We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Possible Euro account?

Is it possible to tell what currency a bank account is held in from the format of the sort code and account number?

We've been given a 6 digit sort code and an 8 digit account number to pay for a Greek holiday apartment rental, from a family we've rented from for several years and we totally trust. The account is with a UK bank.

If it was a Euro account rather than a Sterling account, would it follow the 6 digit, 8 digit format? Trying to work out if it makes more sense to pay them in Sterling rather than us pay a fee for transferring a Euro amount, and presumably them getting a conversion fee for converting back to Sterling if it is a Sterling account.  Can't get hold of the family member at the moment to check.


Make £2025 in 2025
Prolific £102.99, Octopoints £3.20, Tesco Clubcard challenges £60, Misc Sales £321
Total £487.19/£2025 24%

Make £2024 in 2024
Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44

Total £1410/£2024  70%

Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%



«1

Comments

  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 2,540 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    If its on the UK banking system, its a UK account, in GBP. Pay them like you would any other account in the UK.
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 5,636 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    You'd assume that they would prefer GDP. Then convert/transfer into EURO as much as is required. 
  • KathysBoy
    KathysBoy Posts: 256 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    edited 22 June 2024 at 5:04PM
    I had a Euro account with Barclays which had a 6 digit sorting code and an 8 digit account number. However, it would be normal to provide the account details as an IBAN which has a further 8 digits before quoting the sorting code and account. The first 8 digits identify the bank and the country. You cannot normally transfer euros unless you use the IBAN code.
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,066 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If I transfer money from my UK account to my Irish account I need both the IBAN & the BIC code (also known as a Swift code) It does not matter whether I am transferring £s or Euros.

    The IBAN has the account number & branch code identifier embedded in it
    The BIC identifies the bank chain.

    You've been given  details so I can only assume that they are happy with thatUK bank
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £136.4spent!!!
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,705 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thanks all, I've dug back on previous correspondence from several years ago when we paid to the same account and they said at that time it was a Sterling account, so will send Sterling
    Make £2025 in 2025
    Prolific £102.99, Octopoints £3.20, Tesco Clubcard challenges £60, Misc Sales £321
    Total £487.19/£2025 24%

    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44

    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%



  • HobgoblinBT
    HobgoblinBT Posts: 270 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts
    Non sterling bank accounts in the U.K. often have different sort codes to sterling accounts.  Try putting the sort code into Google and see if any reference in the address eg International branch appears.
  • DavidT67
    DavidT67 Posts: 482 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    la531983 said:
    If its on the UK banking system, its a UK account, in GBP. Pay them like you would any other account in the UK.
    UK bank accounts with regular Sort Codes and account numbers can be foreign currency accounts.  There's no way to tell from the IBAN what the default currency for an account is.

  • danny13579
    danny13579 Posts: 541 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Do a confirmation of payee of the name, sort code and account number. If it recognises the account it's a UK account in £. If it doesn't it's either a UK account in a different currency or a foreign account.
  • Do a confirmation of payee of the name, sort code and account number. If it recognises the account it's a UK account in £. If it doesn't it's either a UK account in a different currency or a foreign account.
    I've no idea if it's an outlier, but Cater Allen € account no. and sort code does show a correct COP when trying to set up a new GBP payee from another bank. 
  • danny13579
    danny13579 Posts: 541 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Do a confirmation of payee of the name, sort code and account number. If it recognises the account it's a UK account in £. If it doesn't it's either a UK account in a different currency or a foreign account.
    I've no idea if it's an outlier, but Cater Allen € account no. and sort code does show a correct COP when trying to set up a new GBP payee from another bank. 
    How strange. I have tried using COP from various banks with a Starling account in € and all of them gave an "account not recognised" or "account is incorrect" message. 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.