A cautionary note has been sounded for anyone planning a trip to Spain this year.
Firstly, travellers are advised to be cautious when accepting €500 notes at the bureau de change or bank. The European Central Bank and the Bank of Spain ceased production of these notes in 2016, but some still remain in circulation.
Despite being legal tender, these purple notes are becoming increasingly difficult to use, as reported by EuroWeekly. Their high value and association with criminal activity have led many establishments to refuse them.
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If you’re handed a €500 note when withdrawing money, it’s recommended to ask for smaller bills instead. Alternatively, these notes can be exchanged at a Spanish bank, according to the Liverpool Echo.
In addition, Spain’s central bank is set to withdraw old and damaged €50 notes from circulation, a move aimed at enhancing the security of cash payments and reducing fraud. This initiative is expected to commence in July 2025.
Coinciding with the tourist season, the banks will phase out crumpled and torn notes, which could result in tourists having older or damaged notes rejected by cashiers, reports Chronicle Live.
When you’re getting your holiday cash sorted, make sure to inspect any €50 notes for damage and don’t hesitate to ask for replacements if needed. You can also swap out worn notes at any Bank of Spain branch or selected partner banks – just remember to bring some form of ID like your passport.
However, they won’t exchange counterfeit or intentionally damaged notes. If you’re the type to stash away leftover change in a jar after your holidays, bear in mind that Spain might soon be saying goodbye to one and two cent Euro coins.
Countries such as Ireland, Belgium and Italy have already ceased using these coins, rounding up cash payments to the nearest five cents instead, and they’ve stopped being minted. Spain, along with numerous other Eurozone countries, is considering following suit, so these coins may not be accepted in the near future.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the five documents you might need to present at Spanish border control. Also, make sure you’re up to speed on the rules concerning passport expiry and issue dates.
The UK Foreign Office has outlined the following documents you may need to show at Spanish border control:.
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a return or onward ticket
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proof of your travel insurance
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you have enough money for your stay – the amount varies depending on your accommodation
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a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if you’re staying at your own property
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an invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family, such as a ‘carta de invitation’ completed by your hosts