cash limit travelling within eu

Travelling in the EU

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As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

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What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 29 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

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The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

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People travelling with cash

If you are travelling to or from the EU by air, road, rail or sea with €10 000 or more in cash you must declare it to the customs authorities. This obligation is not designed to make your life difficult but to prevent money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other financial crimes. If you are travelling in a group, the €10 000 limit applies to each person individually.

Cash includes not only banknotes and coins in circulation all over the world but also cheques, promissory notes, money orders and traveller's cheques. It does not include currency out of circulation, antique coins, bullion coins and casino chips. Gold, precious metals and precious stones are not considered cash yet, but they will be soon.

The Cash Control Regulation , which is currently being revised, states that people who do not declare their cash may have it confiscated and receive a substantial fine. Customs authorities can carry out individual checks and checks on baggage and vehicles. All this may inconvenience law-abiding citizens, but it is done to prevent crime. You must fill in an EU Cash Declaration Form on entering and leaving the EU, in the official language of the country concerned. There are some non-EU language versions to help you understand the form if you are not from the EU.

Your personal information will be available to the intelligence agencies that monitor financial transactions, but it will be kept confidential to protect your security when carrying cash. Be aware that individual EU countries may have their own cash control rules and limits for travelling within the EU.

EU-wide limit for cash payments

The Decision for an EU-Wide Cash Payment Limit

Exclusion of traders in goods from obliged entities, private transactions: the exception, payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area, the continued use of cash.

In a significant move to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the European Union has introduced a groundbreaking regulation establishing an EU-wide limit for cash payments . This decision marks a pivotal shift in the EU’s approach to financial transactions, aiming to enhance transparency and security across its member states.

The EU’s decision to implement a limit for cash payments across all member states stems from the need to address the vulnerabilities associated with large cash transactions. Cash, by its nature, offers anonymity, making it a preferred medium for illicit activities. By setting a cap on cash payments, the EU aims to curb these risks, making financial transactions more traceable and less susceptible to misuse.

A notable aspect of this regulation is the removal of „traders in goods“ from the list of obliged entities under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) framework, with a notable exception. Dealers in precious metals and stones remain obliged entities due to the high risks of money laundering associated with these commodities. This targeted approach reflects a nuanced understanding of risk across different sectors, focusing regulatory efforts where they are most needed.

The EU has made a clear distinction by excluding private transactions between individuals from this limit. This exclusion acknowledges the importance of cash in everyday transactions among citizens, ensuring that personal and small-scale financial activities remain unaffected. This decision strikes a balance between enhancing security and maintaining the flexibility and convenience of cash for the general public.

The „Study on the Payment Attitudes of Consumers in the Euro Area (SPACE)“ provides valuable insights into how consumers use cash. Despite the digitalization of payments, cash remains a significant part of the economy, serving not just as a medium of exchange but also as a store of value. Many consumers prefer to keep cash reserves at home or in safety deposit boxes, highlighting the enduring role of cash in providing a sense of security and immediacy of access to funds.

The use of high-denomination banknotes, such as €100, €200, and €500, particularly underscores cash’s role as a preferred method for savings and large transactions among certain segments of the population. The SPACE study reveals varied attitudes towards cash, with differences across countries, income levels, and age groups, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of cash usage in the euro area.

The EU’s decision to set an EU-wide limit for cash payments represents a proactive step towards a more secure and transparent financial environment. By focusing regulatory efforts on high-risk sectors and excluding private transactions, the EU aims to mitigate risks without unduly burdening its citizens. The enduring preference for cash among consumers in the euro area, as highlighted by the SPACE study, underscores the importance of considering consumer behavior in shaping effective financial policies. This balanced approach reflects the EU’s commitment to safeguarding its financial system while respecting the diverse payment preferences of its residents

• Anti-money laundering: Council and Parliament strike deal on stricter rules https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/01/18/anti-money-laundering-council-and-parliament-strike-deal-on-stricter-rules/
• ECB „Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE)“ https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/other/ecb.spacereport202012~bb2038bbb6.en.pdf

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Travelling with cash and/or equivalent assets

You have to give notification to Swedish Customs if you are carrying the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent assets when travelling across an EU border.

To prevent money laundering and organised crime, and fight terrorism, you are obliged to give notification when carrying the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent assets when travelling across an EU border. Please note that some EU countries apply the notification duty even when travelling within the EU. Always verify what rules apply for your destination.

Besides notes and coins, “cash and equivalent assets” is also defined as traveller’s cheques, cheques, promissory notes, debt instruments, debentures, shares, money orders and securities.

Giving notification

You give notification to the responsible authority in either the first EU country you enter or the final EU country you exit. In Sweden, the responsible authority is Swedish Customs. You can give notification via the internet or on a form.

Give notification via the internet

Submit your notification via the internet and choose the green lane (“Nothing to declare”) in the surveillance area when you arrive in Sweden. If you gave notification via the internet, you do not have to contact Swedish Customs when you travel out of Sweden. Upon request, you must be able to present your notification number and any permits and other documentation required to fulfil importation or exportation requirements.

Give notification when travelling to or from the EU with cash and/or equivalent assets

Give notification using a form

Obtain a form in a surveillance area, at a customs office or here on the website. When you arrive in Sweden, you must choose the red lane (“Goods to declare”) in the surveillance area and submit the completed form to Swedish Customs.

When you are travelling out of Sweden, you must submit the form to Swedish Customs at, for example, a customs clearance office at the border or at a so-called red point in the airport.

More information

Cash and/or equivalent assets

Last updated: 2024-05-15

What is updated: Updated link.

Declaring cash you are carrying into or out of the European Union (EU)

If you are entering or leaving the EU and carrying cash worth €10,000 or more, you must declare it. Cash can be banknotes and/or coins. Declare your cash with customs in the country where you are entering or leaving the EU. If you leave or enter the EU via the Netherlands you should declare the amount with the  Douane (Dutch Customs).

Last updated on 4 April 2023

Lees deze informatie in het Nederlands

When do you need to declare cash amounts?

The Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) provides more information on the situations when you have to declare cash amounts . You do not have to declare cash amounts if you are travelling within the EU.

Declaring cash amounts

You must declare cash amounts  to the Douane (Dutch Customs).

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Algemene douanewet, artikel 3:2

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Obligation to declare cash when travelling to or from germany.

Banknotes of various international currencies, © Colourbox

Cash sums totalling 10,000 or more euros on trips to and from Germany must be declared to the customs authorities. This applies to both cash and equivalent means of payment.

Obligation to declare cash or equivalent means of payment when entering or leaving the EU

Any person entering Germany from a country which is not a member state of the European Union ( EU ) or leaving Germany for a non-member state and who is carrying cash or an equivalent means of payment with a total value of 10,000 or more euros is obliged to declare this amount unsolicited and in writing to the competent German customs authorities. The customs control units carry out inspections both at the border and within Germany to monitor compliance with this obligation. A substantial fine may be imposed on anyone who does not declare sums of cash or equivalent means of payment in excess of this limit or makes a false declaration.

Obligation to declare cash or equivalent means of payment when travelling within the EU

Any person entering Germany from an EU member state or leaving Germany for an EU member state and who is carrying cash or an equivalent means of payment with a total value of 10,000 or more euros, must orally declare this amount on entering or leaving the country when questioned by a customs official . A substantial fine may be imposed on anyone who does not declare sums of cash or equivalent means of payment in excess of this limit or makes a false declaration.

Information on a declaration within the EU :

• Information on the obligation to verbally declare cash money and equivalent means of payment upon frontier passage within the EU

Information on a declaration when coming from third countries (non-member of the EU ):

• Information sheet on the duty to declare cash/funds when entering Germany from a non- EU country or leaving Germany for a non- EU country

Declaration form :

• Cash declaration form
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People travelling with cash [What Europe does for you]

If you are travelling to or from the EU by air, road, rail or sea with €10 000 or more in cash you must declare it to the customs authorities.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for people travelling with cash.

If you are travelling to or from the EU by air, road, rail or sea with €10 000 or more in cash you must declare it to the customs authorities. This obligation is not designed to make your life difficult but to prevent money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other financial crimes. If you are travelling in a group, the €10 000 limit applies to each person individually.

Cash includes not only banknotes and coins in circulation all over the world but also cheques, promissory notes, money orders and traveller’s cheques. It does not include currency out of circulation, antique coins, bullion coins and casino chips. Gold, precious metals and precious stones are not considered cash yet, but they will be soon.

The Cash Control Regulation , which is currently being revised, states that people who do not declare their cash may have it confiscated and receive a substantial fine. Customs authorities can carry out individual checks and checks on baggage and vehicles. All this may inconvenience law-abiding citizens, but it is done to prevent crime. You must fill in an EU Cash Declaration Form on entering and leaving the EU, in the official language of the country concerned. There are some non-EU language versions to help you understand the form if you are not from the EU.

Your personal information will be available to the intelligence agencies that monitor financial transactions, but it will be kept confidential to protect your security when carrying cash. Be aware that individual EU countries may have their own cash control rules and limits for travelling within the EU.

Further information

• EPRS publication ‘Controls of cash movements’, 2016, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/593780/EPRS_BRI%282016%29593780_EN.pdf
• European Commission, website ‘Cash Controls’, https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/cash-controls_en
• The Cash Control Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:309:0009:0012:EN:PDF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROAYUMM2GZ8

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Cash payment: Cash limits in Europe

June 14, 2024

If you want to pay large sums of money abroad in the EU, for example when buying a car , there are a few rules you need to follow.

This is because many EU countries have cash limits. This means that cash payments can only be made up to a certain amount.

EU-wide single limit for cash payments from summer 2027

There is still no EU-wide upper limit for cash payments. But there will be one.  

As part of the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, EU lawmakers have decided to set a single limit of €10,000. Following the European Parliament's approval in April 2024, the Council of Ministers also approved the regulation at the end of May 2024. As soon as the regulation is published in the Official Journal of the EU, it can enter into force. However, the new regulation will only apply three years after its entry into force, i.e. probably from summer 2027.

The limit will not apply to transactions between private individuals who are not engaged in a commercial activity. 

Member States that already have lower cash limits may retain them.

Important to know

• In euro countries, there is no obligation to accept more than 50 coins at a time.
• It may also happen that traders refuse larger euro notes (e.g. a €200 note).
• Anyone entering or leaving the EU with a total of more than €10,000 in cash must declare it to national customs.

Click on each country to find out more about cash limits.*

For goods and services, the limit for cash payments is EUR 3,000. This restriction does not apply to payments between consumers.

According to Belgian law , special regulations include the following:

• The purchase price for the acquisition of real estate may not be paid in cash.
• If copper cables are sold to a entrepreneur, the entrepreneur may not pay the purchase price in cash. Not even if the seller is a consumer.
• When buying and selling scrap metal and items containing valuable materials, cash payments between entrepreneurs are prohibited.
• If a consumer sells such valuable materials to an entrepreneur, the payment may only be made in cash up to an amount of 500 euros. The entrepreneur must also verify the identity of the selling consumer.

These restrictions do not apply if the execution of the contract takes place under the supervision of a bailiff.

Violations of the above restrictions are punishable by fines ranging from 250 euros to 225,000 euros.

Amounts of 10,000 levs (approx. 5,108 euros) or more may not be paid in cash. This also applies if this limit is only reached through several related payments.

Violations can be punished with a fine of up to 25 percent of the sum concerned (for entrepreneurs up to 50 percent).

For payments in another currency, the limit of 10,000 levs is set according to the exchange rate of the Bulgarian National Bank on the day of payment.

From January 2023 the following will apply: Legal or natural persons carrying out a registered activity in Croatia may not accept cash payments of 10,000 euros or more.

Czech Republic

Cash payments are possible up to and including 270,000 Czech crowns (approx. € 10,509) per day.

Violations of this rule are punishable by a fine of up to 500,000 kroner for consumers and up to 5,000,000 kroner for companies.

Here you can read the Czech legal text (in English).

No limit on cash payments between private individuals.

As soon as an entrepreneur is involved, however, there is in fact a maximum limit. 

Because in Danish law there are, among other things, the following special regulations:

• Traders are not allowed to accept cash payments of 20,000 Danish kroner (approx. 2689 euros) or more. This does not apply to banks and other financial service providers.
• Traders are obliged to accept cash up to 20,000 kroner between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (in areas with a high crime rate until 8 p.m.). The obligation applies when traders accept certain types of payment, especially card payment.
• The use of 500-euro notes as well as 25-Øre coins is prohibited.
• When paying an amount in coins, a maximum of 25 coins per transaction may be used. The maximum amount that may be paid exclusively in coins is DK 962.50 (approx. 129 euros).
• For services or purchases of goods related to services, cash payment is not recommended for amounts of DK 8,000 (approx. 1075 euros) or more. The reason: if the trader does not pay the income tax and VAT on the purchase price, the consumer can be held jointly responsible. The buyer can exempt himself from this liability by reporting the purchase to the competent tax office (within 14 days after payment, at the latest one month after receipt of the invoice).

Below you will find the relevant Danish laws (in Danish):

• LBK nr 1062 af 19/05/2021
• 2020/1 LSF 193
• LOV nr 652 af 08/06/2017
• BEK nr 928 af 19/09/2008
• LBK nr 1803 af 12/12/2018

No limit on cash payments.

Cash can be rejected from 50 coins or banknotes, regardless of the value.

The Estonian central bank as well as credit institutions, on the other hand, must accept cash / banknotes without any restriction.

There is no legal limit for cash payments.

However, the trader is also not legally obliged to always accept cash payments. Such procedures must be clearly communicated, for example in the form of signs at the entrance of a shop, e.g. refusing to accept more than 50 coins or a large banknote.

Read more about paying cash in Finland.

The limits for cash payments are as follows: 

• The cash limit is 1,000 euros for taxpayers resident in France.
• For non-resident taxpayers acting as consumers, the limit increases to 15,000 euros.
• Payments in connection with property purchases that are notarised may be paid in cash up to a maximum of 3,000 euros.
• Cash payments between private individuals, for example when buying a car , are not limited. The issuing of an invoice is mandatory for amounts over 1,500 euros in order to be able to prove payment.
• Taxes can be paid in cash up to a maximum of 300 euros.

Traders are obliged to accept cash, otherwise a fine of max. 150 euros may be imposed.

Traders may refuse to accept damaged banknotes. The same applies if there are safety concerns (for example, if a payment is made at night). If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the banknote, the merchant may ask you for your identity and the origin of the banknote.

Traders are allowed to refuse payments with more than 50 coins, as well as banknotes that significantly exceed the amount to be paid.

Below you will find corresponding French laws and further information (in French):

• Art. R642-3 - Code penal
• Art. 1680 Code général des impôts
• Art. L.112-6 - Code monétaire et financier
• Paiement en  espèces

There is no upper limit for cash payments.

However, anyone wishing to pay more than €10,000 in cash must show identification. The merchant must then collect the following information Name, first name, place and date of birth, nationality and home address. This information must be recorded and retained by the dealer.

For the anonymous purchase of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.), a cash payment limit of 1,999.99 euros has applied since January 2020. For precious metal purchases above this amount that are paid for in cash, the retailer must verify the identity of the customer.

Since 1 April 2023, cash payment for the purchase of real estate has been prohibited.

The maximum limit for cash payments is 500 euros.

Higher amounts must be paid by bank transfer, bank card or cheque.

There is no cash limit for car purchases.

In Greece, there is talk of changing the law to limit cash payments to 200 euros. 

Consumers can pay in cash without restriction.

A limit of 1.5 million Hungarian HUF (approx. 41,695 euros) per month applies to legal entities, business associations and individuals who are subject to VAT.

According to the law, there is no limit for cash payments.

In practice, however, it may well happen that traders only accept cash up to a certain amount.

Italy has raised the limit for cash payments. 

From January 2023, the limit for cash payments will be €5,000 (previously €2,000).

The maximum amount that can be paid in cash is 7,200 euros.

Violations are sanctioned with fines amounting to 15 percent of the sum concerned.

Land purchase contracts may generally not be carried out with cash.

As of November 2022, the cash payment limit for natural and legal persons will be 5000 euros.

No limit for cash payments.

However, for cash payments of €10,000 or more, merchants must verify the identity of the customer, keep the documents for at least 5 years and inform the competent authority in Luxembourg if money laundering is suspected.

Certain items and goods may not be paid for in cash for an amount of 10,000 euros or more. This includes antiques, real estate, jewelry, precious metals, pearls, precious stones, automobiles, boats, and works of art.

Violations will be punished with a fine of at least 40 percent of the amount in question.

To the Maltese legal text (in English).

Netherlands

There is currently no limit on cash payments to private individuals.

However, for cash payments of €10,000 or more, the seller is obliged to carry out a detailed check on the customer (customer due diligence).

The seller can also decide whether to accept cash at all or only up to a certain amount.

There is an obligation to report suspicious payments over €2,000. This applies, for example, to the banking sector, freelancers, insurance companies and casinos.

The Dutch government is working on a bill that would ban cash payments above €3,000.

In Norway there is a right to pay with cash.

There is no limit for cash payments between individuals.

However, as soon as an entrepreneur is involved, there is in fact a maximum limit.

The Norwegian law sets the following restrictions:

• When paying for items with a value of up to and including 40,000 Norwegian kroner (approx. 3841 euros), the seller may not accept a cash payment. This also applies if the amount is paid in several installments.
• When purchasing services or goods related to services, cash payments are not recommended if the amount exceeds 10,000 Norwegian kroner (approx. € 958).  The reason: if the service provider does not pay income tax, VAT and social security contributions, the consumer can be held responsible.
• When paying an amount in cash, no more than 25 coins per unit must be accepted.

You can find relevant Norwegian laws here (in Norwegian):

• Lov om Norges Bank og pengevesenet mv . (sentralbankloven)
• Lov om tiltak mot hvitvasking og terrorfinansiering ( hvitvaskingsloven)
• Lov om betaling og innkreving av skatte- og avgiftskrav  (skattebetalingsloven)

For payments between traders, the limit for cash payments is PLN 15,000 (approx. EUR 3300).

If natural persons are involved, there are no limits.

Changes to cash limits in Poland planned for January 2024 have been abandoned.

Payments of a value of 3,000 euros or more may not be made in cash.

The Portuguese law also contains the following separate regulations:

• For a person liable to income or corporate tax in Portugal, cash payments of 1,000 euros or more are not permitted.
• If the payment is made by a consumer who does not have a place of residence in Portugal, cash payments are only prohibited from an amount of 10,000 euros or more.
• Taxes may only be paid in cash up to and including 500 euros.

Payments to entrepreneurs may only be made in cash as long as they do not exceed 5,000 Romanian lei (approx. € 1016) per day.

For the delivery of goods and services, this limit is 10,000 lei (approx. € 2033) per day.

Payments between consumers, e.g. for the purchase of a good, service or for rent, may only be made in cash as long as the amount is below 50,000 lei (approx. €10,165) per day.

From 1 July 2023, the cash payment limit for all natural and legal persons in Slovakia will be €15,000.

Traders are only allowed to accept cash payments up to and including 5,000 euros.

Payments to traders or from traders may no longer be made in cash from an amount of 1,000 euros or more.

For a consumer who does not have a tax residence in Spain, the ban on cash only applies to an amount of 10,000 euros or more.

If this rule is violated, the penalty is 25 percent of the sum concerned.

You can find relevant Spanish laws here (in Spanish):

• Ley 11/2021

There is no limit for paying with cash.

However, a trader can refuse to accept cash. This must then be made known clearly and in good time (for example by means of a corresponding sign in front of a shop).

Healthcare services must always accept cash payments.

More information in Swedish can be found here.

United Kingdom

The consumers can make cash payments without any limits.

The traders, however, need to register themselves with tax authorities as 'High Value Dealers' if accepting cash payments in excess of € 10,000. Exclusions apply.

Good to know : In England and Wales, you pay with English pound notes. However, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the English pound notes may not be accepted. Likewise, the Scottish and Northern Irish pound notes may not be accepted in shops in England and Wales.

With regard to the change, there are unlimited payments of £ 5, £ 2 and £ 1. Coins with a face value of 50p, 25p and 20p can pay amounts up to £ 10, with 10p and 5p up to £ 5 and with 2p and 1p up to 20p.

Below you will find relevant UK legislation and further information:

• Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
• Coinage Act 1971
• Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954
• What is legal tender? | Bank of England

*The information comes from our colleagues in the  European Consumer Centres Network  and was last checked in 2023. We make no claim to completeness.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

You might also be interested in

• Sales periods in Europe
• Guarantees and warranties in the EU
• Border controls and customs
• Counterfeit products 

Useful links

• Council of the EU: Press release 30.05.2024
• EU Parliament:  Press release 17.01.2024
• EU Commission: Beating financial crime

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FPS Finance

fin.belgium.be myMINFIN

Attention, please make an appointment to go to any of our offices .

I am travelling within the EU

When entering or leaving Belgium from or to another EU member state , both accompanied and unaccompanied liquid assets above a value of 10,000 euros must be declared if requested by customs .

In this case only cash and negotiable bearer instruments are considered as liquid assets. Gold does not have to be declared.

As of 4 September 2021, new declaration forms are applicable for movements within the European Union.

You can consult the new declaration forms for liquid assets when entering or leaving Belgium from or to another EU member state below:

Fine: 10,000 euros cash when travelling to Germany

Have you taken more than 10,000 euros cash abroad or entered the Germany with a lot of cash? If so, you could face severe fines of up to 1 million euros. The same applies to cash equivalent to cash, such as savings books, gold and cheques. Any person travelling with…

Cash when travelling within the EU

Cash when travelling out of/into the eu, what counts as cash and is reportable, cheques, savings books or gold must be registered, who must declare cash, disclosure duty at all means of transport, cash not reported – fine threatens, control-despite-cash-below-the-limit-of-10,000-euros, important answers to cash filing.

Have you taken more than 10,000 euros cash abroad or entered the Germany with a lot of cash? If so, you could face severe fines of up to 1 million euros. The same applies to cash equivalent to cash, such as savings books, gold and cheques.

Any person travelling with cash, gold, cheques or other equivalent cash with a total value of 10,000 euros must declare this to the competent customs office. This applies to travel within the European Union orally and on questioning . For journeys to non-European countries, this must be done in writing in advance.

Violations of this are punished by the customs administration and fines fixed.

Carrying more than €10,000 and caught by German customs?

If you entered Germany with more than €10,000 in cash and have been threatened with a fine by customs at the airport, please contact our customs lawyers directly on +49 40 369615-0 . Please do not make any statements, before we have spoken.

The movement of cash, gold, cheques and other cash within the Member States of the European Union shall be monitored. The control units of the Customs and the Federal Police supervise the borders of the Federal Republic. In this respect, controls can take place at ports, airports or even on trains that travel across borders.

Both those entering and leaving Germany who are carrying more than 10,000 euros in cash must declare this amount verbally to the customs officers on request. So if you are asked to declare your cash at a customs check, you must declare the type and value of the cash verbally . The obligation to declare is therefore only verbal and on questioning . You do not have to fill in a registration form before you start your journey. However, when questioned, you must be able to explain the origin of the cash, the beneficial owners and the intended use.

If cash is concealed when questioned and then found after all, penalties may be incurred here.

Do you want to import or export more than €10,000 cash from or to a non-EU country to Germany? Please note that you must declare the amount unrequested in writing to customs . This also applies to travel to Switzerland. For this purpose, you must use the form “Declaration of cash” from customs. You can fill in the form electronically or by hand. It must be signed when they present it at the customs office.

The obligation to declare cash over €10,000 also applies to transit flights . So if you are travelling by plane originating in a non-EU country and are in the transit zone of a Member State airport before proceeding to another third country, you must likewise declare your cash in writing .

If you fail to declare cash or give false information about cash you are carrying while travelling, you could face serious fines .

Notifiable is in any case cash. This is to be understood as:

• Banknotes and coins, which are valid means of payment
• Banknotes and coins, which are not valid means of payment but can still be exchanged for a currency that is valid means of payment. This is still possible, for example, with the German mark or the Austrian schilling when exchanging them for euros.

Foreign currencies must be converted into euros using the exchange rate on the day of entry or exit in order to check whether the exemption limit of €10,000 has been exceeded. In the case of collector and investment coins , the actual value and not the nominal value indicated on the coin is taken as a basis. Casino gambling tokens, which serve as currency in casinos, are not considered cash.

Please note that other means of payment are also considered cash by law and must therefore be declared when travelling. These include, for example:

Transferable bearer instruments:

• cheques/travellers cheques
• payment orders
• Electronic money
• Credit cards

Means of payment equivalent to cash:

• Savings books
• Precious metals, such as gold, platinum or silver
• Bills of exchange, interest coupons and bonds
• Gold coins with a gold content of at least 90%
• Uncoined gold in the form of bars, nuggets or nuggets with a gold content of at least 99.5%

In principle, jewellery and other goods made of precious metals or precious stones do not have to be displayed. However, jewellery purchased while travelling must be declared . Up to an exemption limit of €300, no customs duty or import VAT is due. For air or sea travellers, the allowance is €430. As soon as this amount is exceeded, an import turnover tax of 19 % of the purchase price must be paid.

When travelling with gemstones , such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds , you must observe the import and export regulations of the respective country of travel. You must declare raw diamonds as part of a customs declaration. This is to prevent the import of “blood diamonds” .

Have you received a penalty notice?

Our lawyers at O&W from Customs Law assist you and your company with questions regarding notices of fines. Before any statements are made to Customs, consultation with our Customs Law lawyers should take place. You can reach our lawyers by telephone at +49 40 369615-0 .

All persons entering from outside the EU with cash in excess of €10,000 are required to declare. If travellers within the EU exceed the upper limit of the amount, they must be able to declare it to customs officials when asked.

Persons subject to declaration include:

• Natural persons, including crew members, travelling within or outside the EU by air, land, rail or sea.
• Legal persons, so if a person is carrying cash on behalf of a company, that person must declare the name of the company when making the cash declaration.
• Also in the case of group travel , a declaration obligation applies from 10,000 euros for each individual member of the group
• Minors are subject to the same declaration obligation as adults. They are represented by their parents or legal representatives when registering cash.
• Persons with mental disabilities and incapacitated adults are also subject to the obligation to register cash. Here, too, the legal representative acts vicariously.

The duty to report applies to travellers of all means of transport travelling with cash and equivalent means of payment with a total value of 10,000 euros:

• Airplane/ transit flight
• Pedestrian/ cyclist

You must declare your cash, gold and other cash as soon as you carry it on your body, in your luggage or in your means of transport and it exceeds the total value of 10,000 Euros.

It is a regulatory offence for travellers to act untruthfully, incompletely, untimely or not at all when requested to do so by customs officials.

This administrative offence can be punished with a fine of up to one million euros under section 31 a of the Customs Administration Act.

If the information is complete and conclusive and there are no indications of money laundering or financing of terrorism , you can continue your journey without hindrance. If, on the other hand, there are indications of money laundering or the financing of terrorist organisations, the cash carried will be confiscated and the facts will be clarified.

If you do not have a permanent residence or residence in Germany , you will incur additional costs. If you violate the obligation to report, you must pay a certain amount of money as security for the implementation of the fining procedure . This amount of money is intended to ensure the proper implementation of the fining procedure . The amount shall be deposited with the competent customs office.

Do you have questions about the fine procedure?

Our lawyers at O&W from the customs law assist you and your company with questions regarding the fine proceedings. You can reach our lawyers by telephone on +49 40 369615-0 .

There may also be checks and questions by customs officers at the borders if you are travelling with less than 10,000 euros cash . This can be done either on a random basis or on the basis of indications of criminal activity. The controls are intended to reduce the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing . Customs may temporarily detain the cash until the facts of the case are clarified.

Do you have questions about the criminal and administrative offence procedure in customs law?

Before making any statements to customs, contact our customs criminal lawyers at +49 40 369615-0 .

If in doubt, find out exactly whether and how cash must be declared before risking a fine.

Does registering cash carry charges?

No, the form as well as the registration are free of charge.

Is it possible to register cash online?

No, you must lodge the declaration form at the customs office through which you are entering or leaving the EU.

You can obtain the declaration form online at: Form 040000 or from customs officials. You can fill in the form by hand or electronically and it must be signed.

How much money can you take with you within the EU?

From a total value of more than 10,000 euros, the amount must be disclosed orally on entry or exit when questioned by the control officers. If the amount can be disclosed orally, it is also possible to travel with higher amounts of money than 10,000 euros.

How much money can you take outside the EU?

For a total value of more than 10,000 euros, this amount must be declared in writing to the competent German customs office unasked when entering or leaving the country. Once this has been done, it is possible to travel with more cash than 10,000 euros.

Do I have to declare gold when entering or leaving the country?

Yes, since 3 June 2021, coins with a gold content of at least 90% and unmined gold in the form of bars, nuggets or nuggets with a gold content of at least 99.5% must be declared. This applies as soon as the gold exceeds a total value of 10,000 euros.

How much cash can you take on the plane ?

On a plane, it is compulsory to declare cash with a total value of more than 10,000 euros.

Where must the cash declaration be made?

You must make the declaration at the customs office through which you are entering or leaving the EU. When doing so, pay attention to the opening hours of the respective customs office. You are obliged to submit the declaration unprompted . This also applies if you are not stopped and questioned by customs officials. If you are entering Germany by plane from a non-EU country, you may not use the green exit, but must hand in the declaration at the red exit.

Further information?

• Video: How to declare cash on arrival
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/776 of 11 May 2021 Cash Monitoring
• Sheet on the obligation to declare cash and equivalent means of payment when travelling within the European Union
• Merkblatt zur Anmelde- und Anzeigepflicht von Barmitteln und gleichgestellten Zahlungsmitteln bei der Einreise aus einem Nicht-EU-Staat nach Deutschland und bei der Ausreise aus Deutschland in einen Nicht-EU-Staat
• Formular Anmeldung von Barmitteln

Dieser Artikel wurde am 23. June 2022 erstellt. Die fachliche Zweitprüfung hat Rechtsanwalt Dr. Tristan Wegner durchgeführt.

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How much cash can you travel with

Take note of the rules and limits for taking cash abroad

Many holidaymakers don’t need to worry about the laws around how much money you’re allowed to bring into other countries.

However, if you’re planning to give cash as presents to loved ones abroad, are travelling with a large amount of money to fund a globe-trotting adventure, or perhaps have a cash deposit for an overseas property, then it definitely pays to know the legal limits.

Here we explain the answer to “how much money can I take abroad?” as well as rules around bringing cash into the UK, and any potential fines you may have to pay.

How much money can I bring into a foreign country?

If you’re wondering “how much money can I take abroad?”, the answer is it depends on the country you’re travelling to. 

Some countries have laws on the amount of cash someone can bring in, and there are rules around declaring cash at customs. Here’s a handy list of what you can bring into some countries:  

Travelling to an EU country   – cash above €10,000 must be declared

USA – cash above $10,000USD must be declared 

Canada - cash above $10,000CAD must be declared

Australia - cash above $10,000AUD must be declared 

New Zealand - cash above $10,000NZ must be declared 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - cash above DH60,000 must be declared 

Thailand  - cash above THB500,000 must be declared 

Indonesia - cash above IDR 100 million must be declared; any money above IDR 1 billion will be confiscated

India - cash rupees above 125,000INR or any foreign currency worth more than $5,000USD (or $10,000 cash and travellers’ cheques combined) must be declared.

Is there a limit on how much cash you can take out of the UK?

As well as potential restrictions on how much money you can bring into a foreign country, there are also rules around the amount of cash you can take out of the UK. 

If you’re travelling abroad from the UK with £10,000 cash or more, you’ll need to declare it with UK customs . This includes notes and coins, bearer bonds, travellers’ cheques and other cheques (including those that are signed but not made out to a person or organisation). 

You can make the declaration online to HMRC, or over the phone, up to 72 hours before you plan to travel. If you fail to make the declaration, your cash could be seized by a Border Force officer, and you may have to pay a fine of up to £5,000 to get it back.

Where can I buy money for travel?

You can buy holiday money online or in person at a bureau de change. For foreign currency with no commission fees , pop into one of the bureaux de change in our John Lewis & Partners shops, or order online. You can either pick up the travel money at a John Lewis or Waitrose near you, or have it delivered to your home the next working day.

Exchange rates in our shops may vary from those offered online.

How much cash can I bring into the UK from abroad?

There is no cash limit to bring into the UK money from abroad, however you do need to declare if you bring cash to the UK of £10,000 or more.

When you arrive in the UK, follow the “goods to declare” or “red channel” signs, and tell a Border Force officer you want to declare cash. There are more details about how to do this on the UK government website. 

If you’re looking to exchange leftover travel money when you arrive home from your holiday, you can sell it back at a John Lewis Bureau de Change. We offer competitive rates with no commission fees.

How much money should I take on holiday?

There’s no right or wrong response to this. It depends on your budget and the type of holiday, and of course, you must be careful not to breach any of the rules around how much cash you can travel with.

If you’re wondering whether to take cash or a debit, credit or prepaid card on your travels, take a look at What are the Best Ways to Spend Money Abroad .

Travel money

It’s handy to have some local cash when you go on holiday. For foreign currency at great rates, pop to a Bureau de Change in our John Lewis & Partners shops around the UK or order online using our currency converter .

How to avoid card charges abroad

If you’re thinking of using a bank card abroad, make sure you check what fees you could be charged.

Best ways to spend money on holiday

By planning ahead , you can reduce the charges and get a great deal on your holiday money.

Tipping tips for your next holiday

It’s worth having plenty of euros, pesos or rubles ready to avoid any awkward moments.

John Lewis Money and John Lewis & Partners Bureau de Change are both trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England (Registered Company Number 233462). John Lewis plc introduce the panel of carefully chosen providers in Bureau de Change products and services, whom each hold the appropriate licences with the Financial Conduct Authority and HMRC.

Foreign Currency online from both John Lewis Money and John Lewis & Partners is provided by First Rate Exchange Services Limited registration number 04287490 (Money Service Business licence number MLR-64068), whose registered office is at Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, West London, TW8 9DF England.

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