This is a foreign exchange guide to Cyprus, the Euro currency plus sending EUR transfers and travel tips.
In this Cyprus currency guide we take a look at :
- Euro info - general info about the Euro
- Euro in the markets - recent EUR moves and predictions from the FX markets
- Travelling in Cyprus - currency & money saving tips
- Buying Euro cash online - travel money for Cyprus
- Sending money to Cyprus - save on Euro bank transfers to Cyprus
- Euro exchange rates - latest & historic exchange rates.
- EUR News - the latest Euro related articles from our blog.
Euro (EUR) general currency information
What is the Euro currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Euro is EUR and the symbol is €.
Which countries use the Euro?
It is the domestic currency in Eurozone, Aaland Islands, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guinea, French Southern Territories, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Vatican City, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Portugal, Reunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre And Miquelon, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
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.
Euro (EUR) in the markets
The Euro spent 2019 on a downwards trajectory, starting the year with highs at US1.1550 but then slid all year until October where it bottomed out at US$1.09 on Oct 1, close to long-term lows. Since then it has climbed back up towards the average rate for the year of US1.12, perhaps due to the less uncertainty around Brexit.
Euro sentiment dipped in mid-June after the ECB, like other major central banks of the world, ramped up its dovish rhetoric. It said that there was “considerable room” for further quantitative easing and that it would consider negative interest rates. Ordinarily, this would spark an extended euro decline but since other major currencies are also wrestling with easier central bank policies, euro depreciation may be contained.
In spite of Brexit, a slowdown in economic growth, Italian risks and persistently weak inflation — an important measure of inflation expectations fell in June to a record low — the euro did fantastically well against the Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar.
For more details read the full article Euro Forecasts.
The interactive chart below shows the USD to EUR exchange rate and trend for the previous 3 months:
Travel, Currency and Money saving tips for Cyprus
In ancient mythology, Cyprus is the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. In contrast, this third largest island in the mediterranean, has in modern times been dominated by antagonism between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north of the island, Cyprus has been divided into Greek Cypriot occupation (southern two-thirds) and Turkish Cypriot occupation (northern third). UN troops patrol the "Green Line" dividing that divides the country. Any entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus is illegal, and travellers doing so may face legal consequences. Therefore you are urged to travel via the recognised ports of entry (Larnaca and Paphos International Airports / seaports of Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaca (Larnaca), Paphos (Paphos) and Latsi.
Politics aside, as a travel destination, Cyprus has a multitude of wondrous sights and sounds to experience. From ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, nature watching for green turtles, scuba diving, and picturesque ports housing food and cafe culture.
Cyprus is an EU member state, and since 2008 the Euro has been the official currency. All banks plus many hotels in Cyprus offer currency exchange services. Major credit cards are widely accepted but always carry some cash for smaller restaurants, cafes, and shops.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of cash or gold if travelling from within the EU. However, transporting of 10,000Euro or more (or the equivalent in another currency) must be declared at customs.
Travel money for Cyprus
Save money and time by Ordering your Euro online from Travelex, you get better rates and can pick up the EUR cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Another popular option is to use a Pre-paid Travel Card. Your Debit/Credit Card provider will charge you 2% from market mid-rate, but your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash.
For card purchases if offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Euro otherwise you may get much worst exchange rates.
| Travel Money Providers | Amount EUR(€) | Exchange Rate | Fee USD | Total Cost | Deal Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Banks - Average Rate Foreign Currency Average Bank Rate | €783.98 Compare | 0.7919 | U$10 | 13.37% |
Cyprus Trip Checklist
- Compare EUR travel cash rates - probably why you are here!
- Search Hotel deals - Save on your accomodation in Cyprus
- Lonely Planet - world's best travel guide (coupon and deals)
Sending money to Cyprus
When searching around for information on how to get a good exchange rate when sending money to Cyprus you need to start with finding out the latest Euro foreign-transfer exchange rate.
Then compare your bank's exchange rates to several licensed FX providers exchange rate and fees to see how much you can save (we make that calculation easy here).
What are the limits on Sending Money to and from Cyprus?
There is an overseas transfer limit of 1 million Euros when transfering money out of Cyprus.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of cash or gold if travelling from within the EU. However, transporting of 10,000Euro or more (or the equivalent in another currency) must be declared at customs.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to Cyprus
When sending money to Cyprus 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 Cyprus.
Use our Send to EUR 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!
| Foreign Transfer Providers | Receive EUR(€) | Exchange Rate | Fee USD | Total Cost | Deal Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | €8,978 Best Overall | 0.8978 | 0^ | 0.8% | |
 | €8,937 €41 less | 0.8937 | 0 | 1.25% | |
Banks - Average Rate     Average Bank Rate | €8,652 €326 less | 0.8702 | 15 | 4.4% |
