The lira, also known as the Syrian Pound (SYP), stands as the previous official currency of the Syrian Arab Republic. Its roots extend back to 1948 when it was introduced, following the separation of the Bank of Syria and Lebanon, which had previously issued the Syrian Lebanese lira. This article will guide you through money in Syria.

Updated Currency Situation in Syria (Post-2026)

Following the fall of the Assad regime, Syria’s monetary system underwent major changes.
In 2026, the new government officially introduced a new series of Syrian banknotes as part of broader economic reforms.
Today, if you visit Syria, you may encounter two different versions of the Syrian currency:
The old banknotes, which are gradually being withdrawn from circulation.
The new banknotes, officially adopted and issued by the new government in 2026.

A Glimpse into the Present: Official and Black-Market Rates

Today, Syria operates with dual exchange rates, an official rate managed by the central bank,
and a dynamic black market rate influenced by supply and demand.

Currency Exchange Before and After the Political Transition

During the rule of the criminal al-Assad, dealing in US dollars was officially restricted. The government imposed tight controls on foreign currency exchange.

Because of this:

• Using US dollars in daily transactions was not legally permitted
• The official exchange rate was often unrealistic
• Access to foreign currency through official channels was extremely limited
• As a result, many Syrians relied on black market exchange networks

In some cases, exchanging money through official state channels could result in losses of up to 50% of the real market value due to the large gap between official and parallel exchange rates.

The Situation Today

Following the political changes, currency regulations have significantly eased.

Visitors can now:

• Exchange US dollars freely
• Use US dollars for transactions in many areas
• Pay in either Syrian pounds or US dollars depending on preference

This has made financial transactions much easier for tourists and reduced the reliance on informal exchange markets.

The History of the previous Syrian Currency

The Syrian pound was issued through the Syrian Bank for the first time in 1920 AD, and its value was equivalent to 20 French francs, it was used in Syria and Lebanon.
Before the Syrian pound, the French mandate used the Egyptian pound, and before that during the era of the Ottoman Empire, they used the Ottoman lira.
New currency denominations were printed after the war, such as 200 and 500 lira denominations, and the old form of all denominations was changed, but it is still accepted for circulation.

Cash Bank Notes

The banknotes currently in circulation in Syria are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 pounds, and the last denomination issued in 2026 is often used.

Exchange rate

As of January 2026, the black-market exchange rate hovers at 11,750 Syrian pounds to one U.S. dollar and 13,600 Syrian pounds to one euro.
These figures starkly contrast with the pre-war era, where 48 Syrian pounds equaled one U.S. dollar in 2011 and 600 Syrian pounds in 2020.

Exchanging money

For travelers seeking favorable exchange rates, the border areas, particularly the Lebanese and Jordanian borders, offer small shops that exchange currency.
Here, you can secure the best rates before proceeding to the Syrian side, with the official Central Bank exchange rate of 130 Pounds per U.S. dollar.

however, to get the current exchange rate you can use the App LiraToday.
you can also read about the cost of living in Syria.

The best currency you can bring is the US dollar because you will get its full value.
and be careful of the banknotes you bring because the exchange shops like the 100 banknotes, the modern version (after 2006) with the blue color.
As for the euro, you will lose 0.02 of its actual value due to the lack of demand for it, and the same goes for other currencies.
Such as the British pound, the UAE dirham, and the Canadian dollar.

Can I use foreign currencies as cash in Syria?

after the fall of Assad, they started to accept foreign currency, (it was illegal for some shops to use the dollar)

Is there an ATM in Syria?

Yes, there are ATMs in Syria, but it is an internal system that uses the Syrian pound exclusively,
also, the foreign bank cards do not work in Syria due to economic sanctions.

For any specific questions or further clarification, as well as information on tours to Syria, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

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Post Author

Ayoub Al Smadi

Ayoub boasts over Seven years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.