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Taxation and Customs Union

EU Cash Controls

Rules when carrying cash into or out of the EU

  

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All travellers entering or leaving EU territory with EUR 10 000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies, bonds, shares or traveller’s cheques) must complete a cash declaration. Customs authorities are empowered to check travellers, their luggage and their means of transport, as well as detain undeclared cash. 

These measures are part of the EU’s efforts to tackle money laundering and the financing of terrorism. 

Key rules 

  1. Cash is defined as:
    1. Banknotes and coins (including currency now out of general circulation but that can still be exchanged in a financial institution or central bank),
    2. Bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders,
    3. Gold coins with a gold content of at least 90%,
    4. Gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5%. 
       
  2. Customs authorities may request that a cash disclosure declaration be lodged when they detect EUR 10 000 or more in cash (as included in the definition) being sent by post, freight or courier (unaccompanied cash). If requested, this declaration should be made within 30 days by the recipient, sender or by an appointed representative of the two. 
     
  3. Customs authorities are authorised to act upon amounts lower than EUR 10 000 when there are indications that the cash is linked to criminal activity. 

 If you do not lodge a declaration (or a disclosure declaration, when requested in the case of unaccompanied cash) for cash amounts of EUR 10 000 or more, or if there are indications of a link with criminal activity, the cash may be detained and you may face penalties. The cash declaration itself records detailed information about the economic provenance and future use of the cash.

How to declare EUR 10 000 or more in cash when I enter or leave the EU? 

EU countries use the harmonised EU Cash Declaration Form which you must complete in one of the languages available in the country where you enter or leave the EU. The forms to be used in each EU country are annexed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/776. 

Non-EU language versions are available for reference to help you understand the form and complete it correctly.

Arabic Chinese Hindi Japanese Persian Russian Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese 

Disclaimer: the above is indicated only for information. If you plan to travel with EUR 10 000 or more, you are advised to contact EU countries' competent authorities to enquire about the formalities to complete. 

If you are carrying cash on behalf of a company, the name of the company must be stated in the declaration. For those travelling in a group, the EUR 10 000 limit applies to each person individually.  

The obligation to declare cash also applies to minors through their parents or legal guardians, and to people under guardianship through their legal representative.

Penalties for non-compliance 

Besides the possible detention of the cash in question, each EU country can apply its own administrative penalties that are ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive’. This can include significant fines. 

Some EU countries also have national provisions governing cash carried between EU countries or even within one country. While these provisions are not part of EU rules, the Commission strongly recommends that you check your obligations before travelling. 

Data policy 

Relevant authorities will store information provided in cash declarations for a period of five years. EU countries will transmit data to their national Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). 

EU countries will also exchange information on cases of non-declaration and cases of declarations where there are indications of links with criminal activities (including for amounts lower than EUR 10 000). They will also share anonymised risk information and risk analysis results. 

In cases where there are indications of adverse effects for the EU budget, certain information may be shared with the Commission, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Europol. 

Legal texts 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/776 establishing templates for certain forms as well as technical rules for the effective exchange of information.

Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 on controls on cash entering or leaving the Union.

Relevant links