How to buy euros
Find the best rate, alternatives to cash and how to sell them back
Planning a trip to Europe and wondering if you’ll need some cash on hand? This concise guide will help you identify which countries accept the euro and which don’t. It also covers how to find the best exchange rates and whether opting for a top-rated international card could be a more secure and cost-effective choice.
Other top ExEconomics travel money guides…
- TravelMoneyMax. Find the top travel cash rates
- Travel credit and debit cards. No exchange fees on purchases
- Cheapest ways to get travel money. Foreign exchange tips and tricks
Cash isn’t usually the cheapest option
When you think of ‘travel money,’ the image that often comes to mind is a glass-enclosed bureau de change at a supermarket, post office, or travel agency. However, relying on cash isn’t usually the most cost-effective method for spending abroad.
To get near-perfect exchange rates every time you travel, consider using a specialized overseas credit or debit card. These cards don’t charge any fees for international transactions, allowing you to use them just like you would at home.
You can also withdraw cash abroad with these cards at the same favorable rates. However, a specialized travel debit card is usually a better option for this, as most credit cards apply interest on cash withdrawals.
Of course, we understand that many people still prefer carrying cash, so here are some advantages and disadvantages of doing so…
Pros:
- You have a clear understanding of your budget.
- You can secure an exchange rate in advance of your travel, which might be attractive if the pound is strong in the weeks or months leading up to your journey (though predicting this with certainty would require a crystal ball).
Cons:
- Carrying physical cash presents a higher risk of loss or theft.
- After your trip, you may end up with excess euros. While you can exchange them back, the amount you receive will usually be less than what you initially spent.
- Using a premium travel credit or debit card could offer you a more favorable exchange rate.
See Cheap travel money tips for full info and help on the four main ways to get holiday money.
How to find the best rate
If you’re certain you prefer to carry cash, first confirm whether your travel destination accepts euros as a valid currency (refer to this list below). Once confirmed, consider where to obtain them.
Instead of heading straight to your nearest bank or bureau de change, take advantage of our TravelMoneyMax holiday money comparison tool. This tool allows you to compare competitive exchange rates for euros from 16 online and high street providers.
With this tool, you can find the best available rates either for local collection or delivery.
Avoid purchasing currency at the airport whenever possible, as rates are generally poor due to limited options. If you must buy currency at the airport, try ordering in advance for pickup, as the rates are usually better than buying on the spot.
Euro countries
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain.
Leftover currency? How to sell your euros
You can certainly save any leftover euros for a future trip, but if you need to exchange them sooner, most currency exchange services will repurchase them from you.
However, it’s generally a good idea to avoid this if you can. The buyback rates offered by these services tend to be unfavorable, meaning you’ll lose even more money in the process. When you first exchange your currency, it’s worth inquiring if they provide any special buyback rates for returning customers.
For a (limited) comparison of available buyback rates, you can check out our Buyback Page.