HSBC Large Transfers 2025 Guide: the How-to, Limits & Fees
HSBC is a very popular bank in the UK and internationally, supporting millions of personal and business customers worldwide. If you have an HSBC account in the UK you’ll be able to send international payments around the world, with variable fees, limits and delivery times depending on the transfer type.
This guide to HSBC transfers looks at the transfer limits, fees and how to get started. We’ll also introduce a couple of HSBC alternatives like Wise and OFX, which you may want to compare before sending your high value international payment.
International transfer providers like Wise and OFX offer fast digital transfer services with low fees, high limits and a great exchange rate.
Quick summary: HSBC transfer limits 💡
HSBC offers ways to send money overseas online, in app, in a branch and by phone
The amount you can send, and the fee you pay depend on the account you hold and the details of the transfer
Online and mobile payments have a limit of 50,000 GBP, while phone payments are limited to 10,000 GBP for standard customers
Premier customers can make higher value transfers of up to 10 million GBP by phone
If you exceed the phone or digital payment limit for your specific account you may still be able to arrange your transfer in a branch
☀️ HSBC daily transfer limit | No set limit - very high value payments may need to be arranged in a branch if they exceed online limits |
💻 HSBC online transfer limit | 50,000 GBP per day |
⬇️ HSBC receiving limit | Not specified - there’s not usually a limit on the value of payments you can receive to HSBC |
HSBC large transfers pros | HSBC large transfers cons |
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✅ In branch payments may not have limits ✅ Some international transfers have no HSBC fees ✅ EUR payments in the EEA usually arrive on the next day after sending ✅ Lots of different payment methods available | ❌ Exchange rates are likely to include a fee ❌5 GBP transfer fees apply for most customers on payments outside the EEA ❌ Transfers outside of the EEA can take 4 days or more to arrive |
Can you send high value international transfers with HSBC?
Yes, HSBC has certain limits on the value of payments made online, in app and by phone, but in most cases you’ll be able to send a higher value payment in person if you need to. The limits which apply to your account might depend on your relationship with HSBC - Premier and Private Banking customers can have higher limits than standard account customers.
HSBC high amount transfer fees 💰
There’s no HSBC international transfer fee for a Premier customer, Private Banking customer, or when using a Global Money Account. There’s also no fee to send a payment in EUR within the EEA.
If you have a standard HSBC account and want to send EUR outside the EEA or any other currency in or outside the UK, there’s a fee of 5 GBP which increases to 17 GBP if you want to arrange the payment by post. In addition to the fees for international payments outside of the EEA you may decide to cover the intermediary costs which are usually deducted from the value of the transfer as it is processed.
HSBC exchange rate for international transfers
HSBC sets exchange rates for international payments, which may include a markup. You can see the rate which will apply to your transfer when you set up the payment in the HSBC app, online, by phone or in a branch. Compare this rate to the mid-market rate, which is the one you’ll find on Google, to see if a markup has been added.
Markups can be costly when sending high value payments. As this is a percentage charge, the absolute amount you pay can end up being far higher than the transfer fee itself, even if it’s tricky to spot.
Is HSBC safe for large amount transfers? 🔐
HSBC is an established provider which is considered safe to use, even for large amounts. Accounts are secured, and if you ever have a problem you’ll be able to ask for support by phone or in a branch.
HSBC transfer limits
The HSBC transfer limits which apply to your outgoing payment depend on how you arrange the transfer and the type of account you hold with HSBC. Here’s a summary.
Transfer arranged: | HSBC transfer limit |
Online or in the HSBC app | 50,000 GBP per day |
By phone | 10,000 GBP per day for standard customers Premier customers can send up to 10 million GBP |
In a branch | Usually unlimited |
*Details correct at time of research - 22nd July 2025
Alternatives to HSBC with higher transfer limits
If you find you hit a payment limit with HSBC, you can choose an alternative provider. Specialist money transfer services can offer fast payments, high limits and low fees - and you’ll also be able to get everything arranged right from your phone without needing to visit a physical location. Here are some alternative providers you may want to compare, to help you pick the best option for your specific needs.
Providers | 🎯 International transfer limits | 💡 Transfer methods | 💰 Transfer fees & exchange rates |
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HSBC | 50,000 GBP per day online and in app | Send online, in app, by phone and in a branch | No fee for EUR payments in the EEA, 5 GBP for other transfers. Exchange rates may include a markup |
Up to 20 million GBP* | Send online and in app | Low variable fees, mid-market exchange rates | |
Unlimited | Send online, in app and by phone | No transfer fee, exchange rates may include a markup | |
Up to 375,000 GBP | Send online and in app | Variable fees, exchange rates may include a markup |
*Some other limits may apply depending on the details of the transfer. **Details correct at time of research - 22nd July 2025
Wise
Wise is a specialist in international transfers and multi-currency accounts for personal and business customers. Wise offers low cost currency conversion and cross border payments to 140+ countries.
Wise transfer limits are high. Depending on how you pay for your transfer you may be able to send as much as 20 million GBP from the UK.
There are also automatic fee discounts on high value payments over 20,000 GBP, either in one transfer or in multiple transfers within a month.
Wise also has a dedicated support team for high value payments.
Send payments to 140+ countries, in a broad range of international currencies
Currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees for payments
Discounted fees on higher value transfers, or if you make multiple transfers in a month which aggregate over 20,000 GBP in value
🎯 Wise pricing & limits | |
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Wise transfer limits | Up to 20 million GBP for transfers from the UK. More information here: Wise GBP transfers. |
Transfer fees | Low, variable fees based on the currency, with discounts on high value transfers |
Exchange rates | Mid-market rates |
Incoming transfer limits | Often unlimited - limits may vary depending on the currency received |
Incoming transfer fees | Low fees apply for incoming wire and SWIFT payments, depending on the currency received |
*Details correct at time of research - 22nd July 2025
OFX
OFX is well known for great customer service, and offers a 24/7 phone service to customers around the world.
OFX personal and business customers can make international transfers in 50+ currencies, and access currency risk management products too.
Payments are usually unlimited, with no transfer fee - an exchange rate markup will apply.
Send to a huge range of countries, in 50+ currencies
24/7 personal phone service
One off and recurring international transfers available
🎯 OFX pricing & limits | |
---|---|
OFX transfer limits | No outgoing transfer limit |
Transfer fees | No OFX fee |
Exchange rates | Exchange rates may include a markup |
Incoming transfer limits | OFX does not offer an account to receive payments |
Incoming transfer fees | OFX does not offer an account to receive payments |
*Details correct at time of research - 22nd July 2025
Xe Money Transfer
Xe Money Transfer lets you send a payment online or in app to 130+ countries from the UK, for personal or business use. Xe has a fixed limit of 375,000 GBP or the currency equivalent per personal payment. This limit does not apply on business transfers.
Send up to 375,000 GBP in a single online payment
Payments available to 130+ countries
Pay by bank transfer or with a card
🎯 Xe pricing & limits | |
---|---|
Xe transfer limits | Up to 375,000 GBP |
Transfer fees | Variable fees based on the currency |
Exchange rates | Exchange rates may include a markup |
Incoming transfer limits | Xe does not offer an account to receive payments |
Incoming transfer fees | Xe does not offer an account to receive payments |
*Details correct at time of research - 22nd July 2025
How long do large transfers take with HSBC?
If you’re sending euros in the EEA, your money should arrive in the recipient’s account on the next working day after you send it. For transfers to other destinations or in other currencies, the money can take 4 working days or more to arrive.
It’s important to note that HSBC has cut off times which vary by currency. If you miss this cut off time, your payment will not start to be processed until the next working day which can add in extra delays.
How to send a large amount transfer with HSBC
If you’re sending a payment of 50,000 GBP or less, you can arrange your HSBC international transfer online. Here’s what to do:
Log on to HSBC online banking
Select 'Pay and Transfer', then choose the account you want to make the payment from
Enter the payment details and follow the on-screen instructions
Authorise the transaction using your Secure Key
Once you have made a payment to a recipient online, you can then also set up your next transfer to that recipient in the HSBC mobile app by following the same steps.
If you're sending a higher value payment and exceed your digital transfer limit you’ll need to visit an HSBC branch to process your transfer with the help of a staff member.
Information needed to send large amounts of money with HSBC
To send a payment with HSBC you’ll need to gather all of the recipient’s banking information so the money can be safely deposited. The exact details needed may vary a bit depending on the country and currency you’re sending to, but can include the following:
📁 Required information to send large amounts with HSBC |
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Is it possible to increase HSBC transfer limits?
When you manage your money online and in app with HSBC you can choose your own daily transfer limit, to the maximum of 50,000 GBP. If you’d like, you can set a lower daily limit for yourself for security reasons, or you can use the 50,000 GBP limit that’s preset.
How to increase HSBC transfer limits
You can not increase your HSBC limit for digital payments beyond the 50,000 GBP limit - but you can change your limit to select a lower amount by taking the following steps:
Log on to the HSBC UK Mobile Banking app
Tap on 'Pay', then tap 'Manage payment limits'
Select the account you want to change the limit for
Enter the payment limit you want to set, then tap 'Change limit'
How to receive large transfers with HSBC
There’s usually no limit on the amount of a payment you can receive to HSBC. If you’re receiving a payment in EUR from the EEA there’s no incoming payment fee.
For all other incoming payments there’s an HSBC free of 5 GBP.
Alternatives to HSBC for receiving large payments
Receiving a payment to HSBC may mean paying a fee. Your money will be converted from the foreign currency to GBP to be deposited.
If you’d prefer to receive an international payment in a foreign currency without conversion you may prefer to use an alternative provider like Wise or Revolut.
Receive payments with account details in 20+ currencies, often with no limit on the incoming transfer amount. | |
Revolut Account review: | Receive payments in GBP with local account information, and SWIFT transfers in around 25 other supported currencies. |
HSBC business payments limits
The standard HSBC business payments limit for online transfers is 100,000 GBP per day.
If you need to send more you may be able to do so by phone or in a branch - the exact limits may vary depending on the specific HSBC business account you hold.
HSBC customer support for high amount transfers
You can get help with your transfer in app, by phone and in person. Here are your HSBC customer support options:
Call HSBC customer support on 03457 404 404
Open an in app chat with HSBC customer support by logging into your account
Visit a branch in person to ask for HSBC customer support
Conclusion: Does HSBC have transfer limits?
HSBC has transfer limits on payments made online, in app and by phone. Standard digital payment limits are set at 50,000 GBP per day. If you want to send more than this you can often still do so, but you’ll need to visit a branch in person to arrange the transfer.
If you’d prefer to send a payment over 50,000 GBP digitally, you might be better off using a different service such as Wise or OFX. Both allow you to set up a high value transfer online or in app which can be more convenient than waiting in line in a physical bank branch. Compare your options with different services to help you decide which is the best fit for your unique needs.
HSBC international transfer limits FAQs
How much can I transfer with HSBC internationally online?
Standard digital payment limits with HSBC are set at 50,000 GBP per day. If your payment is of a higher value you might be better off using a different service such as Wise or OFX.
What is the maximum amount you can transfer abroad with HSBC?
There’s usually no limit on the amount you can send overseas with HSBC in a branch. The exact limits which apply to your account may vary depending on your relationship with HSBC and the specific account type you have.
How can I increase the HSBC maximum transfer limit?
You can not increase the daily digital payment limit beyond 50,000 GBP with HSBC. However, you can usually send more in branch - or choose a different service like Wise, Xe Money Transfer or OFX for a high value digital payment.