What form of currency is used in Ireland, Northern Ireland & Scotland? (2024)

FAQs

What form of currency is used in Ireland, Northern Ireland & Scotland? ›

Both Scotland & Northern Ireland share the same currency as both countries are apart of the UK. This currency is the British Pound Sterling, divided into 100 pence to every pound and the symbol for sterling is as follows (£). Notes are issued in £5, £10, £20, £50, £100 (allow £100 notes are very uncommon).

The euro is used in the Republic of Ireland. One euro consists of 100 cent. Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2.

The first thing to note about Ireland is that it's broken up into two parts, and both use different currencies. The Republic of Ireland uses the euro and Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling. So, if you do plan to travel to both parts, make sure your travel money is prepared.

As part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland's currency is the pound sterling (£). Those travelling on Ireland vacations and self drive tours which entail both travel to the South and North of Ireland must remember to have both sets of currency on their person (Pound Sterling £ and Euro €).

The pound Stirling (£), commonly abbreviated to GBP, is the official currency used in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. One pound is written as £1 and is divided into 100 pence (p). On this page you can find useful information about money in Scotland, how it works and how you can spend it.

💡 Pro Tip: if offered the chance to 'pay in dollars' when billed, always opt for the local currency (€ euros in Republic of Ireland or £ pound sterling in Northern Ireland). This offers the best value!

You can't use dollars in Ireland so we advise paying for your vacation using a mix of cash withdrawals and card payments. The Republic of Ireland uses euros (€) and Northern Ireland uses pounds (£). For Ireland tours visiting Northern Ireland, you'll need a small amount of pounds alongside euros.

Our Scottish currency is the British Pound (GBP) and all notes that say “Pound Sterling” are accepted. Both Scottish and English notes are widely used in Scotland. We use the same coins in Scotland and England, so they are fine too.

The monetary unit in Ireland is the euro, often represented by the € symbol or abbreviated as EUR. As Northern Ireland is part of the UK, the currency is the pound sterling, often represented by the £ symbol or abbreviated as GBP.

Great Britain's currency is the pound sterling. However, some euro-friendly businesses in central Edinburgh and Glasgow will accept euro coins and notes. The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from a cash machine or cash point. The Cirrus (tel.

Can I use my credit card in Ireland? ›

Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted throughout Ireland. The country also used to have its own Laser debit card which was phased out in 2014.

Technically, Yes. After all they are still all Pound Sterling. The issue comes as both Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own issuing banks, 3 in Scotland and 4 in Northern Ireland, these are in circulation alongside the Bank of England notes.

Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted. However, you may have a little more trouble using a Diner's Club card, and Discover isn't often accepted in Ireland.

In Scotland, the unit of currency is the pound (£), which is used throughout the entire UK. All major credit cards can also be used across Scotland, with Visa and MasterCard being most widely accepted. Scotland has its own bank notes that look different to those in the rest of the UK, however their value is the same.

While Scottish money holds the same value as English pounds the design and issuing authorities are different. English banknotes are issued by the Bank of England, distinct from the Scottish banknotes issued by the three Scottish banks mentioned above.

You will find that all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard & American Express) and debits cards are widely accepted. The same is true of Travelers cheques which should be in GBP to avoid extra exchange rate charges. There are also a multitude of ATMs available throughout Scotland so you will have easy access to cash.

The monetary unit in Ireland is the euro, often represented by the € symbol or abbreviated as EUR. As Northern Ireland is part of the UK, the currency is the pound sterling, often represented by the £ symbol or abbreviated as GBP.

Credit and Debit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted throughout Ireland. The country also used to have its own Laser debit card which was phased out in 2014. American Express is not typically issued in Ireland (with some exceptions), so its acceptance rates are low.

The Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland. Because most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, you don't need to take much cash. In fact, you don't really need to get Euros before you leave the US (unless you really want to).

By most European standards, Ireland can be quite expensive. Accommodation and food are generally priced at the upper end of the scale, which means a sizeable daily budget is needed.