How do I transfer my savings to Euros?

Jamessurfing

Hi I am planning to move to Spain.
and obviously worried about falling value of ££££!!!!
What is the best way to transfer some savings a few thousand, to Euros?
I posted here before and was told an offshore account is best, but its expensive.

Any other way that I can temporarlily put money into Euros? What about Forex? Can I withdraw it in Euros when I settle in Spain?
What about just taking out travellers cheques then withdrawing money in Spain with as little commission then putting it into a bank when I move there?

As I am pretty sure I want to live in Spain, euro falling against the pound is not a concern whereas the likely continued fall of the £ against the Euro is....

Perhaps I should just splurge my savings on sports equipment I want, lol.:p

Many thanks....

Any advie would be great.

agsnu

http://www.citibank.co.uk/personal/banking/international/eurocurrent.htm?merchant=citi

simpywimpy

that would have been ideal for me but it doesn't include france. Anyone any ideas for me please?

meunier

Well, you could invest in Akbank --- or, at a stretch, ING Direct (favoured on the open market by one 'A. Darling' - then desparate) -- stir and mix - and wait but a very short while -- and when they go bust --- as bust we can now safely believe they might -- you will get your reimbursement in but a month (the Dutch were very quick off the mark with Icesave NV remember) it will be, --- AH, YES, YOU GUESSED IT, SIMPYWIMPY, ---- in Euros ---- and, who knows, the pound may well have risen on that day - and your interim interest will have contributed towards any potential losses in exchange!!

Oh, you are a clever girl: An original thinker!

gozomark

if they go bust, and its a £ account you have, you will be compensated in £

meunier

Ah, what a relief. That picture of the dear queen is one of the few marks of stability we can count on .... until, of course, either she or the pound dies ...

Until then ....

we can bank on it, huh!

?????

Jamessurfing

I hope the pound will not fall a lot, but I for one want to cover myself as I want to move soon.

Thanks for links, Citigroup....hmmmm.....arent they a bit in a spot of bother? Or have they been bailed out (enough). I dont beleive the pound will go up soon. I am worried it will crash a lot more.

If I just buy some travellers cheques and get 0 commision over there (some places do that), is that illegal if I am going to put the money in a Spanish bank!!???!!!

Again, anyone know if FOREX is ok? Thanks!

Jamessurfing

Ok, I was still wondering, if anyone knows many thanks!
I did some googling on Citigroup and I dont want to currently put money into that.......
My bank Llloyds doesnt seem to have anything,
what about Abbey? Its part of the Santander group, I cant see anything on their site but will contact them to see, tell them my plan to move to Spain....

Jamessurfing

Ok I found Llloyds do this-
http://www.lloydstsb-offshore.com/international/internationalaccount/monthlysubscriptioncomparison
Seems ok and first 3 months are free and only £100 needed, so by then one should have set up a bank account in Spain etc.