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€500 Note (can it be changed to GBP in UK)

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Hi all,

I have got a EUR 500 note. Can it be changed at Bureau de Change in London or at any bank?!?

I’m asking cuz I know it stopped being legal tender in the UK a while back.

Thanks for reading

Comments

  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Regulations prohibit UK banks and bureaux de change from selling the 500€ note to customers, but I don't believe they are prevented from buying them (exchanging them for GBP). However, without the means to resell them they may also refuse to accept such notes. You can try, let us know...
    Evolution, not revolution
  • As both a premier global financial trading centre and a tourist honey-pot it would seem almost inconceivable that there would be nowhere in London that would change a 500 Euro note. It may take a while to find where though! I suspect many independent traders would worry about it possibly being a forgery.
  • SusieT
    SusieT Posts: 1,267 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Very difficult as it is being phased out in Europe. It may be easier to find someone you trust who is going there to take it with them and exchange it for you. 
    Credit card debt - NIL
    Home improvement secured loans 30,130/41,000 and 23,156/28,000 End 2027 and 2029
    Mortgage 64,513/100,000 End Nov 2035
    2022 all rolling into new mortgage + extra to finish house. 125,000 End 2036
  • maxsteam
    maxsteam Posts: 718 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    My understanding is that you can pay it into any bank where you have an account. Certainly, you are going to encounter problems. If you have a UK bank account, you should take it into a branch to see if they can help.
  • s_r
    s_r Posts: 42 Forumite
    Second Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks all - I will take the EUR 500 note into Metro as I have an account with them and found out that I am able to directly deposit cash (USD and EUR) into my current account. Will update once I have gone through this!
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Not quite 'directly' as it will need to be converted to GBP. Take note of the rate they give, mid rate (interbank) today is ~1.17
    Evolution, not revolution
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