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Legal Tender of Euro Banknotes and Coins

Summary

This regulation ensures euro banknotes and coins remain a mandatory means of payment, protecting access to cash and preventing businesses from unilaterally refusing it.
10 13.07.2026
Other
economy
finance
social policy
monetary economics

Key points

  • Euro banknotes and coins must be accepted as mandatory legal tender at their full face value.
  • Businesses are prohibited from adding surcharges when a customer pays with cash.
  • Refusal of cash is only allowed in specific, legitimate cases, such as when a banknote's value is disproportionate to the debt or if the business lacks change.
  • Commercial practices like 'no cash' signs or non-negotiable contracts that exclude cash are prohibited.
Documents (PDFs)
DRAFT REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal tender of euro banknotes and coins DRAFT REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal tender of euro banknotes and coins REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal tender of euro banknotes and coins
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