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Pound to Euro Exchange Rate History – Highs, Lows & Averages

Andrew GibsonAuthor,  Andrew Gibson

Below, you’ll find the Pound to Euro exchange rate history, including the highs and lows, historical data, and tips on how to get a better rate.

What’s the live GBP to EUR exchange rate?

The live Pound to Euro exchange rate is €1.1663.

For real-time conversions and a full calculator, visit our Pound to Euro converter tool.

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What is the highest pound-to-euro rate ever?

The highest Pound to Euro rate ever was €1.752 on 3rd May 2000. 

This was within a year of the Euro’s launch in 1999. Investors were worried the Euro would be a short-lived experiment.

The Pound to Euro rate shot up to over €1.75 due largely to Euro weakness (as opposed to Pound strength).   

The lowest pound-to-euro rate ever

The lowest Pound to Euro rate ever was €1.02 on 30th December 2008. 

During the global financial crisis the entire UK banking system was nearing collapse.

As a result, the Pound plunged.

The GBP/EUR rate dropped to €1.02 as international investors pulled their money out of the UK.

What is the average pound-to-euro rate?

The Pound to Euro rate has averaged €1.30 over its full history since January 1999.

Therefore at current levels, the Pound sits below the average rate.

But going back to 1999 is not a relevant time scale for most people.

In the past 10 years, the average GBP/EUR rate has been €1.16.

In the past 5 years, the average GBP/EUR rate has been €1.17.

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Pound to Euro – its full history in a nutshell

  • The GBP/EUR rate started in 1999 at just above the €1.40 level.
  • Within a year of the Euros launch, the value of the Pound reached a little over €1.75 – which still remains the all-time high today!
  • From 2003-2007, the GBP to EUR rate was fairly stable, hovering between €1.40 – €1.50.
  • During the global financial crisis of 2007/8, the Pound collapsed hitting an all-time low of €1.02 in December 2008.
  • In February 2016, the Brexit referendum triggered another steep decline – the Pound has yet to recover to these levels.
  • Since Brexit, the Pound to Euro rate has traded in a fairly narrow range compared to the past. 

 

On the move? … Here’s a 3-minute video summary

How we can help you with the Pound to Euro rate

You’ve probably seen that the live Pound to Euro rate moves every few seconds.

That might be mesmerising for some people.

But most people have neither the time nor inclination to watch the Pound to Euro rate all day.

It’s why a money transfer service may be a good option for you.

As a money transfer specialist, we watch rates continuously throughout the day.

It’s a key part of what we do.

We help our clients achieve a better rate by taking advantage of any favourable moves.

That’s a fundamental difference in the service we offer.

A bank or online platform won’t help you at all.

They just push you on to a platform and leave you to do everything yourself.

Whereas we will understand your situation and help exchange your Pounds into Euros to your best advantage.

Working time symbolizes the desktop. Office desk with papers from insurance manager and banker. Office worker at the table. The concept of lack of time.

Who are we?

Key Currency is an independent money transfer specialist.

We offer highly competitive Pound to Euro exchange rates, don’t charge you any fees, and provide you with personal service.

As a company, we are open and transparent.

We don’t hide behind a cute logo or fancy ‘app’.

The names, faces, and backgrounds of our expert team of people are shown on our website.

We have gained a 5-star rating on the customer review website Trustpilot, based on over 3,700 verified reviews.

We’re committed to providing a service of the highest integrity and safety.

Key Currency is an FCA-regulated Authorised Payment Institution (No. 753989), and as such, all money transfers are conducted through safeguarded client accounts.

To compare our pound-to-euro rates, just request a free quote.

You are under no obligation to trade with us.

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Filed Under: Currency Information

Pound to Dollar Exchange Rate – Highs, Lows & Averages

Andrew GibsonAuthor,  Andrew Gibson

Below you will find out the Pound to Dollar exchange rate history, including the highs, lows and averages of the Pound to Dollar rate.

What’s the live GBP to USD exchange rate?

The live Pound to Dollar exchange rate is $1.3528.

For real-time conversions and a full calculator, visit our Pound to Dollar converter tool.

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The Highest GBP to USD rate ever

The Pound to Dollar rate reached a high of $2.649 on 6th Mar 1972. 

That remains the strongest the Pound has been against USD since it freely floated in 1971.

Before the 1970s, the Pound to Dollar rate was fixed at a level set by the British government.

In the last 10 years, the highest Pound to Dollar rate was $1.5884.

The Lowest GBP to USD rate ever

The Pound to Dollar rate reached an all-time low of $1.054 on 25th Feb 1985. 

The fall in the rate was more a function of US Dollar strength than British Pound weakness.

A doubling in the oil price led to high inflation in the 1980s. To combat inflation, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates above 20%. This led to huge international capital inflows into the US and a surge in the value of the Dollar.

In the last 10 years, the lowest Pound to Dollar rate was $1.0745. 

Average GBP to USD rates 

Averages can be a good way of telling if the current GBP to USD exchange rate is good or bad.

The Pound to Dollar rate has averaged $1.29 over the past 5 years.

The Pound to Dollar rate has averaged $1.30 over the past 10 years.

Based on current levels, the GBP to USD rate is below average – bad for buyers (sell Pounds, buy USD), but good for sellers (sell USD, buy Pounds).

Is GBP stronger than USD?

In basic terms, £1 is worth more than $1.

So at face value, you could say the British Pound is stronger than the US Dollar.

However, the value of one currency compared to another is not a true indicator of strength, wealth, or power.

A better way to measure a currency’s strength is through its relative movement over time.

Over the past 50 years, the Pound has halved in value against the US Dollar.

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Pound to Dollar History in a nutshell

  • You can see the extreme highs the GBP to USD rate reached in the early 1970s.
  • By the mid-1980s, the GBP to USD rate fell to all-time lows.
  • Overall, the trend in the GBP/USD rate has been down over the last 50 years. The rate has effectively halved in value.
  • Volatility is less extreme today than it was in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Most of the big moves you can see above were triggered by major events.
  • There’s usually at least one ‘major event’ per decade.
  • The major events have varied from wars, natural disasters, financial or political crises, and more recently, Coronavirus.

How did Brexit affect the GBP to USD?

The British Pound fell 13% against the US Dollar in the two weeks following the Brexit referendum.

The Pound fell in value as Brexit created uncertainty in the UK for trade, emigration and the legal system going forward.

How did Coronavirus impact GBP to USD? 

The GBP to USD exchange rate fell 12% within the space of two weeks in March 2020.

Investors sold the Pound in favour of the perceived safety of the US Dollar.

 

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Building blocks that spell out GBP and USD with a block in the middle that has a green up arrow and red down arrow.

Getting the best GBP to USD rate

Timing matters when it comes to exchange rates.

But most people can’t watch the rate all day.

As a currency broker, we work with our clients to achieve a more favourable GBP to USD exchange rate.

Unless you are glued to the screens, you can very easily miss the best opportunities.

And you may not be confident picking the right time to exchange their money.

That’s why it miught be useful to use a currency broker as they can monitor exchange rates for you.

It may be that you are targeting a specific rate.

Or you may just want to know when the market moves in your favour.

Please note – banks and most money transfer companies don’t help their customers with their transfers.

They will facilitate your payment, and that’s about it.

You’re left to do the rest.

By understanding your requirements, we can work with you to achieve a better rate, rather than using a bank or online platform and having to accept whatever rate they give you on the day.

Who are we?

Key Currency is one of the UK’s leading currency brokers.

As an independent currency specialist, we have far lower overheads than the banks, enabling us to pass on the savings to you.

Our exchange rates are highly competitive and we charge no fees whatsoever.

And unlike banks and online-only systems, we don’t make you do everything yourself.

We offer all our customers personal assistance and can offer guidance on exchange rates and timing.

It makes the whole process a lot easier for our customers.

We have attained a 5-star “Excellent” rating on the customer review website Trustpilot; the highest rating available.

The protection and security of funds is our top priority. Key Currency is an FCA-regulated Authorised Payment Institution (No. 753989), and as such, all money transfers are conducted through safeguarded client accounts.

If you would like to compare our rates to your bank or existing provider, please request a quote below.

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Filed Under: Currency Information

GBP to AUD Exchange Rate History (Highs, Lows & Averages)

Andrew GibsonAuthor,  Andrew Gibson

Check the Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate history, including the historical highs, lows, and averages, learn how to spot fake rates, and discover the best way to get a better deal.

What’s the live GBP to AUD exchange rate?

For context, the live Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate is $1.8871.

We include today’s live rate here to provide context before looking at historical data.

While the GBP/AUD rate updates constantly with market movements, the focus of this page is on the longer-term picture – highs, lows, and averages that show how the Pound has performed against the Australian Dollar over time.

For real-time conversions and a full calculator, visit our Pound to Australian Dollar converter tool.

Please note that this is the mid-market exchange rate, and isn’t available to retail customers. Get a transfer quote instead.

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Highest GBP to AUD rate ever

The Pound hit an all-time high of $3.028 against the Australian Dollar on 27th September 2001.

In 2001, the UK had a booming financial sector and a stable political and economic environment. These factors lifted the Pound.

Lowest GBP to AUD rate ever

The Pound fell to an all-time low of $1.3606 against the Australian Dollar on 14th January 1985.

In 1985, it was more a case of Dollar strength than Pound weakness.

Average GBP to AUD rate

The GBP to AUD rate has averaged $2.1345 since the Australian Dollar floated in 1983.

The Aussie Dollar was introduced in 1966, but its value was fixed against other currencies until 1983. From 1983 onward, it has been freely floating, reflecting the underlying supply and demand.

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An exchange rate board showing rates of Euro, Australian Dollar and Pound Sterling.

Why most GBP to AUD exchange rates are ‘fake’

Most people get exchange rates off the internet these days.

There are dozens of websites that provide live exchange GBP to AUD rates.

XE, Oanda, and Yahoo for example.

But here’s the thing many people don’t know…

The exchange rates you see online are not customers’ rates.

What you are seeing are “interbank rates”.

As the name suggests, an interbank rate is used by banks to trade with other banks.

Even large corporations or currency brokers don’t buy or sell at interbank rates.

You will find a disclaimer on most websites (in small print of course!) explaining that the rates shown are for “informational purposes” or “cannot be accessed”.

If you want to budget more effectively, I would suggest getting a genuine GBP to AUD exchange rate.

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GBP to AUD chart – ups and downs explained

GBP to AUD Chart showing the movements in the last 50 years.

You can see the GBP/AUD rate has had some big moves over the years.

Even on a smaller scale, over days and weeks, there are frequent peaks and troughs.

These present risks and opportunities…depending on which side of the fence you sit.

It’s always worth trying to get the best Aussie Dollar rate possible.

More money in your pocket!

Can you trust GBP to AUD forecasts?

I don’t generally trust exact exchange rate forecasts.

Most are just extrapolations of recent history dressed up with technical jargon.

The truth is no one has a crystal ball.

But I appreciate people want to know whether it’s or good or bad time to exchange your money.

Forecasting is more a case of probability than precision.

My simple advice is to use historical data as your guide.

Exchange rates have a natural ebb and flow. It’s about trying to take advantage of favourable moves.

You can get some perspective on the GBP to AUD rate by looking at the current trend and observing recent highs and lows.

Alternatively, speak to a currency broker who can help guide you and discuss realistic levels to aim for.

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What moves the GBP to the AUD rate?

There’s a whole lot of economic data that impacts the GBP/AUD rate.

It’s a long and exhaustive list including inflation, interest rates, economic growth, unemployment, international trade, and business investment – to name just a few.

It comes down to which economy -the UK or Australia – is performing better.

Outside the daily news, you also have the occasional big event, such as Covid, Brexit, and the Global Financial Crisis.

These big events can trigger major moves in a matter of months (5%-15%).

The main lesson from history is that big global events tend to cause a sudden sell-off in the Australian Dollar relative to the Pound, given its sensitivity to economically-sensitive commodity prices.

No matter what your timeframe, there will always be opportunities and risks to consider.

A currency broker can monitor GBP to AUD rate fluctuations and work with you to achieve a better rate.

Flags of the UK and Australia side by side with a black background.

Getting the best GBP to AUD rate

I would never suggest accepting whatever GBP to AUD rate you come across.

Even small improvements in exchange rates can make a big financial difference to you.

As currency specialists, we want to help our clients get the best rates possible.

It’s a key part of what we do.

In currency markets, trends, and trading ranges are frequently observable events, particularly if you are watching the screens all day.

These price patterns can be turned to your advantage.

As an example, say you were looking to send £75,000 to Australia.

Even achieving a 1.5% improvement in the GBP to AUD rate, would mean gaining an extra £1,125.

Likewise, bad timing could cost you thousands more.

I appreciate that most people have neither the time nor the inclination to watch the GBP to AUD rate all day.

It’s why you might find it useful to use a currency broker.

A currency broker can alert you if the GBP to AUD rate hits a certain level or just let you know if there’s been a favourable move.

If you want further information about exchange rates, we’ve written all about the ins and outs on how to get the best exchange rate, for travel or money transfer, so click through for more!

Who are we?

Key Currency is an independent currency broker.

Unlike banks and online apps, we provide you with a personal service.

Most places these days make you do everything yourself online.

But I’ve found most people aren’t comfortable sending large amounts of money via an online system or app.

We’re happy to guide you through the whole process, including discussing current rates and the timing of your transfer.

Because we have far lower overheads than the big banks, we can pass on the savings by providing highly competitive exchange rates and charging no fees.

As a company, we are open and transparent – the names and faces of all our people on our website.

We have attained a 5-Star “excellent” rating on the customer review website Trustpilot, the highest rating available.

In terms of regulation, Key Currency is an FCA Authorised Payment Institution (No. 753989), and as such, all money transfers are conducted through safeguarded client accounts.

You can click below to get our latest GBP/AUD rates.

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Key Currency Limited, Suite 1, CMA House, Newham Road, Truro, TR1 2SU, United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales (registered no. 09603083)

Key Currency Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Authorised Payment Institution (Financial Services Register no. 753989).

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The information contained on this website is general in nature and is not to be construed as personal advice.