Convert an amount between major currencies at the European Central Bank's official euro reference rate, updated every working day. Useful for travel budgets, cross-border invoices and comparing prices.
The ECB publishes euro foreign exchange reference rates each working day around 16:00 CET. They are the standard benchmark for informational conversions across Europe — the same figures newspapers and accounting departments quote.
Banks and card networks apply a spread on top of the reference rate, so the amount you are actually charged is usually slightly worse than the conversion shown here.
The reference rate is a daily snapshot, not a tradeable price. It is fixed at a single moment each working day and published for information, so a conversion done here and a transaction executed an hour later will differ simply because the market moved in between.
What a card actually charges is the network rate plus a spread, plus any foreign-transaction fee, plus — if the terminal offers to bill you in your home currency — a dynamic conversion margin that is routinely several percent. Declining that offer and paying in the local currency is almost always cheaper.
For a larger transfer the spread matters more than the fee. A provider advertising "no fees" while quoting a rate 2% off the reference is charging €200 on a €10,000 transfer; one charging a €15 fee at the reference rate is not. Comparing the amount that arrives, rather than the fee, is the only reliable method.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the exchange rates come from?
From the European Central Bank's daily euro foreign-exchange reference rates, published every working day around 16:00 CET — the standard benchmark for informational conversions.
Why does my bank use a different rate?
Banks and card networks add a spread and sometimes fees on top of the reference rate. The amount actually charged is usually slightly worse than the mid-market conversion shown here.
How often are the rates updated?
Every working day. On weekends and public holidays the latest published fix — typically Friday's — remains in effect until the next publication.