Giving foreign currency as a gift is a concrete and useful gesture for a loved one heading off on a trip or settling abroad: here's how to go about it, which currencies to choose and how to reserve.
Why give foreign currency rather than ordinary money
A foreign banknote is a gift that makes sense. For a student leaving on Erasmus, a young person flying off for a summer job on the other side of the world, or a loved one fulfilling the trip of a lifetime, receiving the local currency directly solves a real problem: having cash immediately available on arrival, without depending on an ATM that's nowhere to be found, a card that gets declined or often steep foreign banking fees.
It's also a personalised gesture. Tucking a few dollars, pounds sterling, yen or baht into a farewell card carries far more presence than a simple bank transfer. The recipient arrives with peace of mind and can pay for a taxi, a meal or a housing deposit from the very first hours, precisely the time when you need cash.
Which currencies to choose depending on the destination
The choice depends above all on the destination country and local payment habits. A few useful pointers:
- Studies in Europe outside the eurozone: the pound sterling (United Kingdom), the Swiss franc, the krona/krone (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian) or the Polish zloty. In these countries cards are king, but a working float of cash remains reassuring in the first few days.
- Trip or internship in the United States and Canada: US dollar and Canadian dollar. In the United States, tipping in cash is part of daily life: keeping small denominations on hand is a genuine help.
- Asia: Japanese yen, Thai baht, Vietnamese dong, Indonesian rupiah. Many of these destinations remain very attached to cash, particularly in markets, local transport and small shops.
- Emirates, Morocco, Turkey: dirham, Turkish lira. Here too, cash makes those first journeys easier and helps with bargaining in the souks.
At Paris Change, you have access to our available currencies, more than 53 currencies, which covers the vast majority of study and travel destinations. You can check the currencies on offer before deciding, rather than running from one bank to another.
Anticipating the particularities of each currency
Some currencies are handled differently. For Japan, it's best not to put everything on large denominations, as many small shops prefer low-value notes and coins. For countries where the local currency is not freely exportable, such as the Indian rupee, which is subject to restrictions on taking it out of the country, the US dollar often remains the best gift, easily exchanged once on site. If in doubt, the in-store team can point you towards the most practical solution for the destination concerned.
How to give foreign currency: the steps to follow
The process is simple and quick:
- Choose the amount and the currency. Think of a sum that's useful for the first few days rather than a huge amount: a few hundred euros' equivalent is generally enough to help out and bring joy.
- Reserve online. Online reservation lets you lock in the desired amount, then come and collect it in store. It's ideal for preparing a gift stress-free.
- Collect in store. Collection takes place at the counter, where you are handed the notes in suitable denominations.
- Present it nicely. An envelope, a travel card or a small wallet turn the handover into a real moment.
Paris Change is a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), which guarantees a regulated and secure framework for your transactions. The exchange is carried out without commission: the rate displayed at the counter is the rate that applies, with no hidden fees nibbling away at the gift.
Good to know about rates and declarations
Exchange rates are counter rates, indicative and liable to vary each day according to the market. To give a precise amount in the currency, the best approach is to check the day's rate at the time of reservation. On the regulatory side, remember one simple rule: any transport of cash equal to or greater than €10,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency) when entering or leaving the European Union must be the subject of a customs declaration. For a farewell gift, you almost always stay well below this threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reserve foreign currency for someone else?
Yes. You reserve online the amount and currency of your choice, then come and collect the notes in store. You pay and pick up the gift, and you're then free to give it to the person concerned.
What is the best currency to give if I don't know the exact destination?
The US dollar and the euro are the most widely accepted and re-exchanged currencies in the world. If in doubt, they're a safe bet, easy to use or to convert back on site.
Are there any fees on buying foreign currency?
No, the exchange is carried out without commission. The displayed counter rate is the one that applies, which makes the cost of the gift clear and transparent.
Prepare today a gift that truly accompanies your loved one on their adventure: browse our available currencies, reserve online and come and collect your notes at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, in Paris, in the Latin Quarter (Saint-Michel metro, line 4, RER B and C). Our bureau de change welcomes you 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm.
