Currency in French Southern Territories: EUR Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in the French Southern Territories with the Euro.
What's in this French Southern Territories currency guide?
What currency is used in the French Southern Territories?
The official currency of the French Southern Territories (country code: TF) is the Euro, with symbol € and currency code EUR.
What is a good Euro exchange rate?
The BestExchangeRates.com currency comparison table below helps you see the total cost of your currency transaction by showing the exchange rates offered by different providers. It also makes it easy to spot potential savings from market-leading FX services compared to bank rates.
To see a full list of rates, enter your transaction type, currencies and amount then click ‘GET RATES’:
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Good things to know about the Euro
The euro (ISO: EUR) is involved in slightly more than 30% of all foreign exchange deals, and as such, is the world’s second most traded currency, behind the US dollar.
The euro is the currency of the eurozone (officially called the ‘euro area’), which consists of 19 of the 28 member states of the European Union, and is used by almost 350 million Europeans. It was introduced in January 1999.
Of all the thousands of exchange rates that exist in the world, the euro-to-US dollar exchange rate is the most actively traded, or most ‘liquid’.
Since its introduction, the euro’s lowest value against the dollar came in October 2000 when EUR/USD hit lows of 0.8231. The currency was strongest in July 2008, shortly before the worst stage of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, when EUR/USD reached 1.6038.
There are currently more than twenty nations and territories which peg their currencies to the euro, the largest of which is Denmark.
The euro banknotes and coins
The Euro is issued in banknotes of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500, and in coins of 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, €1, and €2.
The banknotes feature images of historical and cultural figures from across the European Union, while the coins depict each member country's unique design. The design of the Euro banknotes and coins is intended to be easily identifiable and difficult to counterfeit.
For more EUR information check out our selection of Euro news and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in the French Southern Territories?
The domestic currency in the French Southern Territories is the Euro.
What is the Euro currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Euro is EUR — symbol is €.
What does the Euro look like?
Here is an example Euro banknote:
Which countries use the Euro?
It is the domestic currency in Eurozone, Aaland Islands, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guinea, French Southern Territories, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Vatican City, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Portugal, Reunion, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
Is the Euro a closed currency?
No, the Euro is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and EUR?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to EUR (US dollar to Euro)*.
*Converted at the current USDEUR interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Travel money for the French Southern Territories
Using Wise for Euro travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.
For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Euro otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want Euro cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the EUR cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
French Southern Territories: Travel Guide
Traveling to the French Southern Territories requires careful financial planning to ensure a smooth and cost-effective experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate currency considerations and manage your money effectively during your visit.
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands (French: Terres australes et antarctiques françaises, TAAF) is an overseas territory (French: Territoire d'outre-mer or TOM) of France. It consists of: Kerguelen Islands (Archipel des Kerguelen), a group of volcanic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, southeast of Africa, approximately equidistant between Africa, Antarctica and Australia; St. Paul and Amsterdam islands (Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam), a group to the north of Kerguelen; Crozet Islands (Îles Crozet), a group in the southern Indian Ocean, south of Madagascar; Adélie Land (Terre Adélie), the French claim on the continent of Antarctica; the Scattered Islands (Îles Éparses), a dispersed group of islands around the coast of Madagascar. The territory is sometimes referred to as the French Southern Lands (French: Terres australes françaises) or French Southern Territories, usually to emphasize non-recognition of French sovereignty over Adélie Land as part of the Antarctic Treaty system.
The territory has no permanent civilian population. Those resident consist of visiting military personnel, officials, scientific researchers and support staff.
Everyday Costs in in French Southern Territories
How much does it really cost to live, work, or travel in French Southern Territories? Here's what to expect for daily expenses and expat living.
Currency Guide: French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TF)
Traveling to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TF) is a unique adventure, and a week-long stay will require careful budgeting. For a mid-range experience, travelers can expect to spend approximately 1,200 to 1,500 EUR (the territory uses the Euro, €) for a week. Typical daily expenses include a meal at a local restaurant (€20-30), a coffee (€3-5), public transport fare (€2), a prepaid SIM card (€20-30), and budget accommodation in a hotel or Airbnb (€70-120 per night). Overall, this destination can be considered expensive to visit compared to many other countries. When compared to the United States, prices in the TF tend to be slightly higher, especially for dining and accommodations. Comparatively, the UK also presents a similar expense pattern, though travelers may find the French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly costlier due to its isolation and limited availability of goods and services.
Expat Living Costs and Banking Insights
For expats living in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, monthly living costs can range between 2,000 and 2,500 EUR, depending on lifestyle choices and family size. Essentials like groceries, transportation, and local leisure activities can quickly add up. When it comes to managing finances, using a local bank may simplify transactions, but travelers and expats alike should remain aware of the exchange costs inherent in using international cards. It is advisable to utilize online money transfer services such as Wise or OFX, which often provide more competitive rates compared to local bank exchanges. These services can save you a considerable amount on fees when sending or receiving money internationally, especially when dealing in larger sums or needing to exchange currencies frequently. For day-to-day transactions, using a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees is also beneficial to reduce overall costs.
USD/EUR Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/EUR change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Recent Euro Market News
February 24, 2026
Key Developments Affecting the Euro (EUR):
1. ECB Maintains Interest Rates Amid Economic Uncertainty: On February 5, 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) held its deposit rate at 2.00%, maintaining a neutral, data-dependent stance. This decision came despite a stronger euro, which could potentially dampen inflation by reducing import costs. (analyticsinsight.net)
2. Bulgaria Adopts the Euro: On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria became the 21st member state of the eurozone, adopting the euro as its official currency. This marks the end of 146 years of Bulgarian Lev usage. (en.wikipedia.org)
3. Digital Euro Project Advances: The European Central Bank is progressing with the digital euro project, aiming for a potential first issuance by 2029, pending EU legislation in 2026. (en.wikipedia.org)
4. Eurozone Economic Forecasts: The European Commission's Spring 2025 Economic Forecast anticipates moderate growth amid global economic uncertainty, with inflation expected to decrease from 2.4% in 2024 to 1.7% in 2026. (economy-finance.ec.europa.eu)
These developments highlight the ECB's cautious approach to monetary policy amid economic uncertainties, the expansion of the eurozone, and ongoing efforts to modernize the euro through digital initiatives.
For more EUR information read our News and guides to the Euro.
Send Money to the French Southern Territories - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to the French Southern Territories you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to the French Southern Territories
When sending money to the French Southern Territories it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or Euro amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted EUR amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in the French Southern Territories.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Euro deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!
