The euro rate is hovering around a 6-year high with exchange rates ranging from 1.14 to 1.19 euros to the pound based on our comparison of 17 UK currency suppliers.
You can see today's latest euro rates and compare the best deals on our euro exchange rate comparisons page.
Should I buy euros now or wait until later?
Did you know that over the last 10 years the best day to buy euros was 17 July 2015?*
No, we didn't either until a few weeks after it happened. That's the trouble with fluctuating exchange rates; it's virtually impossible to predict when the best rate will appear.
What we can say with more confidence is how the euro rate looks today compared to the recent past, and whether it makes sense to buy some euros now based on current performance, or wait a little longer in the hopes of getting a better deal.
This is what the euro has been doing since June 2016:
As you can see, the rate is hovering at levels we haven't seen for six years. The euro hit a high of 1.204 on 6 March 2022, that's 13% higher than the low of 1.065 it hit on 1 August 2019. It might not sound like a lot, but in real terms if you were buying £1000 worth of euros you get around €139 more today compared to a few years ago.
The chart shows us that the euro rate has been increasing steadily each month since April 2021. In fact, right now the euro rate is almost exactly the same as it was just before the first UK coronavirus lockdown in February 2020.
Of course the rate could creep higher over the coming weeks and months. There are many variables at play in determining the GBP/EUR exchange rate and I'm not a currency analyst so I won't pretend to have any meaningful insight. Instead I'll report what a few experts think:
- Andrew Gibson at keycurrency.co.uk believes the pound will remain strong against the euro this year because the UK economy is expected to recover faster from COVID than the Eurozone, Brexit concerns have reduced for the pound and the invasion of Ukraine has added risks to the euro.
- Ryan Hogg at capital.com thinks the Eurozone's dependence on Russian oil and gas will weaken the euro relative to the pound which will lead to an increase in the GBP/EUR rate in the short to medium term.
- A Wallet Investor forecast predicts the euro rate will hit a high of 1.21 by the end of 2022.
- A forecast poll by FX Street records the average sentiment of 23 banks and financial analysts as being bullish on the GBP/EUR rate over the next 4 months. Their average rate prediction is 1.195.
Where is the best place to buy euros?
When it comes to buying euros, 'where' can be more important than 'when'. There can be a significant difference between buying euros online and buying in the high street, even among currency suppliers that offer both options. For example, the Post Office and many supermarkets will offer a lower rate if you walk in to their store and buy over the counter compared to if you had reserved your currency online with them first.
The golden rule is: always check to see if you can buy or reserve your currency online first, never turn unannounced and buy over the counter unless you have no choice.
So, who has the best euro rates? From best to worst:
- Online suppliers such as Travel FX, Sterling and Currency Online Group always have the best euro rates in the UK.
- Supermarkets are next in line. Most supermarkets offer a home delivery service for euros, but if you want to collect in person don't forget to reserve online first or you may be given a lower rate.
- The Post Office usually ranks under supermarkets for euros. Not the best deals but not the worst either - make sure you order online first though to benefit from their online rate.
- Banks offer very poor exchange rates. You should avoid your bank for exchanging currency; almost any other bureau de change will offer you a better deal.
- Unsurprisingly, airports offer the worst exchange rates in the UK. If you've left it until you arrive at the airport to buy your currency, you're going to get really stung.
Half now, half later
Ultimately, unless you're buying upwards of £10,000 worth of euros, the daily exchange rate fluctuations won't make a huge difference to the amount of currency you'll end up with so there isn't much upside to waiting longer for a better deal.
If you have time before you travel and want to maximise your chances of getting the best exchange rate, you could buy half of your euros now and the other half just before you need them. That way you'll still lock-in today's good exchange rate whilst also leaving yourself open to a potential increase (or decrease) in the future.
You can compare the best euro exchange rates from the UK's biggest currency suppliers on our euro exchange rate comparisons page.
*The euro rate was a respectable 1.422 on 17 July 2015.