Four Winning European Currencies Beat the Euro

Cries of exchange volatility carry all the fear of losses as one currency moves against another just at the wrong time for a house-buyer, a saver or an expat on the brink of moving from one location to another. But here's a tale of four EU countries which have seen their currencies out-perform the euro these past three years.

If you're an expat in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Norway or Switzerland, it's likely that you've managed to escape the downturn in fortunes suffered by many British expats left holding dwindling savings or assets which have been ravaged by a devaluing euro.

Currencies.co.uk reports that the currencies of these four European countries, all of which opted not to join the single currency, have out-performed the euro against both sterling and the US dollar since the start of 2008.

Unfortunately, for expats based in Turkey, Hungary or Poland, Currencies.co.uk analysis also shows that these countries' currencies, would have fared much better had they joined the euro as they've consistently traded at weaker levels against sterling and the dollar than the euro has over the same period. Expats in Denmark will already know that the performance of the Danish Krone has mirrored that of the euro.

Strongest performer of all is the Swiss Franc, with the Czech Koruna and Swedish krona closely following, which has caused property owners in locations such as Geneva, Prague and Stockholm much to smile about at the prospect of increased profits should they sell up and bring their capital gains back to the UK.

For Turkish property the story has two sides to it. Second home owners in this country stand to lose the most were they to sell now and return to Britain. But for those Brits looking to buy in Turkey, the current exchange rate is "extremely favourable" says Currencies.co.uk. What's more pensioners and other expats in Turkey making transfers from sterling to the lira are getting more for their pound as the currencies is at its weakest, being worth 12% less sterling than it was three years ago.