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Practical guides: Eritrea

Money and banking

Currency, cash, cards and withdrawals.

Currency and cash

  • The currency is the nakfa (ERN) and the economy is cash-based: cards are not accepted for everyday payments. Declare foreign currency above USD 10,000 on arrival. Paying in foreign currency is illegal except in official hotels (euros or dollars). Exchange only at the official "Himbol" office, main banks or major hotels in Asmara; you may take out at most 1,000 nakfa.

    Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidence
    Government of Canada, Travel advice: Eritrea

Sources for this guide

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