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Possible Euro account?
Slinky
Posts: 10,705 Forumite


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
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Total £487.19/£2025 24%
Make £2024 in 2024
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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%
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Comments
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If its on the UK banking system, its a UK account, in GBP. Pay them like you would any other account in the UK.1
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You'd assume that they would prefer GDP. Then convert/transfer into EURO as much as is required.0
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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.
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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 bankBeing 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!!!1 -
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 2025Prolific £102.99, Octopoints £3.20, Tesco Clubcard challenges £60, Misc Sales £321Total £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 £55.44Total £1410/£2024 70%Make £2023 in 2023 Total: £2606.33/£2023 128.8%1 -
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.0
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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.
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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.1
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danny13579 said: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.1
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PloughmansLunch said:danny13579 said: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.1
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