Currency in Europe: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound and More

Europe has a common currency, the euro, but not every country uses it. On a single tour you may need euros in Paris, Swiss francs in Lucerne and pounds in London. This guide explains the currency in Europe country by country and how Indian travellers can carry money safely and cheaply.

Twenty-one EU countries use the euro: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Andorra, Montenegro and Kosovo also use it. On most of our tours, the euro covers France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

In Switzerland many shops accept euros, but change is given in francs at a poor rate. In Scandinavia cards are used almost everywhere and some places no longer take cash.

• Multi-currency forex card: the best option for most travellers. Load euros, Swiss francs and pounds at a locked-in rate before you leave, and pay or withdraw like a debit card.
• Cash: carry some euros for small purchases, toilets, tips and markets.
• International credit card: a useful backup, but most Indian cards add a foreign currency mark-up plus GST on every transaction.

Always choose to pay in the local currency, not rupees, when a card machine asks: the conversion offered by the shop is usually worse.

On a group tour your hotels, most meals and sightseeing are already paid, so you mainly need money for shopping, snacks, optional excursions and personal expenses. Budget about €50–80 per person per day, more if you plan to shop for watches or perfume. Keep most of it on the forex card and a small amount in cash.

Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, an Indian resident can spend up to USD 250,000 abroad per financial year. When you buy foreign currency for a trip, banks and money changers sell up to USD 3,000 (or equivalent) in cash per trip, with the rest on a forex card or as travellers' payments. You may carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian rupees out of the country. Rules can change, so check with your bank before travel.

Approximate prices for planning; they vary by city and change over time.

Service is usually included in restaurant bills in Europe, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is appreciated. On group tours, many travellers tip the tour manager and local guides at the end; driver tips are already included on our tours.

1. Shop at stores that offer tax-free shopping and spend above the minimum for that country.
2. Ask for the tax-free form and show your passport.
3. At your last EU airport, get the form validated (often at a digital kiosk) before checking in your bag, as customs may ask to see the goods.
4. Claim the refund to your card or in cash at the refund desk.

Switzerland and the UK have their own rules: Switzerland offers refunds above a minimum spend per shop, while the UK no longer offers VAT refunds for tourists.

Save your forex card's 24-hour helpline and block the card in the app if it is lost. Keep a second card and some cash in a separate place. Your tour manager can help with emergency cash and police reports if needed.

• Buy forex in India a few weeks before travel, not at the airport.
• Compare the rate and fees on forex cards from different banks.
• Withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce ATM fees.
• Keep receipts and claim the VAT refund on large purchases.
• Spend or reload leftover currency on your next trip.