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If you’re a Brit dreaming of winter sun in Spain, here’s the bad news: your pound doesn’t stretch as far as it did a few months ago. The exchange rate has quietly slipped to around €1.15 for every pound, down from €1.21 at the start of the year. That might not sound catastrophic, at least until you’re buying your third round of cañas in Benidorm and wondering why everything feels just a bit more expensive. Analysts are already flashing warning lights. The pound’s fall is tied to a messy mix of economic slowdowns, cautious moves by the Bank of England, and ongoing uncertainty around the UK’s fiscal outlook. Meanwhile, the euro has held steady, boosted by stronger-than-expected growth in parts of the Eurozone. Together, that means one thing: your holiday budget buys fewer tapas and fewer taxi rides than it used to. “Don’t wait: exchange now!” Financial experts are surprisingly unanimous on this one: don’t wait to change your money. “The trend looks weak for the pound,” notes one UK-based analyst. “If you’re heading to Spain in the next month or two, it makes sense to lock in your rate now rather than risk another dip.” Right now, €1.15 per pound means your £500 travel kitty gets you €575. If the rate slips to €1.12, that same money becomes €560, effectively losing you the price of a nice dinner just by waiting. For travellers on tight budgets, small percentage swings can sting hard. The smart move? Buy some euros early, then use a fee-free travel card or app (like Wise or Revolut) for the rest. These cards use live interbank rates and dodge the airport-exchange trap that can skim off up to 10% in hidden fees. Brits still love Spain (even if it costs more) Here’s the irony: even as the pound dips, Spain remains the go-to escape. From Malaga’s winter sun to Benidorm’s beach bars, British tourism is holding strong. For many, a slightly weaker currency isn’t a dealbreaker, it just means swapping the fancy seafood platter for paella and sangria. According to local tourism boards, bookings from the UK are still rising. Many travellers are offsetting costs by choosing all-inclusive resorts, travelling off-peak, or staying in apartment rentals instead of hotels. Spain’s charm, with its mild winters, easy flights, and familiar comforts, still outweighs the currency pain. A few smart moves before you fly to Spain If you’re planning your trip, take these quick wins: Avoid airport exchanges (they’re a daylight robbery in disguise). Get a travel debit card that offers the real exchange rate. Keep some euros in cash, but not too much; ATMs in Spain usually offer better rates. Pay in euros, not pounds, when asked by card machines — that’s how you dodge “dynamic conversion” scams. And most importantly, don’t gamble on the pound suddenly bouncing back. Exchange sooner, not later So, don’t forget: exchange sooner, not later. With the pound under pressure and Spain preparing for another busy tourist season, locking in your euros early is the simplest way to protect your holiday budget. Sure, you can’t control the markets, but you can outsmart them just a little. So before you book that flight to Spain or grab your next pint, maybe take a trip to your bank first. Your future, sunburnt self will thank you. Read here more about life in Spain.
