Money in Eritrea: The Complete Cash, ATM & Nakfa Guide (2026)

No. Eritrea has no international ATMs, no cash machine anywhere in the country works with a foreign-issued card, and banks do not give cash advances against a foreign Visa or Mastercard. There is no card fallback and no way to draw money once you arrive, which is why your cash planning has to be done before you fly.

No. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and every other international card are not accepted anywhere in Eritrea, not in hotels, not in the best restaurants, not in shops. For a visitor, Eritrea is a cash-only economy from the moment you land to the moment you leave.

Bring US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR), these are the two foreign currencies exchanged at the official rate. US dollars are the most widely preferred and generally the easiest to change; euros are accepted at Himbol offices. Other currencies such as British pounds are far less useful and best avoided.

The condition of your notes matters. Exchange offices want clean, undamaged, newer banknotes and will reject worn, marked or torn bills. Bring a sensible mix:

• 01
  USD 100 notes

  these tend to attract the best rate.
• 02
  USD 20s and 50s

  (and EUR 50/100), for flexibility and smaller payments.
• 03
  A clean, separate USD 70

  set aside ready for the visa-on-arrival fee.

The local currency is the Eritrean Nakfa (ERN), pegged to the US dollar at the official rate of 1 USD = 15 ERN. That is the rate applied at banks and at the government exchange, Himbol, the rate that matters for tourists. Change money only at official, authorised places:

• 01
  Himbol Exchange offices

  in central Asmara, with a counter at the airport.
• 02
  Banks

  such as the Commercial Bank of Eritrea.

Always change money through these official channels, and keep every exchange receipt: the original Himbol or bank receipts should be retained for the whole trip and may need to be shown on departure.

On arrival, visitors complete a foreign-currency declaration form processed by customs at the airport. The safe approach is to declare the full amount of foreign cash you are carrying in, not just large sums. Keep the stamped form safe: on departure, customs can reconcile it against your remaining cash and your exchange and purchase receipts, so hold on to receipts throughout.

No. The Nakfa is a closed currency and cannot be taken out of Eritrea. Change only as much as you need, and convert any leftover Nakfa back into US dollars or euros at a Himbol office before you fly out. Because we manage your itinerary, we help you judge how much to change so you are never left holding Nakfa you can't spend.

The 30-day visa on arrival carries a USD 70 government fee that must be paid in cash, in US dollars, at Asmara airport when you land, this is separate from our USD 50 fee for the Letter of Invitation, which is what makes the visa on arrival possible, so budget USD 120 in total for entry. Bring this USD 70 in clean, newer notes, kept separate and ready, and carry USD 80–100 in clean notes as a buffer in case of change problems at the counter. For the full picture on entry requirements and the travel permits you'll need beyond Asmara, see our guide to the Eritrea visa and permits.

On an operator tour, your out-of-pocket spending is modest, because the tour itself covers the big-ticket items, hotels, guide, driver, vehicle, most meals and permits. Your own cash mainly goes on tips, drinks, coffee, snacks, souvenirs and the occasional optional entry fee. Local prices are low by European standards, and coffee, soft drinks and simple local meals all cost a fraction of what you would pay at home, but prices vary, so plan on the daily figure below rather than on individual examples.

As a planning figure for personal extras on a fully arranged tour, budget on the order of USD 40–50 per day in cash, plus the fixed USD 70 visa fee. Then add a 20–30% buffer: because there is no ATM to fall back on if you run short, it is always better to carry a little more than you expect to spend.

Tipping is not deeply ingrained in Eritrea, but it is genuinely appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving roughly 5–10% is plenty. On a private tour, a discretionary tip for your guide and driver at the end of the trip is customary and best given in USD cash. There is no obligation and no fixed rule; it is a thank-you, not a surcharge.

• 01
  Bring all your trip money as cash, there are no ATMs and no card acceptance.
• 02
  Carry clean, newer USD (preferred) or EUR notes, in a mix of denominations.
• 03
  Keep a separate, clean USD 70 for the visa on arrival, and remember the USD 50 Letter of Invitation fee you pay us in advance: USD 120 in total for entry.
• 04
  Change money only at Himbol or a bank.
• 05
  Complete the currency declaration and keep the stamped form and all receipts.
• 06
  The Nakfa cannot be taken out of the country, don't over-exchange, and convert leftover Nakfa back before departure.

Because Eritrea is cash-only and a travel permit is required for any travel outside Asmara, most of the money and paperwork admin is far easier when a local operator manages it. As a licensed, Asmara-based team we arrange your Letter of Invitation, guide you on exactly how much cash to bring, and make sure your visa fee and paperwork are ready before you land. If you are planning a trip to Eritrea, you can also read whether Eritrea is safe for tourists, or start shaping your route with our design-your-own-tour planner.

• 01

  Are there any ATMs in Eritrea that accept foreign cards?

  No. There are no international ATMs anywhere in Eritrea, and no cash machine works with a foreign-issued card. Banks also do not give cash advances against foreign cards, so you must bring all your money as cash.
• 02

  What currency should I bring to Eritrea?

  Bring US dollars or euros in cash. USD is the most widely preferred and easiest to exchange. Bring clean, newer, undamaged notes in a mix of denominations, as worn or torn bills are often rejected.
• 03

  What is the exchange rate for the Eritrean Nakfa?

  The Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) is pegged to the US dollar at the official rate of 1 USD = 15 ERN. This is the rate applied at banks and at Himbol, the government exchange, and it is the rate tourists use.
• 04

  How much cash should I bring for an Eritrea tour?

  On a fully arranged operator tour, budget roughly USD 40–50 per day for personal extras such as tips, drinks and souvenirs, plus the fixed USD 70 visa fee. Add a 20–30% buffer, because there is no ATM to fall back on.
• 05

  Can I take leftover Nakfa out of Eritrea?

  No. The Nakfa is a closed currency and cannot be taken out of the country. Convert any leftover Nakfa back into US dollars or euros at a Himbol office before you fly out, and avoid over-exchanging in the first place.