Understanding the GBP/EUR exchange rate
1 GBP equals 1.17 EUR at the European Central Bank reference rate published 28 August 2026 (1 GBP = 1.1666 EUR). The GBP/EUR rate tells you how many Euro you get for one British Pound. When the rate goes up, the British Pound is strengthening against the Euro. When it falls, Euro is gaining ground. The number on this page is the European Central Bank's daily reference rate — the mid-market midpoint that banks use when they trade with each other, published every business day at 16:00 Central European Time.
This is the fairest single benchmark to compare quotes against. It is not the rate your bank, card, or bureau will give you retail — those providers add a margin. But it's the number every honest quote should be close to.
GBP to EUR conversion table
Common British Pound amounts converted to Euro at the reference rate and reference date shown above:
| Amount in GBP | Converts to EUR | Rate date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GBP | 1.17 EUR | |
| 5 GBP | 5.83 EUR | |
| 10 GBP | 11.67 EUR | |
| 25 GBP | 29.16 EUR | |
| 50 GBP | 58.33 EUR | |
| 100 GBP | 116.66 EUR | |
| 250 GBP | 291.65 EUR | |
| 500 GBP | 583.29 EUR | |
| 1,000 GBP | 1,166.59 EUR | |
| 5,000 GBP | 5,832.95 EUR |
What moves the GBP/EUR pair
- Interest rate decisions. When the central bank behind British Pound raises rates faster than the one behind Euro, GBP typically strengthens. Watch the Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan calendars.
- Inflation surprises. Higher-than-expected inflation usually weakens a currency short-term but can strengthen it if markets expect the central bank to hike aggressively.
- Growth and jobs data. Strong GDP, retail sales, and non-farm payrolls readings tend to lift a currency; weak data does the opposite.
- Risk sentiment. In periods of global stress, "safe-haven" currencies like the US dollar, Swiss franc, and Japanese yen gain against riskier ones.
- Commodity prices. Currencies of resource-heavy economies (CAD, AUD, NOK, BRL, ZAR) rise and fall with oil, metals, and agricultural prices.
- Political and fiscal news. Elections, budget announcements, and geopolitical events can move rates within minutes.
About the British Pound and Euro
British Pound (GBP). The official currency of the United Kingdom, the Pound Sterling is one of the oldest currencies still in use today.
Euro (EUR). The official currency of 20 European Union countries, the Euro is the second most traded currency in the world after the US Dollar.
How to get a good GBP to EUR rate
The rate you get depends on where you convert, not just when. Rather than quote markup averages we cannot verify per provider, here is the method that always works:
- Ask for the exact rate the provider will apply to GBP → EUR today, plus any fixed fee, before you commit.
- Compute the markup yourself: (reference rate ÷ their rate − 1) × 100. That single number exposes a spread hidden inside a "zero commission" offer.
- Compare on the total, not the headline: markup plus fee, for the amount you are actually sending.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion at card terminals — it hands rate-setting to the merchant's bank instead of yours.
- Check the reference date. ECB rates publish once per business day, so a weekend quote is compared against Friday's benchmark.
Our rate methodology documents exactly how the GBP/EUR figure on this page is sourced, crossed and rounded. See also our guides on avoiding hidden exchange fees and when to exchange currency.
The reverse rate: EUR to GBP
1 EUR = 0.85720 GBP on the 2026-08-28 ECB reference date. Both directions are computed from the same ECB publication, so they are exact reciprocals of one another rather than two separately rounded numbers. Open the EUR to GBP page to convert the other way.
Frequently asked about GBP to EUR
What is the current GBP to EUR exchange rate?
1 GBP equals 1.17 EUR at the European Central Bank reference rate published 28 August 2026 (1 GBP = 1.1666 EUR). This is the ECB daily mid-market reference rate. The calculator at the top of this page and the 30-day chart below it show how the rate has moved.
Is the ECB rate the rate my bank uses?
No. Banks and exchange services add a margin on top of the mid-market rate. The ECB reference is a benchmark for comparison, not a retail quote.
When does the GBP/EUR rate update?
The wholesale interbank rate moves continuously during market hours. The ECB publishes one reference number per business day at approximately 16:00 CET. Weekends and eurozone bank holidays carry Friday's number forward.
How do I convert a specific amount of GBP to EUR?
Use the conversion table on this page for common amounts, or type any value into the calculator at the top — the result updates instantly against the same ECB reference rate.