What You Need to Know About Currency In Belgium

Belgium has made a huge impact on the gastronomical scene, from chocolate and beers to Belgian fries and waffles. But there aren’t just gourmet delights to savour.

This little country is home to beautiful castles and forts, famous battlefields, charming towns like Ghent and Bruges, and the unofficial capital of the European Union: Brussels.

What currency is used in Belgium?

The euro is used in Belgium and has been the official currency ever since it replaced the Belgian franc on 1 January 1999. Belgium joins 19 other countries in the eurozone – the region that uses the euro as legal tender.

What is the best currency to take to Belgium?

There is no doubt that it is best to take euros (EUR) to Belgium. While you can always exchange your Australian dollars (AUD) or US dollars (USD) once you arrive, foreign currency is generally not accepted in supermarkets, transport or accommodation.

Belgium Money

First things first, there’s technically no such thing as a ‘Belgian’ euro.

The euro uses a symbol you’re likely to recognise: €. Its currency code, which you can type into Google to find the best exchange rate, is EUR.

Coin Denominations

While Belgium mints its own coins with a national design on one side, these coins can be used everywhere in the eurozone.

And vice versa: any coins minted with national designs from other eurozone countries can be used in Belgium.

Belgian euro coins come in the standard eight denominations: one cent, two cents, five cents, ten cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, €1, and €2.

The ‘common’ side of the coin used across the eurozone features the numerical value of the coin and a map of the European Union.

On the reverse ‘national’ side, all coins bear the same design – although this design has been modified three times since Belgium adopted the euro. The first and second designs feature King Albert II while the third shows King Philippe.

Belgium is a technological hub, so you’ll rarely run into trouble using your debit or credit card, either for ATM withdrawals or direct payments. In fact, more than 90% of all Belgian transactions are made by card. Some of the best travel money cards include debit, credit and prepaid cards.

Just make sure you’re informed about the costs you may incur from your own bank by using the card overseas.

Major restaurants, stores, and hotels all accept the major plastic payment providers, like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cirrus, and Maestro. Smaller businesses may be a little more hesitant so it’s still a good idea to have some cash on hand.

Just as with bank cards, credit cards are commonly accepted in most Belgian businesses – you’ll have slightly more luck with a Visa or Mastercard card than with American Express or Diners Club.

Now it’s time to be savvy. You may incur fees by using your credit card overseas so research before you head off. These could include cash advance fees for ATM withdrawals, international transaction fees, and overseas ATM withdrawal charges.

Our recommendation is the 28 Degrees credit card option, which offers lower fees and charges than most.

Prepaid travel cards work by letting you load up in the currency of your choice and lock in the exchange rate.

Though you avoid some fees for spending in a foreign currency, you might end up squandering those savings on other charges, such as reload fees and inactivity fees. Travel cards also usually apply ATM withdrawal fees.

Not only this, it can often take days for your currency to actually load onto your card, leaving you potentially cash-strapped.

If you still like the idea of locking in the exchange rate, both the Wise and Revolut debit cards come with currency loading options.

ATMs are everywhere in Belgium, particularly in larger towns and cities like Brussels and Antwerp, so you’ll have no problem finding one when you need to withdraw cash.

Even better, ATM providers rarely charge fees for ATM use. Just remember, you may still have to pay fees to your home bank for using an ATM overseas and for currency conversions.

Some ATMs give you the option to be charged in euros or your home currency. If this happens, always choose euros to avoid the often atrocious exchange rate.

As a major tourist destination, Belgium has plenty of exchange bureaus, particularly in tourist hotspots like Brussels and Antwerp.

Currency exchange outlets that tend to offer better rates include DME Change and GFI Gold and Forex International.

Don’t be fooled by exchange bureaus offering ‘zero fees’ or ‘no commission’. They still need to make a profit so they’ll inevitably hide the charges in the exchange rate.

Airports and hotels have a monopoly on the tourist market and tend to exploit this by offering higher charges. If you can, avoid these bureaus in favour of currency exchange services in the cities.

Finally, when you exchange currency, check the notes you’re given. Some merchants refuse notes with even the slightest damage.

If you’re looking for value, add ‘buy currency’ to your travel planning list and secure your euro travel money before you leave home. This also frees up your time to explore Belgium.

There are three ways to buy euros from home:

Buying euros online to be delivered or for you to pick up in-store.
Swapping AUD for EUR at a currency exchange store.
Buying euros at the airport.

Since Australian airport exchange bureaus are among the most expensive in the world, it’s not a good idea to leave your currency exchange until the last minute.

Instead, get the most value by jumping online. Online currency exchange retailers like S Money can offer the real mid-market foreign exchange rates you see on Google or XE.

If you still prefer to exchange currency at a bricks-and-mortar bureau, head to one in the CBD as suburban outlets don’t usually offer the best deals.

It’s annoying returning from a trip with a wad of foreign cash but there are plenty of ways to dispose of these unwanted coins and notes:

Your airline might distribute envelopes for currency collection to donate to charities (check out Qantas’s Change for Good program with UNICEF).
Australian international airports often have collection boxes for unwanted currency, which is donated to charity.
Drop off your currency at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which then gives every cent to UNICEF.
Change your currency either at the airport or, better yet, with a money changer in the city.
Why not hold onto those euros for a friend just heading off? It’ll be a lovely surprise and going away gift for them!
Keep your money for later trips to Europe. The euro is the official legal currency of 19 eurozone countries and accepted by many more.

Many tourists waste money through not finding the best ways to exchange their currency.

To help you avoid this predicament, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most bang for your … euro:

Avoid the airports! Currency exchange bureaus at the airport charge epic fees. If you like a good deal – or even just a reasonable one – avoid these at all costs.
Only carry what you need – It can be expensive to change euros back into AUDs so only take what you think you’ll spend. Not only this – nobody likes to tuck wads of notes into their socks and toiletries for safekeeping on longer journeys.
Ask for a mix of denominations – Make it easy on yourself and the vendors by getting a mix of smaller notes.
Check your exchange rate – Google and XE.com are the standard market exchange rate but you’ll notice how wildly bank and currency exchanges can vary their rates. Try to get as close to the market rate as possible.
Look out for hidden fees – The bane of our (financial) existence, hidden fees will often make a huge difference to the cost of your holiday. Be particularly wary of hidden bank fees for overseas card usage.
The right card makes all the difference – Having a card is convenient but it can take a hit to the bank account if you have the wrong card. Research and arm yourself with the best card for travel for big savings.
Mix it up! Many travellers only use their credit card while some only think about cash. But the best option depends on your situation. Save the card for huge purchases such as hotels and car hire and reserve your cash for smaller wins – transport, attractions, or meals out.

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Currency in Belgium

What currency is used in Belgium?

What is the best currency to take to Belgium?

Belgium Money