Euro (Eur;) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Eur;500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Eur;2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Eurocheques are no longer guaranteed and can no longer be accepted for encashments. However, they may still be used for payments without the guarantee in certain places.

Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, post offices, airports, railway stations, ports and major hotels at the official exchange rates.

These are accepted in approximately 60 per cent of all shops, petrol stations, restaurants and hotels. Nationals of other Western European countries, Canada and the USA will find less credit card availability than they are used to in their own countries and it is advisable to carry cash or a Eurocheque card as well. All major credit cards are accepted.

Generally provide the best rate of exchange. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Visitors are advised to have their traveller's cheques exchanged at bureaux de change as banks often refuse to change them and they are not accepted as payment in general stores.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency.

Date	Jul 06
£1.00=	Eur;1.45
$1.00=	Eur;0.79

Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1300 and 1400-1600, Thurs 0830-1300 and 1430-1730 in main cities. Main branches do not close for lunch. Bureaux de change in airports and main railway stations are open 0600-2200.

The following goods may be imported into the Federal Republic of Germany without incurring customs duty by visitors arriving from countries outside the EU:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits with an alcohol content exceeding 22 per cent by volume or 2l of spirits or liqueurs with an alcohol content not exceeding 22 per cent by volume or 2l of sparkling or liqueur wine; 2l of any other wine; 50g of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extracts; personal goods to the value of Eur;175.

(a) The tobacco and alcohol allowances are granted only to those over 17 years of age. (b) Wine in excess of the above allowances imported for personal consumption and valued at less than Eur;128 will be taxed at an overall rate of 16 per cent.

On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.