Where Can You Exchange Euro Coins? Your Complete UK Guide
Posted by: Ian • 29 Dec 2025
We've all been there. You get back from a great trip, unpack your bags, and find a pocketful of euro coins jangling around. It's a common enough experience, but figuring out where to exchange them back in the UK can be a real headache.
While you can usually swap leftover banknotes at any high street bank or post office, they almost always say no to foreign coins. This leaves you with a pile of metal that feels pretty worthless. But here’s the thing: those coins are real money, and there's a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to get pounds for them without even leaving your house.
Unlocking the Value in Your Leftover Holiday Money
If you've ever found yourself searching "where can you exchange euro coins?", you've probably hit a dead end. Most people naturally think of their local bank or post office, only to be politely turned away. It’s not that the coins have no value; it’s just that these places aren’t set up to handle the complicated job of sorting, checking, and repatriating foreign coinage.
This frustration means countless travellers have jars, bags, and boxes of leftover foreign currency cluttering up their homes. The problem is particularly widespread with euros, simply because it’s such a dominant currency. With so much of it in circulation, it's inevitable that more people come back with leftover coins. This guide offers practical tips and helpful advice on how to easily convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash.
Why Traditional Methods Fall Short
The hassle of dealing with leftover change often leads people to just give up and chuck it in a drawer. But that collection of currency—whether it's just euros or a mix of different coins and notes from various trips—holds real, tangible value. The trick is to find a service that's actually designed for this exact purpose.
An ideal solution should be:
- Hassle-Free: You shouldn't have to spend your weekend sorting through fiddly denominations. Our service is easy and requires no need to sort coins.
- Comprehensive: It should take more than just euro coins. Think other foreign coins, old pre-euro currency, and even withdrawn banknotes that are no longer in circulation.
- Trustworthy: You need to feel confident you're getting a fair valuation from a credible, established service. We are trusted by major brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces across the UK.
Of course, it always pays to be prepared for your next trip. While you're sorting out your leftover euros, you might also be planning your next adventure. For great tips on managing your money abroad, check out our comprehensive guides on European travel.
And it's not just euros that have value. Understanding what to do with old foreign coins can save you time and unlock hidden cash. Instead of letting that currency gather dust, you can easily turn it into spending money or even donate foreign coins to charity.
Comparing Your UK Exchange Options
So, you've got a pile of euro coins and you're wondering what to do with them. The most obvious thought is to pop down to your local bank or Post Office, right? Unfortunately, that's where the frustration usually begins. The reality for most people is a firm "no"—they simply don't take foreign coins.
It’s a classic traveller's dilemma. You’re left holding onto currency that has real value, but converting it back to pounds feels impossible. High street banks and the Post Office are set up to handle popular banknotes they can quickly recirculate. Coins are a different beast entirely—they're heavy, expensive to ship back to their home country, and require specialist sorting that these places just aren't equipped for.
The High Street Hurdle
If you walk into a UK bank with a bag of euro coins, chances are you'll be politely turned away. It's nothing personal; it's just not part of their business model. For them, the logistical cost of counting, sorting, and repatriating metal currency is far greater than any potential profit. Banknotes only, I'm afraid.
What about those currency exchange places, especially at the airport? While some might take coins, they're infamous for poor exchange rates and high commission fees that chip away at your money's worth. They bank on convenience, not on giving you a good deal. And those coin-counting machines in supermarkets? They're strictly for UK sterling, so your euros won't work there either.
This decision tree pretty much sums up the typical journey for anyone trying to exchange foreign coins in the UK.
As you can see, the traditional routes often lead to a dead end, which is why a dedicated online service has become the go-to solution.
A Clear Comparison of Your Options
To give you a clearer picture, I've put together a simple table comparing the usual suspects. This really highlights why finding a good service to exchange foreign coins can feel like such a chore.
Comparing Euro Coin Exchange Methods
| Exchange Method | Accepts Unsorted Coins? | Accepts Obsolete Currency? | Typical Fees | Convenience Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Street Banks | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A (Service not offered) | Low |
| Post Office | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A (Service not offered) | Low |
| Airport Bureaux | ✅ Yes (sometimes) | ❌ No | High commission & poor rates | Medium |
| Supermarket Machines | ❌ No (UK coins only) | ❌ No | High percentage fee | Low |
| Specialist Mail-in Service | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Transparent rates, no hidden fees | High |
The table makes it pretty clear: traditional outlets just aren't cut out for the job, especially if you have a mix of old and new currency. You might even have pre-euro coins like German Deutsche Marks or Spanish Pesetas in your jar, which these places definitely won't touch. For a more detailed look at how different services compare, our foreign currency exchange comparison breaks it down even further.
The bottom line is that the most convenient, on-the-spot options aren't designed to handle the messy reality of foreign coinage. Their business is built on high-volume, easy-to-process banknotes, which leaves a huge gap for travellers with leftover change.
This is exactly where a dedicated, no-fuss service comes in. You need a solution that’s built to handle the complexity, not avoid it.
Why a Specialised Service Is Different
A specialist service is designed from the ground up to solve these very problems. It’s a fast, easy way to convert foreign coins and banknotes without any of the usual headaches.
Here’s what makes it a game-changer:
- No Sorting Needed: Don't waste your time separating euros from dollars or old francs from pesetas. Just bag it all up together.
- All Currency Accepted: From the shiniest new coins to dusty old banknotes, everything has value. This includes the currency that banks and the Post Office will refuse point-blank.
- Complete Transparency: The whole process is straightforward, with clear exchange rates and absolutely no hidden charges. It’s a 100% guaranteed service you can trust.
This reliable, secure, and efficient approach is why we're trusted by major UK brands, from national charities and airports to supermarkets and police forces. Instead of letting that jar of coins gather dust, you can finally turn it back into usable cash.
A Hassle-Free Way to Exchange Coins from Home
After realising the high street banks, post offices, and supermarket machines are a dead end, it’s easy to feel like that jar of leftover currency is just going to gather dust forever. But what if you could turn it all into pounds without the queues, the hassle, or even leaving the house? A dedicated mail-in service is the modern answer for anyone in this exact spot.
Think about it: instead of trying to sort through a jumble of different currencies, you just gather everything up. Euro coins, old French francs, a few American cents, and even those obsolete pesetas you found at the back of a drawer—they can all go into the same package. It’s a genuinely hassle-free solution.
The process itself is refreshingly simple. You start by getting an instant quote online, often with a clever weight-based wizard for mixed collections. From there, you just pack up your currency, send it off, and get paid directly to your bank account or PayPal. It turns a frustrating chore into a simple, satisfying task.
Why This Method Works When Others Fail
Unlike traditional outlets, a specialist mail-in service is built to handle the very things they reject. The entire operation is geared towards efficiently processing mixed, unsorted, and even obsolete currency.
That’s the key difference. A bank’s business model depends on easily resold banknotes, whereas our model is built on expertise in handling the forgotten and inconvenient stuff. We have the systems to sort, value, and repatriate every last coin and note, so nothing goes to waste.
The advantages are clear:
- No Sorting Required: This is a massive time-saver. Forget separating denominations or currencies. Just send us your whole collection of leftover foreign currency as is.
- Total Transparency: You’ll see the exchange rates upfront, with no hidden fees or commissions lurking in the small print. What you’re quoted is what you get.
- Fast and Secure Payments: Once your currency arrives and is verified, payment is sorted quickly. You get your money without any annoying delays.
This combination of convenience and clarity is exactly why so many people are now choosing this modern way to exchange foreign coins and notes.
A Service Built on Trust and Credibility
Sending your money off, even if it's just leftover change, requires a lot of trust. We get that completely. That’s why our service isn't just fast and easy—it's backed by a rock-solid reputation.
We are the trusted partner for a huge range of major UK organisations. National charities rely on us to process their currency donations, turning bags of mixed coins into vital funding. Major airports and supermarkets use our services to deal with the foreign currency collected in their charity bins. Even police forces trust us to manage seized and found foreign money.
Our credibility comes from years of reliable service and transparent practices. When you choose us, you're choosing a partner trusted by some of the UK's biggest and most respected brands. This isn't just a transaction; it's a service with a 100% guaranteed promise of satisfaction.
This guarantee is our promise to you. If for any reason you’re not completely happy with our valuation after we’ve received and assessed your currency, we’ll return it to you, completely free of charge. There’s absolutely no risk on your part.
How to Get Started in Three Simple Steps
Ready to finally clear out that clutter and get the cash that's been hiding in your drawers? The whole process is designed to be fast and easy, taking just a few minutes.
- Get Your Instant Valuation: Jump online and use the simple currency calculator. If you have a jumble of mixed coins and aren't sure what’s in there, the weight-based wizard is perfect. It gives you an estimate without you having to count a single coin.
- Pack and Send Your Currency: Put all your foreign coins and banknotes into a secure bag or box. You don’t need to sort or separate a thing. Then, send it to us using your chosen postal service—we always recommend a tracked option for peace of mind.
- Receive Your Payment: Once your package arrives, our expert team gets to work sorting and verifying your currency. Your payment is then processed within five working days.
It really is that straightforward. Whether you want to convert foreign coins and banknotes for yourself or donate foreign coins to charity, this method removes all the usual obstacles. For a full walkthrough, you can learn more about how to exchange foreign currency online and see just how simple it is.
Getting the Most Value from Your Foreign Currency
So, you’ve decided to cash in that jar of leftover currency. Great! The next step is making sure you get the best possible return for it. It's easy to assume one exchange service is just like another, but the small details can really eat into your final payout. We’re talking about hidden fees, poor rates, and even penalties for mixing different coins together.
A common mistake we see is people holding onto foreign currency for far too long. The thinking is often, "I'll use these coins on my next trip," but years can go by, and that jar of euros just gathers dust. In the meantime, exchange rates can drop, and older currencies can even be taken out of circulation, making them worthless. Exchanging sooner rather than later is almost always the smarter move.
Spotting and Avoiding Hidden Fees
That brilliant exchange rate you see advertised can be incredibly misleading if it’s propped up by hidden charges. Lots of bureaux de change, especially the ones you find in airports, make their profit from sneaky commission fees, service charges, or just plain bad rates that aren't obvious at first glance.
To protect your money, you need to find a service that's completely transparent.
- No Commission: The service should charge zero commission. Simple as that.
- Transparent Rates: You should be able to see the exact exchange rates before you commit.
- No Hidden Charges: There should be no surprise "handling" or "processing" fees taken off your total.
A trustworthy service is always upfront about its pricing. The amount you’re quoted should be exactly what you get in your bank account.
The Advantage of a Mixed Currency Service
Got a random mix of euro coins, a few US dollars, and maybe some old Spanish pesetas rattling around? For most exchange services, that’s a real headache. They'll either refuse the non-euro currency completely or charge you extra to sort through it all. This is where a specialist service really makes a difference.
Our process is designed to be fast, easy, and hassle-free, which means you don't need to sort a thing. We accept mixed collections of foreign coins and banknotes without any penalty, ensuring every single piece is valued fairly. It saves you a ton of time and gets you more money back.
This approach is perfect for those forgotten collections where you're not even sure what currencies you have. Our weight-based online wizard can give you an instant estimate, making it simple to cash in on that jumbled jar of holiday memories.
Our 100% Guaranteed Promise
Trust is everything when you decide to convert foreign coins and banknotes. We know that sending your currency in the post requires a leap of faith, and that’s why we back our service with a 100% guaranteed promise of satisfaction.
This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's our promise to you. Once we've received and checked your currency, we’ll confirm the final value. If you're not completely happy with our valuation for any reason at all, we will send your entire collection straight back to you, completely free of charge.
There is absolutely zero risk on your part. This guarantee is our commitment to being transparent and making sure our customers are satisfied. It ensures you feel confident and in control from start to finish. It's also one of the big reasons why we're trusted by major UK brands, including national charities, airports, and even police forces. Our goal is to provide a service that is not just efficient, but completely reliable, turning your leftover currency into cash with total peace of mind.
Turn Your Spare Change into a Charitable Impact
That jar of leftover holiday money sitting on your shelf? It’s got more potential than you probably realise. It’s not just spare change; it can be a real force for good. Instead of letting your old foreign coins gather dust, why not donate foreign coins to charity and turn forgotten currency into vital funding for a cause you care about?
It’s a fantastic option if you only have a small amount of money left over, or if you just want to do something positive. Many people find donating far more rewarding than cashing in the money for themselves. It’s a simple way to turn the end of a holiday into the start of something meaningful for someone else.
A Simple Way to Support Your Favourite Cause
Donating foreign currency used to mean tracking down a specific charity tin and just hoping the money got where it needed to go. We've made the whole process incredibly fast, easy, and hassle-free. You can support any UK-registered charity you want, and we do all the legwork.
The process is exactly the same as exchanging currency for yourself, with just one small difference. Simply send us your collection of unsorted leftover foreign currency—we accept coins and notes, from any country, in any condition—and tell us which charity you’d like the funds to go to. We’ll sort it all out and send the full value directly to them.
There’s absolutely no need to sort coins or separate different currencies. Just pack it all up and send it over. It couldn't be simpler.
The Trusted Partner for UK Charities and Major Brands
We've built our credibility on solid relationships with some of the UK’s most respected organisations. We are the go-to currency exchange partner for major charities, well-known supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They trust us to efficiently convert donations and found money into funds they can actually use.
Here are some real-world insights into how it works:
- In-Flight Collections: Airlines work with us to process all the foreign coins and notes collected from passengers on flights, turning thousands of tiny donations into significant support for their charity partners.
- Retail Charity Tins: Major supermarkets and retailers use our service to empty their collection tins, making sure every last euro cent and foreign coin is counted and passed on.
- National Fundraising Appeals: When national charities receive donations that include foreign currency, they send it straight to us. They know they'll get a fair and fast return without any fuss.
When you choose our service, you're using the exact same trusted, 100% guaranteed system that these major brands rely on every day. We make giving simple, secure, and genuinely impactful.
Why Charities Trust Our Service
Charities need a partner who can handle the tricky business of foreign currency. Sorting through mixed coins, figuring out the value of obsolete notes, and dealing with dozens of different currencies is a specialist job that takes up time and resources they just don't have.
We take that entire burden off their hands. We manage the whole process from start to finish—sorting, counting, valuation, and payment. This frees up charitable organisations to focus on what they do best, confident that their currency donations are being maximised by experts.
Our commitment to a fast, easy, and hassle-free exchange means donations are processed quickly, getting funds to where they’re needed most without delay. It’s a partnership built on trust, reliability, and a shared goal of making a real difference.
Still Have Questions? We've Got Answers
Sending your old holiday money off in the post can feel a bit odd the first time, so it's completely normal to have a few questions. We want you to feel totally confident, so we’ve put together answers to the queries we hear most often about how to exchange foreign coins.
Our aim is to clear up any lingering doubts and show you why our service is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. Let's get that jar of old currency turned into real cash, with zero fuss.
What If My Euro Coins Are Mixed with Other Foreign Currency?
That’s no problem at all. In fact, that's exactly what our service is designed for.
There’s absolutely no need to sort your coins before sending them in. Just tip that whole collection—euros, old pesetas, American cents, forgotten banknotes, you name it—into one package. Our online wizard can even give you an instant quote based on the total weight, which is perfect for those big, unsorted jars of change. We do all the fiddly sorting work here, making sure you get the best possible value for every single piece.
Are Old Pre-Euro Coins or Withdrawn Notes Worthless?
Absolutely not, and this is where so many people miss out. It’s painful to think how much money gets thrown away because people assume old currency is worthless. Pre-euro coins and notes like German Deutsche Marks, French Francs, and Spanish Pesetas can still be exchanged, as can old British and Irish coins.
Just because a bank or the Post Office won't touch it, doesn't mean it's worthless. We specialise in exchanging current, withdrawn, and obsolete currency from all over the world. Those forgotten bits of history can add real value to your collection.
We guarantee a fair and transparent rate for currency the high street has long since given up on. Before you even think about binning that old money, let us take a look.
How Can I Be Sure My Currency Is Safe When I Mail It?
We get it—security is a big deal when you convert foreign coins and banknotes. That's why we always recommend using a tracked and insured service like Royal Mail Special Delivery. It gives you complete peace of mind, letting you follow your package right to our door.
Our reputation is built on trust. We’re the chosen partner for major UK brands, including national charities, airports, supermarkets, and even police forces who rely on us to handle their foreign currency securely. This, along with our 100% guaranteed promise, means you can use our service with total confidence. If for any reason you're not happy with our final offer, we’ll send your currency straight back to you, free of charge.
How Quickly Will I Get Paid for My Coins?
We know you don't want to hang around for weeks waiting for your cash. Our whole process is built for speed.
Once your currency arrives with us, our expert team gets to work verifying the contents. We'll have your payment processed and on its way to you within five working days. You can choose how you'd like to be paid, whether that's a direct bank transfer or PayPal. There are no hidden fees or commissions—the value we quote is exactly what you get. Simple, fast, and transparent.
Ready to turn that clutter into cash? Our fast, easy, and hassle-free service is the best way to exchange foreign coins and notes. Get your free, 100% guaranteed quote today and discover just how simple it is to convert your leftover currency. Visit our homepage at https://www.webuyallcurrency.com to get started now