Guides to sending money from the UK to India

Plain-English answers to the questions people ask most about sending money from the UK to India, checked against official sources such as the Reserve Bank of India, the National Payments Corporation of India, GOV.UK and the World Bank.

Written by Sonic Wallet editorial team · Last reviewed: 1 November 2026

• The cheapest way to send money from the UK to India

  Why the fee is only half the cost, how to compare providers and what the average transfer costs.

• How to send money to India with UPI from the UK

  Paying a UPI ID from the UK, and how NRIs can use UPI with a +44 mobile number.

• NRE vs NRO accounts: which should you use?

  Tax, repatriation and what each account can receive, side by side.

• Do you pay tax on money sent from the UK to India?

  UK inheritance tax on gifts, India's gift tax rules and when the recipient pays.

• How much money can you send to India from the UK?

  UK and Indian rules, provider limits and the cap on cash-collection transfers.

• What bank details do you need to send money to India?

  IFSC codes, account numbers, UPI IDs and when you need a SWIFT code.

• How long does it take to send money from the UK to India?

  IMPS, NEFT, UPI and SWIFT delivery times compared.

• When is the best time to send money to India? GBP/INR data

  A year of pound to rupee rates by month and weekday, updated every hour.