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HM Treasury

The Euro

Exchanging former national euro area currency


In most cases, banknotes that were legal tender until 31 December 2001, such as the German Mark or the French Franc, can still be exchanged for euro by the national central bank of the country concerned. You can obtain value for any former national banknotes of euro area countries by sending them by registered post to the relevant national central bank (see below). Details of your name and address and your bank account details should be given. You should be aware that the postage cost might exceed the value of the banknotes. The conversion rates for these currencies against the euro are available by clicking here.


In some cases, coins can also be exchanged but for a number of countries the time limits for exchange of coins have now expired (see table below). There is no means of exchanging foreign coin other than by travelling to the country in question and exchanging it at that country’s national central bank.


Time limits for the exchange of national banknotes and coins:

Belgium

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: Now ceased

Germany

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: Unlimited

Greece

Banknotes: Until 1 March 2012. Coins: Now ceased

Spain

Banknotes: Unlimited Unlimited. Coins:  

France

Banknotes: Until 17 February 2012. Coins: Now ceased

Ireland

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: Unlimited

Italy

Banknotes: Until 29 February 2012. Coins: Until 29 February 2012

Luxembourg

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: Now ceased

The Netherlands (1)

Banknotes: Until 1 January 2032. Coins: Now ceased

Austria

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: Unlimited

Portugal

Banknotes: Until 28 February 2022. Coins: Now ceased

Finland

Banknotes: Until 29 February 2012. Coins: Until 29 February 2012

Slovenia

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: December 2016

Cyprus

Banknotes: 31 December 2017. Coins: 31 December 2009

Malta

Banknotes: 31 January 2018. Coins: 1 February 2010 

Slovakia

Banknotes: Unlimited. Coins: 31 December 2013 

(1)De Nederlandsche Bank will not exchange guilders obtained from commercial activities after 27 January 2002. For more information, please see the web site of De Nederlandsche Bank

Addresses of the national central banks

For the postal address and for advice on the process for converting the former national banknotes or coins into euro, please refer to the website of the relevant central bank: