mid-market rate with a clear fee. It pays into Philippine bank accounts (BDO, BPI, Metrobank and others) and mobile wallets including GCash, Maya, GrabPay, ShopeePay and others. Wise says transfers up to ₱50,000 arrive instantly after conversion, with larger bank transfers usually taking one to two working days. Limits per transfer are ₱490,000 to a bank account and ₱49,999 to a mobile wallet (checked November 2026). For bank payouts you need the recipient’s full name, bank name and account number.
Remitly
Remitly offers bank deposit, mobile wallet (GCash, Maya), cash pickup and home delivery. Partners listed include BDO, BPI, PNB, Security Bank, RCBC, Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, LBC and USSC. New customers get a promotional rate on the first £1,000 when paying by “Easy bank transfer” (checked November 2026; one per customer, limited time). It says it refunds its fee if a transfer arrives late.
WorldRemit
WorldRemit offers bank transfer, mobile wallet, cash pickup and mobile load (phone top-ups, which it says are fee-free). Its fee depends on the delivery method rather than the amount, and it has a first-transfer enhanced rate on selected routes. It is worth a quote, especially for cash pickup.
Western Union
Western Union has a long-established network for cash pickup across the islands. Pricing varies with amount, payment and payout method, and its rate is often less generous than the apps above. See our Post Office and Western Union guide.
Revolut and Xe
Revolut can send pesos to bank accounts. Standard-plan users get fee-free exchange up to £1,000 a month, then a 1% fair-usage fee, with an extra markup at weekends (checked November 2026). Xe is an option for larger transfers, for example towards property, so compare its quote with Wise.
Your UK bank
A SWIFT transfer from your UK bank works, but it is usually the costliest option once the margin and any intermediary charges are counted. See how Lloyds and Halifax and NatWest handle it.
Choosing a delivery method
GCash or Maya wallet. Fast and convenient for everyday support. You need the recipient’s registered mobile number and name exactly as on the wallet. The recipient’s wallet must be fully verified to receive larger amounts. Wallets have their own monthly incoming and balance limits, which depend on the verification level and can change, so ask the recipient to check theirs in the app before you send a big amount.
Bank deposit. Better for larger sums, savings or paying bills. You need the full name, bank and account number.
Cash pickup. Good for relatives without a bank account or wallet, or in provinces where pawnshop branches are easier to reach than banks. They’ll need valid government ID and the reference number.
Home delivery. Remitly lists cash delivery to the door in some areas. It’s useful for elderly relatives, but check availability and fees for the address.
Recipient-side points worth knowing
- Name matching matters. Names on transfers must match the wallet, account or ID. Filipino naming conventions (middle names, maiden names) are a common cause of rejected transfers, so copy the name exactly.
- Limits are set by the wallet or bank under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rules and anti-money laundering requirements. GCash says it may change limits to follow BSP regulations.
- UK side: gifts and inheritance tax. Regular gifts to family from your surplus income, and up to £3,000 a year under the annual exemption, are normally outside UK inheritance tax. Large one-off gifts may count towards your estate if you die within seven years. See GOV.UK’s guidance on gifts.
How to send money to the Philippines from the UK: step by step
- Pick the payout. Wallet (get the GCash or Maya number), bank (name, bank, account number) or cash pickup (name exactly as on their ID).
- Compare quotes. Enter the same amount in Wise and Remitly. Compare pesos received, not just fees.
- Verify your identity. Upload ID and, if asked, proof of address before the money is urgent.
- Enter recipient details carefully. Double-check the mobile number for wallet payouts. A wrong digit can send money to a stranger.
- Pay by bank transfer. Usually the cheapest way to fund it.
- Share the reference. For cash pickup, the recipient needs the reference number and valid ID.
Safety and scam warnings
- Use FCA-regulated providers. Check any unfamiliar firm on the FCA Firm Checker. Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Western Union and Revolut are all regulated in the UK.
- Romance and “balikbayan box” scams. Scammers build online relationships, then ask for money for customs fees, flights or emergencies, or claim a parcel is held until a fee is paid. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Fake relatives and new numbers. Messages from “family” on a new number asking for urgent help are a classic trick. Call the person on the number you already have.
- Protect OTPs and MPINs. Tell family never to share GCash or Maya one-time PINs. Genuine staff won’t ask for them.
- Job offers that involve moving money are money-mule recruitment. The FCA warns this can be a serious criminal offence.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your provider or bank immediately, then Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040.
Bottom line
For UK-to-Philippines transfers, start with Remitly’s first-transfer promotion, then compare Wise and Remitly each time, and pay by bank transfer. Use GCash or Maya for everyday support, a bank account for larger sums, and cash pickup where it’s genuinely easier for your family. For more ways to save, see our cheapest way to send money abroad guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from the UK to the Philippines?
At standard rates, Wise was cheapest on £1,000 when we checked, with Remitly close behind and cheaper on a new customer's first £1,000 thanks to a promotional rate. Both beat typical bank margins by a wide margin.
Can I send money from the UK straight to GCash or Maya?
Yes. Wise, Remitly and WorldRemit all offer mobile wallet payouts, and Wise and Remitly both name GCash and Maya. Wise caps wallet transfers at ₱49,999 each, and the wallet's own limits also apply (checked November 2026).
How long does it take to send money to the Philippines?
Wallet and many bank payouts arrive within minutes once the provider has your money. Wise says transfers up to ₱50,000 are instant after conversion, while larger bank transfers usually take one to two working days.
Which is better for my family, GCash or a bank deposit?
GCash or Maya is usually quicker and easier for everyday support, while a bank account is better for larger sums because wallets have lower balance and incoming limits.
Can I send cash for collection at Cebuana or M Lhuillier?
Yes. Remitly lists Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, LBC and other cash pickup partners, and Western Union and WorldRemit also offer cash pickup. The recipient needs valid ID and the reference number.