Currency in Macau: MOP Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in Macau with the Macanese pataca.
What's in this Macau currency guide?
What currency is used in Macau?
The official currency of Macau (country code: MO) is the Macanese pataca, with symbol M$ and currency code MOP.
What is a good Macanese pataca 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 Macanese pataca
The Macanese pataca (MOP) is the official currency of Macau, a special administrative region of China located on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in East Asia. Here are a few things to know about the Macanese pataca:
- The Macanese pataca is abbreviated as MOP and is divided into 100 avos.
- The Monetary Authority of Macau is responsible for issuing and regulating the Macanese pataca.
- The exchange rate for the Macanese pataca is determined by supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.
- Macau has a large, diversified economy that is heavily reliant on tourism, with a significant portion of the country's GDP coming from the tourism industry. The country is also a major producer of textiles and has a growing financial services sector.
- The Macanese pataca has been pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 MOP = 1 HKD since 2005. This means that the value of the Macanese pataca is closely tied to the value of the Hong Kong dollar.
For more MOP information check out our selection of Macanese pataca news and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in Macau?
The domestic currency in Macau is the Macanese pataca.
What is the Macanese pataca currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Macanese pataca is MOP — symbol is M$.
What does the Macanese pataca look like?
Here is an example Macanese pataca banknote:
Which countries use the Macanese pataca?
It is the domestic currency in Macau.
Is the Macanese pataca a closed currency?
No, the Macanese pataca is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and MOP?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to MOP (US dollar to Macanese pataca)*.
*Converted at the current USDMOP interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Travel money for Macau
Using Wise for Macanese pataca 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 Macanese pataca otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want Macanese pataca cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the MOP cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Everyday Costs in in Macau
How much does it really cost to live, work, or travel in Macau? Here's what to expect for daily expenses and expat living.
Traveler’s Guide to Macao (MO)
For a week-long mid-range stay in Macao, travelers should budget approximately 12,000 MOP (Macao Pataca). This estimate comfortably covers accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities. Here’s a quick snapshot of typical daily expenses in Macao:
- 🍽️ Meal at a local restaurant: 100-200 MOP
- ☕ Coffee: 20-50 MOP
- 🚍 Public transport fare: 6-15 MOP
- 📱 Prepaid SIM card: 100-300 MOP (for a week)
- 🛏️ Budget hotel or Airbnb: 800-1,200 MOP per night
Overall, Macao can be considered an expensive destination, particularly when compared to the United States where the costs are also high, but options may be more varied. In contrast, the UK has some similar mid-range expenses, although dining and activities in Macao tend to be pricier, reflecting its unique status as a tourism hub with luxury offerings alongside more affordable choices.
Expat Living in Macao
For expats, typical monthly living costs in Macao can range from 20,000 to 30,000 MOP depending on lifestyle and housing choices. This budget generally includes rent, groceries, transportation, and leisure activities. In terms of banking, it’s advisable to open a local bank account to avoid high international transaction fees and to facilitate payroll deposits. Using debit or credit cards is quite convenient, but always check with your bank about overseas fees.
When it comes to exchanging money, while local exchange services are available, utilizing online transfer platforms like Wise or OFX could offer better rates and lower fees for sending or receiving money. Online services often provide more favorable exchange rates than traditional banks or local exchanges, making them a smart choice for managing your finances across borders.
USD/MOP Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/MOP change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Recent Macanese pataca Market News
Recent Developments Affecting the MOP (Macanese Pataca)
1. Macau Revenue Recovery: Increased gaming revenue in Macau is bolstering the economic outlook, which may strengthen demand for MOP. Source: Bloomberg
2. Tourism Rebound: A surge in tourist arrivals post-pandemic has positively impacted local businesses and consumer spending, supporting MOP stability. Source: Reuters
3. Currency Peg Stability: The MOP remains pegged to the HKD, which is influenced by the fluctuations of the CNY. Movements in the Chinese yuan can consequently affect the MOP rate. Source: HSBC
4. Policy Changes: Recent monetary policy adjustments by the Macau Monetary Authority could influence liquidity and investment flows in the economy. Source: Macao Monetary Authority
5. Regional Economic Trends: Broader trends in the Asian economic landscape, particularly recovery trends in China, play a role in determining the stability of the MOP against global currencies. Source: Financial Times
These factors should be monitored as they could significantly impact international transactions involving the MOP.
For more MOP information read our News and guides to the Macanese pataca.
Send Money to Macau - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Macau 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 Macau
When sending money to Macau 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 Macanese pataca 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 MOP amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in Macau.
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 Macanese pataca deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!