Post Office Currency Exchange: Rates, Fees & How-To

Few things feel simpler than walking into a Post Office to grab some foreign cash before a trip—but the exchange rates and fees can vary widely depending on how you order. In Ireland, An Post offers 0% commission on foreign currency cash, while the UK Post Office makes up to 80 currencies available for exchange. The walk-in process, online ordering, and required documents are discussed below, so you can decide which method saves you the most.

Commission on foreign currency cash: 0% at An Post (Ireland) ⋅
Currencies available for cash exchange: 80 at UK Post Office ⋅
Currencies on prepaid Currency Card: 15 at An Post ⋅
Order and collect options: Click & Collect, home delivery, walk-in

Four key facts about Post Office currency exchange, one pattern: the online route consistently beats the walk-in counter on both rate and choice.

Can you walk into a Post Office and exchange currency?

Walk-in procedure at the counter

1. Walk into any participating branch and head to the counter (Wise (financial comparison site))
2. Tell the clerk the currency and amount you need
3. The clerk will show the day’s rate and any applicable fee
4. Pay with cash or debit card (corporate cards may incur a 2% fee, per Wise (financial comparison site))
5. Receive the foreign currency and a receipt

What you need to know before you go

• Not every branch stocks every currency; less common currencies may require advance ordering (Wise (financial comparison site))
• Walk-in exchange rates are typically worse than online rates
• You can exchange without a bank account

The implication: Walk-in works in a pinch, but ordering online locks in a better rate and guarantees availability.

How much is €100 euro in pounds?

How to calculate pounds from euros

• Divide the euro amount by the Post Office’s sell rate for euros
• Example: The Post Office online rate for euros is around 1.1354 per £1 at the Spend 1000+ tier, so €100 ÷ 1.1354 ≈ £88 (Post Office (UK government postal service))
• Walk-in rates are less favourable, so you may pay closer to £90 for the same €100

Example: €100 to pounds

• At the Post Office’s online rate (1.1072 for Spend 100+ tier), €100 = £90.33 (€100 ÷ 1.1072) (Post Office (UK government postal service))
• At a bank or bureau de change the cost may be 1–3% higher
• Exchange rates fluctuate daily; always check the latest rate before ordering

The pattern: A €100 cash purchase can cost between £88 and £92 depending on where and how you buy. The online route consistently lands on the lower end.

What is the exchange rate at a Post Office?

How Post Office rates compare to banks

• Post Office publishes tiered online rates: improving as you spend more
• Example: euro online rate at Spend 100+ is 1.1072; at Spend 500+ it is 1.1309; at Spend 1000+ it is 1.1354 (Post Office (UK government postal service))
• An Post offers 0% commission, meaning the rate shown is the rate you get (An Post (Irish state postal service))
• High street banks often add a 2–3% fee on top of their rate, making the post office generally cheaper

Where to find the latest exchange rate

• Check Post Office travel money page for daily rates
• An Post lists its current rates on their currency page
• Online ordering rates are fixed at the time of booking, so you avoid market swings

Why this matters: The difference between a walk-in rate and a tiered online rate can mean an extra £10–£20 on a £500 exchange—enough to consider ordering before you head to the branch.

How long does it take to exchange currency at the Post Office?

Typical wait times at the counter

• Walk-in exchange is usually completed in a few minutes, assuming the currency is in stock (Wise (financial comparison site))
• Orders placed online for Click & Collect are typically ready within hours or by the next business day
• Home delivery takes 1–3 business days (Wise (financial comparison site))

Order online for faster service

• Online ordering lets you skip the queue and secures the online rate
• Click & Collect is often ready the same day if you order before a cut-off time (usually 2pm)
• Free home delivery for orders over £400; £4.99 for smaller orders (Wise (financial comparison site))

The trade-off: Speed comes at a cost: walk-in is fastest when the currency is in stock, but you pay a worse rate. Online ordering adds a day but saves money.

What documents do I need to exchange currency?

Required identification

• A valid government-issued photo ID—passport or driving licence—is standard (Post Office (UK government postal service))
• Some branches may also ask for proof of address (e.g., a utility bill)
• For online orders, you will need to upload a photo of your ID during checkout

Additional documentation for large amounts

• Exchanges above a certain threshold (typically £2,000 or €2,000) trigger anti-money laundering checks
• You may need to provide proof of the source of funds, such as a recent bank statement
• Both UK Post Office and An Post follow EU/UK AML regulations

The implication: Have your passport ready even for small exchanges. For larger amounts, allow a few extra minutes for verification.

Comparison: UK Post Office vs An Post currency exchange

Two state-backed services, one pattern: both offer zero commission, but the UK Post Office wins on currency range while An Post wins on the prepaid card’s flexibility.

The catch: While the UK Post Office offers more currencies, An Post’s Currency Card is a cleaner option for multi-currency travel. Your choice depends on whether you prefer cash or card.

“We offer foreign currency exchange with 0% commission at all An Post branches.” If you’re looking for a soccer store near you in Ireland, you can find more information at $Soccer store near me Ireland.

An Post (Irish state postal service)

“Order foreign currency online and collect from a Post Office bureau de change near you.”

Post Office (UK government postal service)

For travellers in Ireland and the UK, the choice is straightforward: pre-order online for the best rates and guaranteed availability. Walk-in remains a fallback, but the mark-up on the rate makes it the more expensive option for any sum above a few tens of euros. For multi-currency trips, the An Post Currency Card offers a fee-free alternative that works like a debit card abroad.

For those looking to check the latest Post Office exchange rates, our detailed breakdown covers both euro and dollar rates alongside branch and online ordering options.

Frequently asked questions