Monaco
Currency in Monaco: what to use and how to exchange
Monaco uses the euro (EUR, €), the same currency as France, so there is no border exchange to worry about. Bring a card for almost everything, keep €20–50 in cash for small cafés and buses, and withdraw from ATMs rather than using exchange bureaux. If you are based in Nice, get your cash there.
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GuideMonaco
Key facts
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €) — same as France
- Cards accepted
- Widely, including contactless; some small places have a minimum
- Cash needed for
- Small cafés, market stalls, buses, tips
- Best way to get euros
- Debit card at an ATM, or bring euros from France
- Exchange bureauxcheck
- Few and poor value; skip unless you have leftover foreign cash
- Typical ATM feecheck
- Local operator fee varies; your own bank may add 1–3%
- Card surchargecheck
- Some small merchants add a minimum spend rather than a fee
Details
Monaco is in a currency union with France: the euro is legal tender, prices are in euros, and coins and notes are identical to those you use in Nice, Menton or Paris. There is no Monégasque currency and no separate exchange rate at the border. If you arrive from France by train, you do not need to do anything.
The practical question is not which currency but how to pay. Monaco is a high-price, card-friendly place: hotels, restaurants, shops, the casino and taxis take Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is normal. American Express is accepted in more places than in most of France but not everywhere. Small family-run cafés, market stalls and some buses are the exceptions, so carry a little cash.
Getting euros: the cheapest route is a debit card at an ATM, ideally one run by a major bank rather than an independent machine in a tourist spot. Your own bank's foreign transaction fee (often 1–3%) usually beats any exchange bureau margin. If you are coming from Nice, withdraw or exchange there — you have far more choice and better rates than in Monaco. Exchange bureaux in Monaco exist but are few and tend to price for convenience.
Cards and ATMs are covered in more detail on the dedicated page; the short version is that you should have a backup card and know your PIN, because some French and Monégasque terminals still ask for it even on contactless.
Summary table
| Item | What to expect in Monaco |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Notes and coins | Same as France and the rest of the eurozone |
| Cards | Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; Amex in many places |
| Contactless | Common, but some terminals still ask for a PIN |
| Cash useful for | Small cafés, market stalls, buses, tips |
| ATMs | Available; operator fee varies, plus your bank's fee |
| Exchange bureaux | Few; rates usually worse than an ATM withdrawal |
| Best move from Nice | Bring euros or withdraw there before crossing |
Fees and acceptance change; treat the fee figures as 2026 estimates (check).
Tips
- Pay in euros, not in your home currency, if a terminal offers a choice — the conversion is usually worse.
- Decline the ATM's own conversion offer and let your bank do it.
- Keep a €20 note and some coins for buses and small purchases.
- Tell your bank you are travelling if it still requires it, and carry a second card separately.
- Keep receipts for anything you might claim on travel insurance.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Monaco?
The euro (EUR, €), the same currency as France. There is no separate Monégasque currency, and prices, notes and coins are identical to those in the rest of the eurozone.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Monaco?
Usually nowhere in Monaco. Withdraw euros from a bank ATM with a debit card, or change money in Nice before you cross the border, where there is more choice and better rates. Monaco's bureaux price for convenience.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Monaco?
Use a card for almost everything — hotels, restaurants, shops and taxis all take Visa and Mastercard. Carry €20–50 in cash for small cafés, market stalls, buses and tips.
Can I pay in French francs or another currency?
No. France uses the euro, and Monaco does too. Anything else will be converted at a poor rate or refused.
Do I need cash for the bus in Monaco?
It helps. Small fares are easier with coins, and not every machine or driver takes a card. Keep a few euros in change.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialEuropean Central Bank – euro
- officialGovernment of Monaco – official portal
- secondaryWikivoyage – Monaco