Foreign exchange

The Deutsche Bundesbank stopped accepting foreign banknotes (including from credit institutions) at the end of 2003. For more detailed information, please see our press release of 25 July 2003 (German only).

Foreign banknotes which are fit for circulation can be exchanged at credit institutions and foreign exchange bureaus. Banknotes which are no longer fit for circulation can be exchanged at the respective national central banks.

The euro legacy currencies can still be exchanged at the respective national central banks. The relevant addresses as well as information about possible time limits for the exchange are available on the European Central Bank's web site "Euro banknotes and coins / Exchanging national cash”.

Exchange periods applying within the euro area

The table below gives an overview of the exchange periods for euro legacy currencies (banknotes and coins) in the individual euro-area countries.