Europe Travel Money Guide

A classic Malaysian Europe trip hops across several countries: Paris, then Amsterdam, then Rome, maybe a few days in the Alps. The good news is that most of that route uses one currency. The catch is that "Europe" is not the same as "the eurozone", and the countries that don't use the euro are the ones that trip people up.

Which countries use the euro

As of 1 January 2026, 21 countries use the euro, after Bulgaria became the latest to join. That includes the big destinations: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Croatia.

Several popular places do not use it, even though they may be in the EU or the Schengen area:

• Switzerland (Swiss franc)
• Czechia (koruna), Hungary (forint), Poland (zloty) and Romania (leu)
• Denmark (krone) and Sweden (krona), plus Norway (krone) outside the EU
• United Kingdom (pound sterling), see our UK guide

Many shops in tourist hubs will accept euros in these places, but the rate is usually poor. If you're spending more than a night or two there, plan for the local currency, or pay by card in local currency.

When to exchange

The euro is a big, liquid currency, so KL changers quote tight spreads and the day-to-day moves are modest. For a trip that's a month or two away, exchange once you've compared the live rates rather than trying to time the bottom. Bring euros from KL, not US dollars: the euro is what you'll spend, and changing ringgit to dollars to euros doubles your costs.

Tip: Most of the euro notes you'll use are €5, €10, €20 and €50. Large notes can be refused for small purchases, so ask for a mix when you exchange.

How much cash to bring

Cash habits vary a lot across the continent, so use these ranges as a starting point. A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:

• Food — €40–75/day (a bakery breakfast and a pizza lunch are cheap, while restaurant dinners in Paris or Amsterdam are not)
• Local transport — €5–15/day on metros, trams and buses, more for intercity trains
• Attractions — €10–30/day (museums are around €10–25, while palaces and towers can cost more)

Cash habits differ by country

• Germany — still comparatively cash-heavy. The Bundesbank's 2025 study found cash was used for about 45% of payments, so you'll still meet cafés, bakeries and small restaurants that don't take cards.
• The Netherlands and the Nordic countries — heavily card and phone-based. Some places won't take cash at all, and you can pay for a coffee with a tap of your phone.
• France, Italy and Spain — cards are widely accepted in cities, but small markets, cafés and rural areas still like cash, and you may find card minimums.
• Tourist sites — many big attractions have moved to online tickets, so book ahead and keep your phone charged.

Tipping norms

Tipping in Europe is generally lighter than in the US, and it varies by country. In many places a service charge is already part of the price, and rounding up or leaving a few euros for table service is enough. Check the bill before adding anything, and tip in cash when you can, because it's not always possible to add a tip to a card payment.

Where to exchange in KL

These three changers currently post the best EUR rates. Tap to see their branches and live rates:

Payment tips on the ground

• Cards first, cash as backup — contactless works almost everywhere in the big cities, but keep €50–100 for small shops, public toilets, tips and the odd cash-only place.
• Pay in euros — if a terminal offers to charge you in ringgit, decline and choose euros. The "pay in MYR" rate is almost always worse.
• ATMs inside banks — use a bank ATM over a standalone machine in a tourist area, and decline any "guaranteed rate" the machine offers.
• Keep leftovers — if you're returning to the eurozone, keep your spare euros for next time, because you can sell them back at the "You Get" rate but you lose the spread.