Send Money from the UK to the Philippines
Compare current GBP → PHP rates from 17+ providers. No hidden fees.
Why People Send Money UK → Philippines
The UK has over 200,000 Filipino residents — healthcare workers, domestic workers, and professionals. Regular remittances support families back home, fund education, and build properties. The Philippines is one of the world's top remittance-receiving countries, with strong banking and mobile wallet infrastructure.
Pro Tip: GCash delivery is faster than bank transfer
Many providers allow you to send directly to GCash, the Philippines' most popular mobile wallet. GCash delivery is often completed within hours versus 1–3 days for bank transfers — and is typically free for the recipient.
How to send money from UK to Philippines
- Check GBP→PHP rates and delivery options: Compare our live table. For Philippines transfers, also check if your provider supports GCash — many recipients strongly prefer it over bank deposits for speed and convenience.
- Register with your provider: Sign up using a UK passport or driving licence. WorldRemit have strong Philippines support and simple onboarding. Most KYC checks complete in under 5 minutes.
- Enter Philippine bank or GCash details: For bank transfers: account number and bank name (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, UnionBank, etc.). For GCash: the recipient's 11-digit GCash mobile number. No IBAN required.
- Choose your payment method: UK Faster Payments (bank transfer) is free and fast. Debit card payments add 1–2% but may be slightly faster on the sending side. Most providers process Philippine-bound transfers within the same business day.
- Confirm and notify your recipient: Share the transfer reference with your recipient. WorldRemit sends automatic SMS updates to Philippine mobile numbers. For GCash delivery, recipients get an instant app notification.
What to know
GCash has 90 million users
GCash is the Philippines' dominant digital wallet with over 90 million registered users — making it one of the most widely adopted fintech products in the world relative to population. If your recipient has GCash (most urban Filipinos do), sending to GCash is faster than a bank transfer and often preferred. You only need their GCash-registered mobile number.
Philippine bank accounts use simple account numbers
Unlike European IBANs, Philippine banks use simple 10–12 digit account numbers. There is no national IBAN system. You need the account number plus the bank name. For Wise transfers, you may also need the bank's SWIFT code — recipients can find this on their bank's website or app.
No tax on remittances received in the Philippines
The Philippine government does not tax personal remittances received from abroad. This is deliberate policy to encourage overseas Filipino workers to send money home through official channels. Recipients don't need to declare small regular family support transfers for tax purposes.
WorldRemit are the two strongest providers for UK→Philippines, primarily because both support GCash delivery which most Filipino recipients prefer. Wise supports Philippine bank transfers at competitive mid-market rates but does not yet support GCash. Western Union covers cash pickup at over 12,000 locations across the Philippines. For amounts above £1,000, Wise is usually the most cost-effective for direct bank-to-bank transfers.
FAQs
How long does a transfer from UK to Philippines take?
GCash and PayMaya deliveries are typically completed within 1–3 hours. Bank transfers to Philippine accounts take 1–3 business days. Cash pickup through Western Union or Palawan Express is usually available within minutes.
Which provider is best for GBP to PHP transfers?
WorldRemit lead for GCash and mobile wallet delivery. Wise is best for direct bank transfers at the lowest cost. Compare current rates in our table above — the best provider depends on your amount and delivery preference.
Does WorldRemit support GCash from the UK?
Yes. WorldRemit supports GCash as a payout method from the UK. Select mobile wallet as your delivery option and enter the recipient's 11-digit GCash number. Delivery is typically within 1–3 hours.
Can I send money to a Philippine bank account from the UK?
Yes. Major banks — BDO, BPI, Metrobank, UnionBank, Landbank — are supported by most providers. You need the account number and bank name. Wise also requires the bank's SWIFT code.
What is the cheapest way to send money from UK to Philippines?
For GCash delivery: WorldRemit or WorldRemit are typically cheapest for amounts under £500. For bank transfers: Wise is usually the best value for larger amounts. Avoid UK bank SWIFT transfers — fees of £15–£25 plus 3–4% exchange markup can cost over £50 on a £500 transfer.
Is there a limit on how much I can send from UK to Philippines?
Most providers allow £10,000–£30,000 per transaction for verified accounts. For larger amounts (property purchases, investments), notify your provider in advance and have documentation ready. The Philippines has no tax on incoming personal remittances.