The sterling to euro exchange rate stood at approximately €1.195 for £1, based on the European Central Bank’s reference rate published on 27 October 2026. The figure provides a useful benchmark for people planning holidays in Europe, sending money abroad or managing payments between pounds and euros. It is a reference rate rather than a guaranteed rate available from a bank, currency exchange provider or card issuer.

The pound has strengthened against the euro over much of 2026, although daily movements remain important for anyone exchanging a substantial amount of money. Historical exchange-rate data puts sterling’s year-to-date gain at approximately 4.3% by 27 October, compared with the opening level at the start of the year. The precise result depends on the data series and closing-rate convention used.

For British holidaymakers, a stronger pound means that each pound can buy more euros, potentially reducing the sterling cost of accommodation, meals and other expenses in euro-area countries. For UK businesses importing goods or services priced in euros, the same movement can reduce the amount of sterling required to settle an invoice.

The effect is reversed for British exporters selling to customers in the euro area. When the pound strengthens, goods priced in sterling can become more expensive for euro-paying customers unless the exporter adjusts its prices. The exchange rate therefore matters not only to travellers but also to companies, investors and households with financial commitments in Europe.

Understanding the sterling to euro rate requires more than checking a single number. The rate available to a customer depends on the provider, transaction size, payment method and any additional charges. Interest-rate expectations, economic data and political developments can also influence how the pound and euro perform against each other.

What is the sterling to euro rate today?

The latest verified European Central Bank reference rate available for this article was published on 27 October 2026. It showed that €1 was worth £0.83658. Reversing that quotation gives approximately €1.1953 for £1.

Sterling to euro exchange rate

£1 = €1.1953

Calculated from the ECB reference rate published on 27 October 2026

£100

€119.53

£500

€597.66

£1,000

€1,195.34

Illustrative conversions using the reference rate, before fees or provider exchange-rate margins.

The European Central Bank publishes reference rates for information rather than as prices at which individuals are guaranteed to exchange money. Its rates are normally updated on working days at around 16:00 Central European Time, subject to the ECB’s calendar. At the time of writing on 28 October, a new reference rate for that day was not yet available. European Central Bank

The Bank of England also publishes daily spot exchange rates against sterling. Its database listed £1 at €1.1940 on 26 October 2026. The small difference from the ECB-derived figure reflects the dates and methodologies of the respective data series, rather than necessarily indicating a meaningful difference in the market.

Anyone exchanging money should check a live quotation from their chosen provider before completing the transaction. A reference rate is a useful comparison point, but it does not include the commercial costs that may apply to an actual exchange.

How much is £100 in euros?

At the reference rate of approximately €1.1953 per pound, £100 converts to about €119.53 before fees. The amount received from a bank, travel money provider or payment service may be lower because providers can apply an exchange-rate margin or a separate transaction charge.

The difference becomes more noticeable when exchanging larger sums. A provider offering €1.18 per pound would give €118 for £100, compared with approximately €119.53 at the reference rate. The difference is €1.53 on a £100 transaction, or €15.30 on £1,000, before considering any separate fees.

For holidaymakers, the practical question is how many euros they will receive after all charges. A provider advertising commission-free currency exchange may still make money through the exchange rate it offers. Comparing the final amount received is therefore more useful than looking at a headline rate alone.

The same principle applies when converting euros back into pounds. If a traveller returns home with €200, the amount received will depend on the provider’s buy-back rate and any applicable charges. The rate used to sell euros to a customer may differ from the rate used to buy them back.

Exchange rates also move during the day. A quotation obtained in the morning may no longer be available when a transaction is completed later, particularly during periods of market volatility. For large payments, checking the rate immediately before confirming the transfer can help avoid surprises.

Why has sterling strengthened against the euro in 2026?

Sterling’s performance against the euro reflects the relative economic and monetary outlook for the UK and the euro area. The exchange rate does not depend solely on whether the British economy is performing well. It also reflects how investors assess conditions in the countries using the euro and the relative returns available from assets denominated in each currency.

Historical exchange-rate data shows that the pound rose from approximately €1.1466 at the beginning of 2026 to around €1.1959 in the closing-rate series reported for 27 October. That represents an increase of about 4.3%, although the result varies slightly according to the data provider and the precise rate used.

A stronger pound can reflect changes in expectations about interest rates, inflation, economic growth or political risk. However, it would be misleading to attribute the entire move to one factor without evidence showing how much each development contributed.

Interest rates and central bank decisions

The Bank of England sets monetary policy for the UK, while the European Central Bank sets policy for the euro area. Their decisions influence borrowing costs and can affect the attractiveness of holding pounds or euros.

If financial markets expect UK interest rates to remain higher than euro-area rates, sterling-denominated assets may offer comparatively attractive returns, all else being equal. That can support demand for the pound. If investors instead expect the Bank of England to cut rates more quickly than the ECB, sterling could come under pressure.

Actual interest-rate decisions are only part of the picture. Currency markets respond to expectations about future policy, meaning the pound can move before a central bank announces a decision. A rate cut may have little effect if investors had already anticipated it, while an unexpected change in guidance can produce a sharper reaction.

Inflation and economic growth

Inflation figures help investors assess whether central banks are likely to tighten or loosen monetary policy. Higher inflation does not automatically strengthen a currency: the effect depends on the expected policy response, the underlying cause of inflation and how the figures compare with forecasts.

Economic growth also matters. Stronger-than-expected activity can support a currency if investors believe it will improve business prospects or keep interest rates higher. Weak growth can have the opposite effect, although the response is not always straightforward.

For the sterling to euro exchange rate, investors compare UK data with developments across the euro area. If both economies are slowing, the relative performance of each becomes important. A report that looks negative in isolation may still support sterling if conditions in the euro area deteriorate more sharply.

Political and international developments

Political uncertainty can influence currencies by changing expectations about public finances, regulation, trade or the stability of economic policy. International conflicts and energy-price movements can also affect the euro area and UK differently, depending on their exposure to the disruption.

These factors should be treated as possible influences rather than automatic explanations for every daily movement. Currency markets combine numerous expectations, and the effect of a particular event can change as new information becomes available.

For travellers, the practical lesson is that the pound may strengthen or weaken even when there is no major announcement directly concerning exchange rates. A single day’s movement is not enough to establish a lasting trend.

What a stronger pound means for UK holidaymakers

For British travellers visiting countries that use the euro, a stronger pound generally increases the amount of local currency available for each pound exchanged. This can make spending in destinations such as France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal less expensive in sterling terms, provided local prices and provider charges remain unchanged.

Consider a hotel room costing €150 a night. At €1.15 per pound, the sterling equivalent would be about £130.43. At €1.1953 per pound, it would be approximately £125.49. The difference is around £4.94 per night before card fees or other charges.

The example illustrates the effect of currency movements, not a forecast of hotel prices. Accommodation, restaurant bills and transport fares may change independently of the exchange rate, so a stronger pound does not guarantee that an entire holiday will cost less.

Travellers also need to distinguish between cash exchange and card payments. Some debit and credit cards use a network exchange rate, while others add a foreign transaction fee. Cash withdrawals can carry additional charges, and some overseas terminals offer to charge a UK card directly in pounds rather than in euros.

That option, known as dynamic currency conversion, may use a less favourable rate than the card provider’s own conversion. When offered a choice, travellers should check the terms of their card and compare the displayed conversion before accepting it.

The best approach is to compare the final cost of obtaining euros through a bank, specialist provider or card. There is no single option that will always offer the best value for every traveller or transaction.

How the exchange rate affects UK businesses

The pound-to-euro rate can influence business costs, revenue and profit margins, particularly for companies that trade regularly with the European Union.

A UK importer buying goods priced in euros will generally need fewer pounds to pay the same euro invoice when sterling strengthens. This can reduce costs for businesses importing food, machinery, vehicle components, clothing or other products from euro-area suppliers. The extent of the benefit depends on contract terms, payment dates and whether the business has already fixed its exchange rate.

For exporters, the effects can be less favourable. A British manufacturer selling goods priced in pounds may become more expensive for euro-area customers when sterling rises. Alternatively, an exporter that charges a fixed euro price may receive fewer pounds when converting its sales revenue back into sterling.

Companies can manage some of this uncertainty through currency hedging. This involves using financial arrangements, such as forward contracts, to agree an exchange rate for a future payment. Hedging can make costs or revenue more predictable, but it may also prevent a business from benefiting fully if the exchange rate subsequently moves in its favour.

Smaller firms may have less bargaining power or fewer resources to manage currency risk. For them, even a relatively modest change in the exchange rate can affect the margin on a contract, particularly when profits are already tight.

The impact is not uniform across the UK economy. Businesses that import more than they export may benefit from a stronger pound, while companies earning substantial euro revenue may face conversion losses. Firms that buy and sell in both currencies may experience a mixture of effects.

Will sterling rise further against the euro?

There is no reliable way to determine the future sterling to euro rate from its recent performance alone. The pound’s rise during 2026 provides historical context, but it does not establish that the trend will continue.

Future movements will depend on incoming economic data, Bank of England and ECB decisions, investor expectations and developments affecting the UK and euro-area economies. Unexpected changes in inflation, growth, fiscal policy or international conditions can quickly alter market sentiment.

Forecasts from banks and financial institutions may offer scenarios for the exchange rate, but they are estimates rather than guarantees. Different analysts can reach different conclusions because they use different assumptions about interest rates, economic growth and risk.

People who need euros for a specific purpose should therefore focus on the amount they need and the time available, rather than relying on an expectation that the pound will reach a particular level. A traveller with a fixed departure date faces a different decision from a business managing recurring euro payments or a household transferring money for a property purchase.

For larger transactions, splitting an exchange into several payments may reduce the risk of converting the entire sum at an unfavourable moment, although it can also mean missing out if the rate moves in the other direction. The right approach depends on the transaction, its urgency and the costs involved.

How to check the sterling to euro rate

The European Central Bank and Bank of England publish reference or spot-rate data that can be used to track movements over time. Commercial currency providers and financial data services also publish market quotations, often with more frequent updates.

When comparing rates, check the date and time of the quotation, whether it is a market reference or a customer transaction rate, and whether charges are included. The direction of the conversion matters too: the rate for buying euros with pounds is not necessarily the same as the rate for selling euros and receiving pounds.

The ECB explicitly cautions that its reference rates are published for information and are not recommended for use as transaction rates. A bank or currency service may quote a different price because of its own costs, pricing model and market conditions.

The latest reference rate available for this article was approximately €1.1953 for £1, based on the ECB’s 27 October 2026 data. The next published rate may differ, and the amount available to an individual customer will depend on the provider.

For UK readers planning travel or making payments to Europe, the most useful figure is ultimately the amount of euros received for the pounds spent after all fees. The headline rate shows the direction of the market; the final transaction quote shows what the exchange will actually cost.