Currently Viewing Posts in Pound Sterling

Gibraltar Pounds and Jersey Pounds

Now you can exchange with us Gibraltar and Jersey Pounds

In Eurochange we exchange different types of Pounds (Sterling, Scottish and Northern Ireland) and since a few days we can also change in our exchange offices Gibraltar and Jersey Pounds.*

Notes of Sterling and Scottish Pound
Notes of Sterling and Scottish Pound
 
 

The Sterling Pound is the official currency of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey) and some British Overseas Territories (Gibraltar, Malvinas or Santa Elena, among others).

Although the Sterling Pounds are valid in these territories, in some cases they issue and mint their own Pounds. These pounds of each territory have the same value as the Sterling. The only difference is that, while the Sterling Pounds can be used anywhere, their own Pounds are only valid in the place where they are issued, they can’t be used outside.

For example, someone traveling to the Island of Jersey can bring Sterling Pounds. There the traveller will receive notes of Sterling Pounds or Jersey Pounds indistinctly. If after that, the traveller goes to England, he can still use the Sterling Pounds, but not the Jersey ones.

With this extension, in Eurochange you will now be able to exchange Sterling Pounds, Scottish Pounds, Northern Ireland Pounds, Gibraltar Pounds and Jersey Pounds with the same rate and without commissions.

 

* For reasons beyond Eurochange we can’t accept some denominations of Scottish, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and Jersey Pounds. Contact us to confirm that we can change your notes.

Pound notes in circulation

We tell you which Pound notes are legal tender

In recent weeks we have received many inquiries in our Customer Service Center about the Pound banknotes that are currently in circulation. For this reason we are going to explain you which are the legal tender notes to solve all your doubts.

Sterling Pound current notes

Pound Sterling

The current Pound Sterling notes (valid in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and some British overseas territories (such as Gibraltar) are 5, 10, 20 and 50 Pounds.

In 2016, the Bank of England issued a new 5-pound note and in 2017, a new 10-pound one. Both notes are made of polymer and currently their paper versions have already been withdrawn. So currently the 5 and 10 pound notes are made of polymer and those of 20 and 50 are still paper.

In 2020, the 20-pound polymer banknote will be issued and in the following years the same will be the case for the 50-pound banknote.

 

Scottish Pound

The valid notes of the Scottish Pound are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Pounds. In addition, Scottish banknotes are issued by three banks: Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank.

Each bank has its own series of notes. But for you to have a basic notion, it’s the same as with the British Pounds: the 5 and 10 paper notes have been withdrawn. So the 5 and 10 Pound notes are made of polymer and those of 20, 50 and 100 Pounds are paper.

In the coming years the other denominations will be progressively renewed.

 

Pounds from Northern Ireland

The legal tender notes of Northern Ireland Pounds are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Pounds. As with the Pounds of Scotland, there are several banks that issue them. In this case there are 4: Bank of Ireland, Danske Bank, First Trust and Ulster Bank. Among these only the Bank of Ireland and the Ulster Bank issue all denominations. Danske Bank and First Trust only issue 10 and 20 Pound notes.

In the case of the Pounds of Northern Ireland, all current notes are currently paper. It is anticipated that some of the banks will start issuing polymer bills starting in 2019.

 

As you can see, the banknote renewal process has begun, but there are still denominations to change. In the next few years, the notes will be renewed and old tickets will be removed from circulation. So from Eurochange we recommend that you don’t keep notes if you don’t plan to travel again in a short time, since it is possible that while you have them, they will be removed.

Once withdrawn from circulation, the only way to exchange these notes is at a branch of the Bank of England or one of the issuing banks in the case of the Scottish or Northern Ireland Pounds.

If you don’t want to waste a few hours of your next vacation in the process of changing the old notes, change your leftover Pounds just returned from travel.

Withdrawal of the 10 Pound paper note

The Bank of England withdraws the 10 Pound paper note

A few weeks ago we announced the arrival of the new 10 Pound polymer note and today the time has come for the withdrawal of its predecessor: the 10 Pound paper note.

Current 10 Pound notes

 

Official Withdrawal March 1st

At our exchange offices we can’t accept 10 Pound paper notes since last Thursday, February 8th. However, the official withdrawal in the United Kingdom will be next March 1st.

So these notes can still be used in the United Kingdom during the month of February.

 

What happens next?

If after March 1st you still have 10 Pound notes in paper, you can only make the change in the Bank of England, where they will exchange them for polymer ones.

Pounds: Sterling, Scottish or Irish?

If you have doubts about the different types of Pounds and where to use

If you are going to travel to the United Kingdom, you will need to buy Pounds to make your payments in cash. But the subject of the Pounds can be a little confusing if you look for information in forums or web pages where you can read about different types of Pounds that are used in each region. Today we clarify the most common doubts on this subject.

How many types of Pounds are there?

When we speak of Pounds in general, we usually speak of Sterling Pounds, which are those that can be used in most of the British territory (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and Man Islands and Gibraltar). There are 5 Sterling banknotes in circulation: 5 and 10 Pounds in polymer and 10, 20 and 50 Pounds in paper.

Sterling Pounds notes

In addition to the Sterling Pounds, the Bank of England authorizes other entities to make their own Pounds. In this way, there are also the Scottish Pounds, Northern Ireland Pounds, Gibraltar Pounds, Jersey Pounds, Guernsey Pounds and Man Pounds.

On the other hand, there are more currencies that are called Pounds, such as Egyptian Pounds or Lebanese Pounds, but these have nothing to do with the Pounds that are used in the United Kingdom or the islands.

Where is each Pound used?

The Sterling Pound is the one that can be used everywhere: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and Man Islands and Gibraltar.

The other Pounds belong to their own region and can be used together with the Sterling. That is, if you travel to Scotland and pay with a 20 Pound Sterling note, you can receive a 5 Pound Sterling note and a 10 Scottish Pound one; or even you can pay there with Sterling and Scots indiscriminately.

However, these Pounds have no official validity outside their territory: you can’t use Scottish Pounds in London, for example. The value is the same, and they are exchanged without any charge in the banks, but you have to take into account that you will not be able to use them outside the region.

If you are going to travel through several regions of the United Kingdom, keep in mind that the local pounds will not be valid outside of it. The most comfortable thing is to try to spend them before and not have to go changing later in the banks. If you are going to travel only to one area, there is no problem in carrying Sterling Pounds to use them there.

What happens if I have several spare Pounds on the way back?

On your return, keep in mind that not all places accept all Pounds and that the change applied may be different, being worse for non-Sterling Pounds.

In Eurochange we accept and we apply the same rate for all. Remember that we only work with notes, so we can’t change the coins either.

We hope we have solved some of your doubts, but if you still have any questions, contact us, we will be happy to help you.

New 10 Pound polymer banknote

This is how the new polymer 10 Pounds note will look like

As we told you a few months ago, the Bank of England is renewing the notes of Pounds Sterling. This renovation brings changes in the design and changes in the material, as these new notes are made of polymer.

Anverse of the new 10 Pounds polymer notes

Reverse of the new 10 Pounds polymer notes

The first note of this new series is the 5 Pounds one that has already been in circulation for more than a year and the turn of the 10 Pound note has arrived.

At the moment the Bank of England has already revealed what will be the design of this new banknote where the writer Jane Austen will replace Charles Darwin. Jane Austen will be the second woman to appear on the British Pound notes, as the first (and only to date) is the Queen Elizabeth II.

When will the new note come into circulation?

The next 14 of September will begin the emission of the new ticket of 10 Pounds. From that moment they will live with the old 10 Pound note on paper that will be withdrawn in the spring of 2018. The exact date is yet to be confirmed.

We look forward to seeing them!

Banknotes out of circulation

Recently withdrawn banknotes

In recent weeks there have been some changes in the notes that we can accept. We tell you what they have been.

5 Pound paper note
5 Pound withdrawn banknote

 

5 Pound paper banknote

On May 5, the Bank of England withdrew the old 5 Pound paper note from circulation. In this way, the only 5 Pound note that is valid is the polymer one.

Since that day, we can no longer accept this banknote in our exchange offices, and it can only be exchanged at Bank of England branches.

More info

 

Swedish Kroner withdrawn banknotes
100 and 500 withdrawn Swedish Kroner banknotes

 

100 and 500 Swedish Kroner

In 2015 the Bank of Sweden issued a new series of banknotes to replace the previous ones. Since then, the old notes have gradually been withdrawn from circulation.

On 30th June 2017, the two remaining notes will be withdrawn, the 100 and the 500 Kroner. Although there are still weeks left, for reasons beyond Eurochange, we will not be able to continue accepting these notes in our exchange offices.

If you have some of these notes, you can still change them or use them in Sweden until the end of next month.

More info

 

Hungarian Forint withdrawn banknotes
2000 and 5000 Hungarian Forint withdrawn banknotes

 

2000 and 5000 Hungarian Forints

In 2014 the National Bank of Hungary also began with the task of renewing their banknotes of Hungarian Forint. In 2016 they issued the last notes of this new series: 2000 and 5000 Forints.

On 31st July 2017 the Bank will withdraw of circulation the old notes of 2000 and 5000 Forints, who will be the firsts to leave the circulation. As with the Swedish Kroner, for reasons beyond Eurochange, we will not be able to continue accepting these notes in our exchange offices. Although until their date of retirement you can change or spend them in Hungary.

More info

 

Buy your currency

Remember that if you are traveling and you need to buy foreign currency, you can come to our branches with the currency selling service available or you can buy your currencies online through our website.

And if you want to be aware of all the news, subscribe now to our blog and you will receive the latest news once a week.

We will wait for you!

Goodbye to the 5 Pound paper note

The old 5 Pounds paper note will be withdrawn on May 2017

As you know, since September 2016 there is a new 5 Pound banknote made of polymer. Well, now is the time to say goodbye to the old 5 Pound paper note.

Old 5 Pounds paper note

Withdrawal of circulation of the 5 Pound paper note

The old paper note will be legal tender until next May 5, 2017. From this day no payments will be accepted in the United Kingdom with the paper note and these notes will only can be exchanged in the Bank of England.

 

Why do we warn you so soon?

First of all, we want to alert you of the news.

As is often the case with notes withdrawn from circulation, for reasons beyond Eurochange, we may have to stop accepting these notes a few weeks before their official withdrawal. At the moment we don’t have a specific date, but we will inform you.

If you are traveling to the UK for the next two months, you can easily use any plastic or paper note. But bear in mind to your return that if you bring  5 Pound paper notes, you will have to hurry to change it so you don’t miss the deadline.

If you come on holidays form the UK to Spain, please try to bring only 5 Pound polymer notes in order to avoid any complications.

If you want to be informed of all news about foreign exchange or travel destinations, join our blog’s mailing list.

See you soon!

The new 5 Pound banknote is already here

Have a look to the new polymer 5 Pounds note

A few weeks ago we told you how it would be the new 5 Pound note made of polymer. Since last Tuesday it is already in circulation.

New 5 Pound polymer note
New 5 Pounds banknote

 

Old and New banknotes

This new banknote in polymer will be safer, cleaner and more durable.

Therefore this material was choosen to start the manufacturing the new series of Pound banknotes. At the moment the old paper banknotes and the new ones in polymer will be legal tender and can be used in the same way. The Bank of England will withdraw the old banknotes progressively. In the early 2017 the old banknote of cotton will cease of having legal validity. From that moment the new banknote will be the only one legal tender and the old one will only be changed at the Bank of England. In Eurochange we will inform to our customers of the date when we will stop working with the old banknotes.

 

Banknotes in Pounds

With this new introduction, there are currently five Pounds banknotes. Two of 5 Pounds and 1 of 10, 20 and 50 Pounds that will be renewed progressively.

In all designs there is a common element, the picture of the Queen of England. And in the backs  British historical figures appear, as Winston Churchill featured on the new ticket or Elizabeth Fry, Charles Darwin, Adam Smith, Matthew Boulton and James Watt in the old banknotes.

 

British Pound rate (GBP)

On our website you can check the rate of the Pound updated daily. In addition, you can buy your Pounds at the best price or make a reservation for pick up at our offices.

And if what you need is to change Pounds to Euros, you can do so at any of our offices at the moment and no waiting. Make your reservation now.

What happens before Brexit?

The referéndum had a expected for ones and unexpected for others result

Last June 23rd British citizens went to the polls to decide about the future of their country. The referéndum had a expected for ones and unexpected for others result: they decided that the United Kingdom should go out of the European Union.

A bit less than the 52% of the citizens voted that their country shouldn’t be a member of the Union anymore.

And now British expats and tourists in Spain have a lot of questions about what’s going to happen now.

Now what?

Infographic - What happens after Brexit?

 

The only thing that we can absolutely affirm is that, by now, everything remains the same. The exit process will start from October 2016 onwards.

Tourists

We have receiced a lot of questions from british tourists asking about currency exchange and Custom rules. Now, we are going to answer them.

Currency exchange

From Brexit nothing has changed. In Eurochange we continue selling and buying currencies as usual. If you come on holidays, we are going to be able to accept your Pounds. Moreover, we will accept them in the future too as we exchange many currencies from EU and non-EU countries.

Custom rules

HM Custom rules are also the same. By now all British citizens still being able to bring the amount of tobacco they want for their own consumption.

Expats

If you are a British citizen living in Spain, don’t panic. By now your situation still the same. Your rights still the same: e.g. about having a home, renting a house, having a bank account, using the healtcare system,…

There is a bit of uncertainity about what is going to happen but there are lots of British citizens living in Spain. There is no doubt that both Governments will set treaties to minimize the adverse consequences for expats living here.

On the site of the European Union you can find your rights, liabilities and requirements to travel, work or live in any country of the EU. They will be valid until further notice: European Union

New 5 Pound note

This is the design of the new 5 Pounds polymer note

Yesterday the Bank of England unveiled the new design of the 5 Pound note. It will be the first British note that will be printed on polymer instead of paper and will be released on September 13th of this year.

Design of the new polymer 5 Pound note

New material

As we explained in a previous post about the new polymer 5 Pound note, this material is cleaner and resistent and can incorporate new security features which will make them more difficult to counterfeit.

In addition, the new 10 and 20 Pounds polymer notes will include a relief stippling to help blind people to identify the notes. The 5 Pound can be distinguished by the absence of this feature.

New image

On the front of the note the image of the Queen of England appears, like on the notes we already have. On the back is a tribute to the Prime Minister and Nobel Prize winner for Literature Winston Churchill.

The old banknotes

At first the old 5 Pound notes will coexist with the new ones in circulation. From May of 2017 the old notes will no longer be valid and will only the new polymer banknotes will be legal tender, but until then we will continue to use them as normal.

Exchange Pounds to Euros

If you come to Spain and you need to exchange your Pounds to Euros, you can do so at any of our Exchange offices where we will give you the best price without minimum or commissions. Make a reservation right now.

If you live in Spain and want to buy Pounds for your visits to the UK, you can also do it in our Exchange offices with currency sales service or through our website. Buy now your Pounds.

Have a good trip!

Detect fake pound notes

Being alert that you don’t get “sliped” a fake note.

Sterling Pound banknotes

Traveling to countries that use a different currency of your own is complicated. Not only must you be attentive to exchange rate and calculate what you are really spending, but also being alert that you don’t get "sliped" a fake note.

In Eurochange we want to prevent you from having these kind of problems because of not knowing the currencies of the countries you visit. Therefore we regularly publish posts in which we explain the notes of each currency or notes that have been taken out of circulation.

In our post today we give you some tips to discover if your Sterling Pounds are fine or fake.

Previous warnings

You should pay special attention when you get change in low visibility places: a pub, a nightclub,… Check the notes in front of the person who gave them to you, so you can claim at the time.

What should I check for?

Detecting fake pounds

Some security measures are more difficult to see like the marks underneath ultraviolet light, but here are some quick and easy tips:

  • Paper and relief: At the moment Sterling Pounds notes are printed on cotton paper, so we are familiar with the distinctive feel of paper. Furthermore,the amount and the inscription "Bank of England"are embossed.
  • Magnetic stripe: all notes have within a magnetic stripe, putting them up to the light you can see a dark line that passes through them.
  • Hologram: 5, 10 and 20 pounds notes have holograms. By turning you will see two images in different bright colors.
  • Watermark: Putting them up to the light you will see a water mark with the image of the Queen of England.
  • Print quality: most counterfeits fail to have the same print quality than real notes, check that the print is clear and not blurred.

With these tips you should be safe from receiving a fake note. If you want further information you can download this brochure you will find all the information on security measures Bank of England

In Eurochange we are aware of the importance of fighting counterfeiting. For this reason we have several systems to detect counterfeits such as ultraviolet light or detector pens.

Remember you can book your sterling pounds in advance or bring your left over pounds from your trip.

Want to see more information about the pound? Read Sterling Pound or New £5 note.

5 pound note

Polymer 5 pound note information

A few weeks ago we mentionned that the UK will be the next country to leave the old paper notes and start to manufacture the new polymer notes (a thin plastic sheet) (see pound sterling passing plastic)

Polymer 5 pound note

Well, the first note to be manufactured in polymer will be £5 and it will see the light in 2016. The final aspect will be very similar to the present note: the image of the Queen of England on one side and the Winston Churchill on the other.

The Bank of England conducted a campaign of public consultation to decide if they should implement this change. Around 13,000 people participated in the campaign. A 87% were in favor of the change, a 6% against and a 7% neutral.

The polymer banknotes were used for the first time in Australia in 1998. This material allows the note to incorporate security measures that cannot be given in the paper cotton note and in addition its more durable and resistant. The unique feature of the polymer banknotes is the possibility to include a transparent window and more security measures that can not be applied to the traditional notes. More information about security: Bank of England

Also it is a sustainable option since they are more durable (approximately 2.5 times more durable than paper) and they do not need to be revamped so often.

Do you want to reserve your pounds with us? Visit our web page Eurochange

We use our own and third-party cookies to improve our services by analyzing your browsing habits. You can configure and accept the use of cookies below. You can also review the cookie policy of this website.

Save current settings

More information