Buying
British Pound (GBP).

How GBP buying actually works

Wise quotes the mid-market rate explicitly with an itemised fee; Revolut and Bunq offer free FX within monthly allowances on their free tiers (typically capped at €1,000) before a 0.5–1% spread applies. Trade Republic doesn't offer manual FX but provides GBP-denominated brokerage if you're buying for investment rather than for spending. Note: 'buying' for spending (multi-currency wallet) and 'buying' for holding (brokerage settlement currency) have very different optimal providers.

Watchouts and hidden costs

Weekend FX markup of 1% on Revolut Standard and similar tiers. Some neobanks (notably consumer-bank challenger products) quote a rate that's 1.5–2% off mid-market — verify against the live mid-market rate on a reference source (Wise's rate page, XE) before committing. For amounts above £85,000, verify FSCS coverage at the destination institution.

What is the mid-market rate when buying GBP?

The mid-market rate is the midpoint between the buy and sell rates at major currency markets — the rate Reuters, Bloomberg, and Google Finance display. Wise quotes this rate explicitly; most consumer banks add 1–3% spread on top. For British Pound specifically, monitor the EUR/GBP pair on a reference source before executing.

How much GBP can I buy at the free tier of a neobank?

Revolut Standard and similar free-tier accounts typically allow €1,000/month of FX without spread; above that, a 0.5–1% spread applies. Bunq Free has similar caps. Wise has no monthly cap — every transaction is charged the disclosed transparent fee.

Do I pay tax on GBP I buy and hold?

Foreign-exchange holdings within a personal multi-currency wallet are not typically taxed in EU jurisdictions until you realise a gain (e.g., convert back to EUR at a higher rate). Many EU jurisdictions treat consumer FX gains differently from investment FX — verify with a local tax advisor for GBP holdings over a meaningful threshold.