Need Cyprus money for your holiday?

The Currency in Cyprus changed to the Euro on January 1st 2008

One euro = 100 cents and there are eight euro coins:

• €1 and €2


• 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 cents

Each coin has a national side depicting the history, culture and nature of Cyprus.

The €1 and €2 euro coins bear the Pomos cross

The 10, 20 and 50 cent coins show the ancient ship of Kyrenia

and the small Cyprus money, the 1, 2 and 5 cent coins, carry the famous Cyprus moufflon.

The common side of the coins is the same throughout the EU and shows varying maps of Europe.

To see all the new coins click here: click here

There are seven denominations from 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 through to 500 euros.

Each note has a different colour and size - the larger the amount, the bigger the note. There are no national elements on the euro notes as they are common across Europe. On the front side, the notes show windows and gateways. The bridges on the back of the euro notes symobolise communication between the EU members and the rest of the world.

• Euro packs delivered to all residents with pictures of the new Cyprus currency and free calculators to convert pounds to euros and vice versa.
• Shops, restaurants and other businesses have been issuing receipts in both pounds and euros for the past six months to help residents recognise the new prices.
• Check out the Cyprus euro website for lots of useful information including video presentations, an online currency converter and company information if you run a business.
• Remember to order a cheque book in euros if you have not already done so.
• You will still be able to pay in Cyprus pounds until the end of January but it is worth getting some euros well before Christmas to avoid a last minute rush and an extra long queue at the bank!

Amusing fact: The euro currency has a high level of security to prevent fraud including dual-coloured coins (which are difficult to copy) and multiple holograms/security codes on bank notes.

At the start of December, the euro bank notes started to arrive in Polis. An enormous lorry arrived in the town accompanied by 2 police cars. The bank notes were shrink wrapped on palettes on the lorry and the vehicle visited every bank in the town.

Each palette of notes was cut open and piles of bank notes were transfered into each bank by the driver, with the police keeping an eye on the remaining notes left alone on the back of the lorry.

Just as well that Polis is a pretty safe place to leave so much Cyprus money lying around!

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