Luxembourg

Currency in Luxembourg: what to use and how to exchange

Luxembourg uses the euro (EUR, €). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including buses and small cafés, so most travellers need only €30–50 in cash for the odd bakery or market stall. Exchange at a bank or ATM rather than a station kiosk, and always pay in euros, not your home currency.

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Updated Sep 20263 min read

GuideLuxembourg

Key facts

Currency: Euro (EUR, €); 100 cents
Cash needed?: Rarely — €30–50 covers small stalls and tips
Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted widely; a few older kiosks take only Maestro or cash
Best exchange route: ATM withdrawal or bank counter, not airport or station kiosks
DCC: Always choose to pay in EUR, not your home currency
Tipping: Service included; round up or 5–10%
Cash limit: Large cash payments can require ID and proof of origin (check)

Details

Luxembourg has used the euro since 2002, and it is the only currency you need. Euro coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents plus €1 and €2; notes run from €5 to €500, though €100 and above are awkward in shops. Belgian, French and German euro notes and coins circulate freely here, so nothing needs changing at the border.

Cards work almost everywhere: supermarkets, restaurants, ticket machines, taxis and the paid extras on the public transport network. Contactless is standard. A small number of bakeries, market stalls and older kiosks still prefer cash or take only Maestro, so keep a note or two on you. American Express and Discover are less reliable outside hotels.

If you arrive with cash in dollars or pounds, exchange at a bank branch in Luxembourg City or at your hotel if the rate is posted, and compare before you commit. Airport and station kiosks usually give the weakest rate. ATMs are the simplest route: they are common in the capital and in towns such as Echternach, Vianden and Remich, and your home bank's rate plus a fixed fee is usually better than a counter. Decline any machine offer to convert the withdrawal into your own currency.

When a card terminal asks whether to charge you in EUR or your home currency, choose EUR. That is dynamic currency conversion, and the markup is typically 3–6%. The same rule applies at ATMs.

Luxembourg is a low-cash society, but not a cashless one. Carry €30–50 for small purchases, and note that some businesses ask for ID on large cash payments under EU anti-money-laundering rules (check).

For day-to-day spending, see the country's cost levels before you decide how much to bring.

Summary table

Summary table
Situation	Best move	Cost or note
Arriving with USD or GBP cash	Bank branch in Luxembourg City	Rate posted in branch; compare first
Need cash fast	ATM withdrawal in EUR	Home bank rate plus fixed fee
Airport or station kiosk	Skip unless an emergency	Weakest rates
Card terminal offers home currency	Choose EUR	DCC markup typically 3–6%
Small bakery or market stall	Pay cash	Keep €30–50 on you
Tipping	Round up or 5–10%	Service already included

Rates and fees change; treat the figures as 2026 estimates.

Tips

Tell your bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked.
Keep a €50 note for emergencies and small change for markets.
Use the same card for withdrawals to limit fixed fees.
Check your card's foreign transaction fee before you go; some charge 3%.
Keep receipts if you withdraw large amounts, in case a bank asks.
Coins add up fast — spend them rather than carrying them home.

Questions people ask

What currency is used in Luxembourg?

The euro (EUR, €). It has been the currency since 2002, and euro coins and notes from Belgium, France and Germany are accepted here without any conversion.

Where is the best place to exchange money in Luxembourg?

A bank branch in Luxembourg City or an ATM. Airport and station kiosks usually give the weakest rates. If you withdraw or pay by card, always choose euros rather than your home currency.

Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Luxembourg?

Use a card for almost everything and bring €30–50 in cash for small bakeries, market stalls and tips. Cards are accepted widely, including contactless, and public transport is free.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check