The short version
Cards work nearly everywhere (bring a no-foreign-fee one). Always choose to pay in the local currency when a terminal offers a choice: "dynamic currency conversion" is a bad deal, politely declined. Carry a little cash for markets, small cafés, and public toilets.
The euro zone
21 of 27 EU countries use the euro (€): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria (since 2026), Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. One currency from Lisbon to Helsinki, no exchange needed.
The other six
| Country | Currency | €1 = | €10 ≈ | €50 ≈ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czechia | Czech koruna (CZK) | 24.40 | 244 CZK | 1,220 CZK |
| Denmark | Danish krone (DKK) | 7.47 | 75 DKK | 374 DKK |
| Hungary | Hungarian forint (HUF) | 366 | 3,663 HUF | 18,313 HUF |
| Poland | Polish złoty (PLN) | 4.38 | 44 PLN | 219 PLN |
| Romania | Romanian leu (RON) | 5.34 | 53 RON | 267 RON |
| Sweden | Swedish krona (SEK) | 11.19 | 112 SEK | 560 SEK |
Official European Central Bank reference rates, last updated 2026-10-08. Fetched by our server, your browser never contacts the ECB. Street rates at exchange bureaus will differ; ATMs generally beat exchange counters.
Practical tips
- ATMs: use bank-attached machines and decline the "conversion" they offer. Avoid standalone tourist-zone ATM brands with steep fees.
- Tipping: modest everywhere. Round up or 5 to 10% for good service. It's appreciated, not obligatory; service is often included.
- VAT refunds: non-EU residents can reclaim VAT on larger purchases when leaving the EU, ask shops for tax-free forms and budget airport time for the customs stamp.
- Denmark & Sweden: close to cashless, cards or phone payments work for everything, including toilets and buses.
- Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania: some places quote euros at poor rates, paying in local currency is nearly always cheaper.
See also
- ECB reference rates, the source for the table above.
- Official list of euro countries.
- Our practical essentials links.