Foreign exchange, precious metal

DE

The Deutsche Bundesbank does not conduct transactions (purchase, vending, etc.) in foreign currencies (banknotes and coins) and precious metals with the general public (including credit institutions).

Valid foreign banknotes can still be exchanged at commercial banks and foreign exchange offices, invalid banknotes may be exchanged at the respective central banks within the therefor determined periods.

The euro legacy banknotes can still be exchanged in most cases into euro. The relevant authorities for exchange are the issuing central banks, except a short period of time directly after the introduction of euro cash. Partly a (in some cases limited) exchange of legacy coins is offered. A compilation of links to the national central bank web sites is available in the right column. Additional information about possible time limits for the exchange is available in the table below.

Exchange periods applying within the euro area

The table below gives an overview of the exchange periods for euro legacy currencies (banknotes and coins) in the individual euro-area countries.

Exchange at national central banks

Country

Validity*

Banknotes

Coins

Austria

28.02.2002

indefinite

indefinite

Belgium

28.02.2002

indefinite

31.12.2004

Croatia1,2

14.01.2023

as of 1.1.2024 indefinite

01.01.2024-31.12.2025

Estonia

15.01.2011

indefinite

indefinite

Germany

31.12.2001

indefinite

indefinite

Ireland

09.02.2002

indefinite

indefinite

Latvia

14.01.2014

indefinite

indefinite

Lithuania

15.01.2015

indefinite

indefinite

Luxembourg

28.02.2002

indefinite

31.12.2004

Netherlands3

28.01.2002

01.01.2032

01.01.2007

Slovakia

16.01.2009

indefinite

02.01.2014

Slovenia

14.01.2007

indefinite

31.12.2016

*Last day on which national banknotes and coins are legal tender.

1At post offices, commercial banks and the Financial Agency: Until 31 December 2023 kuna banknotes and coins can be exchanged for euro banknotes and coins at post offices, commercial banks and the Financial Agency only. Up to a maximum of 100 kuna banknotes and 100 kuna coins per transaction can be exchanged free of charge. For the exchange of a larger number of banknotes or coins, commercial banks may charge a fee.

2At Hrvatska narodna banka: As of January 2024 Croatia’s national central bank will take over the exchange services for kuna banknotes without a time limit, and will exchange coins until 31 December 2025. This service is free of charge.

3De Nederlandsche Bank will not exchange guilders in every case. Guilders obtained from commercial activities after 27 January 2002 will no longer be exchanged. For more information, please see the website of the Bank of Netherlands.

The exact conditions for the exchange can be found on the websites of the respective banks. The exchange periods for the euro legacy currencies have expired for the following countries:

  • Cyprus
  • Italy
  • Finland
  • France
  • Greece
  • Malta
  • Partugal
  • Spain