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Find out what currency is used in Germany, tips and tricks for German currency exchange, and how you can save money on your visit with the Wise euro card.
Learn about the euro card
What is the currency in Germany?
The currency in Germany is the euro. Each euro is divided into 100 cents.
When you’re buying currency for Germany, look out for the currency code EUR. And once you’re in Germany, you’ll see the symbol € used to show prices.
You’ll find Euro banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 - although the 200 and 500 EUR notes are seldom used. There are also 1 and 2 euro coins.
Cents come in coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50.
Use the Wise euro card to spend in German currency.
The Wise euro travel money card lets you top up in your local currency, and switch to euro to spend when you’re in Germany. You’ll get the best rate for spending in euro - and can also hold and spend 40+ other currencies with the same card.
Get your Wise travel money card online for free, to send and spend money around the world at the mid-market exchange rate.
Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
You’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden costs, and you’ll avoid foreign transaction fees while withdrawing from ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights.
Learn more about the euro card
Tips for exchanging currency in Germany.
- The mid-market rate is the true exchange rate - with no sneaky hidden fees. Use an online currency converter before your trip to get a feel for what your money is worth and make sure you get a fair rate when you buy your travel money.
Familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
Convert GBP to EUR >
- Being offered to pay in your own currency at an ATM is a sneaky trick and causes many travellers to pay more than they need to. Always choose to pay in the local currency - in this case, euro - to cut your costs and get the best rates available.
Choose to be charged in Germany currency when withdrawing from ATMs.
- Currency exchange desks at airports and hotels often markup the exchange rates they use, and may charge hidden fees. Avoid this expensive option whenever you can.
Avoid changing currency at airports or hotels.
- Withdraw money, pay for meals in restaurants or spend in shops in euro, all at the mid-market exchange rate with the Wise debit card.
Use the Wise debit card to spend in Germany without rip-off fees.
Get your travel money card >
Spending money in Germany.
Paying by credit or debit card in Germany
You can use your credit or debit card in most shops, hotels and restaurants in Germany's cities.
However, you'll still stumble on places which can't process card payments from time to time, so carrying euros as an alternative makes good sense.
ATMs in Germany
ATMs are not hard to find in Germany, and provide a simple way to get any euro cash you need. Look for the Geldautomat signs in shopping centres, near banks or in train stations.
To get the best deal when spending on card or withdrawing money in Germany, don’t forget to use the Wise travel money card to avoid sneaky exchange rate markups and excessive fees.
German currency services.
Convert GBP to euro
Use our currency converter to see how much your money is worth in euro and familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
Send money to Germany
Need to send GBP to Germany? Use Wise for fast, low-cost, and secure online money transfers from the United Kingdom to Germany.
See the best euro exchange rates
Compare live euro exchange rates and see how much you could save with Wise.
Other helpful currency guides.
Other helpful currency guides.
Currency guide: | |||
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Austrian currency | Estonian currency | Latvian currency | Portuguese currency |
Balinese currency | Finnish currency | Lithuanian currency | Romanian currency |
Bulgarian currency | Greek currency | Malaysian currency | Russian currency |
Chinese currency | Hong Kong currency | Maltese currency | Slovakian currency |
Cook Islands currency | Indian currency | Mexican currency | Slovenian currency |
Costa Rican currency | Indonesian currency | Montenegrin currency | Spanish currency |
Croatian currency | Irish currency | Moroccan currency | Swiss currency |
Cypriot currency | Italian currency | New Zealand currency | UAE (Emirati) currency |
Dutch currency | Japanese currency | Peruvian currency | Ukrainian currency |
Egyptian currency | Kenyan currency | Philippine currency | Vietnamese currency |
German currency FAQs.
Get your Wise debit card and save on your trip to Germany
Spend smart, save money. Avoid sneaky bank fees when travelling, with Wise.
Order your card now