Madeira banks & currency
The official currency of Madeira is the euro (EUR). The euro is divided into 100 cents and is accepted throughout the island. There are many banks in Madeira that offer services such as international transfers, money exchange, and banking facilities. The most popular banks in Madeira are BANIF, BPI, Millennium BCP, and the Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
The Euro is the currency of the Economic and Monetary Union and was adopted by 11 state-members from the European Union on the 1st of January 1999: Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland. In 2001 Greece also adopted the Euro.
The circulation of the Euro started on the 1st of January 2002 with 7 different bank notes and 8 different coins: bank notes of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Euros, and coins of 2 and 1 Euros and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 Cents. Although banknotes and coins have a European common side as well as a specific national side, they are accepted in all countries that have joined the Euro currency.
Madeira banks
Both bank notes and coins were also conceived for people with visual disabilities. Therefore the bank notes and coins have different sizes and other elements that allow identification through touch.
Banks are open from 8:30 am to 15:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Currency for Madeira
If you don’t want to carry large amounts, you can exchange your money in the local banks and at official exchange kiosks. Beware when changing cash at the bank, as there is a minimum fee of 8,00 Euros independent of the amount you exchange. In exchange kiosks there is no fee but the exchange will be based on a slightly lower rate.
Euro cheques can be used to exchange for cash at the banks but Euro cheque cards, although valid for ATM machines, are not accepted in restaurants and shops. Also you can use most VISA/Mastercards/Credit cards in Madeira, just make sure before you leave home to let your credit card company know that your going abroad. This way they will know that any purchases being made are by you.
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