Quick summary
- New Syrian pound: 1 new SYP replaces 100 old SYP to simplify cash and accounting.
- CBS benchmark: 113 new SYP per 1 USD (11,300 old SYP).
- Legal exchange: licensed commercial banks and official exchange houses (e.g. United Exchange, Al-Fadel).
- Remittances: Western Union / MoneyGram payouts follow CBS rules — local currency to the beneficiary.
- Cards: Paymera local clearing — mainly corporate hotels; ordinary tourists rely on USD/EUR cash.
- Borders: visa/processing fees paid in physical USD cash only at first government checkpoint.
Why the official money framework matters
Data from the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) and UN market tracking (including the WFP Minimum Expenditure Basket) show a regulated environment: currency revaluation, licensed exchange nodes, and inbound remittances under local rules. For foreign visitors the practical rule is unchanged under sanctions: know the official rate, use licensed channels, carry clean foreign cash — especially at border crossings and for entry permits.
Despite Paymera and talk of Visa/Mastercard bridging, do not rely on your foreign card or international ATMs on a normal tourism trip. Check travel updates before you fly.
1. Official currency revaluation
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Swap | 1 new Syrian pound = 100 old pounds |
| Purpose | Simpler accounting and cash handling |
| Official rate | 113.00 new SYP = 1 USD |
Rates can differ slightly in the street market — licensed banks reference CBS. Keep every exchange receipt.
2. Legal exchange channels
Per CBS monetary policy, foreign currency is exchanged only at:
- Licensed commercial banks
- Official exchange houses (United Exchange, Al-Fadel — confirm the licensed branch)
Inbound remittances via Western Union or MoneyGram are dispensed in local currency, not USD cash from the agency window.
Avoid unlicensed street changers and verbal “market rates” without paperwork.
3. Visa, Mastercard & Paymera
Syria uses a centralized local gateway Paymera to connect POS terminals to global networks. Licensed entities (major hotels, corporate travel) may process cards — early operations focus on enterprise hospitality, not every café or driver.
Ordinary tourists: plan cash USD/EUR. See packing guide.
4. Official inbound travel costs
UN indices and border agency practice highlight:
- Border visas/fees: paid only in physical USD cash at control — no local currency or crypto for the initial state charge. Aligns with our passport control 2026 update and Bab al-Hawa vehicles update.
- Basic goods (MEB): tracked near cleared market rates — why authorities prioritize physical foreign currency for arrivals.
Step by step: manage money legally in Syria
- Before travel: Budget in USD/EUR (clean notes). Review visa/entry permit and border fees in cash.
- On arrival: Pay government charges in USD as requested — keep receipts.
- First exchange: Use a licensed bank or exchange house — ask for the reference rate and official receipt.
- Daily: Spend SYP locally; keep a USD reserve for drivers or hotels that prefer it.
- Remittances: Expect local currency payout per CBS — no informal exceptions.
- Cards: Ask your hotel about Paymera — otherwise cash only.
- Departure: Re-exchange surplus SYP at a licensed desk when possible.
Tip from Tariq: Keep border USD in a separate wallet — do not mix with daily SYP.
Sample daily budget (2026)
| Item | USD range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Meals | $15–35 | Cash |
| Local transport | $8–25 | Driver/taxi |
| Sites/fees | $5–15 | SYP or USD |
| Half-day guide | $40–80 | Via services |
| Emergency USD reserve | $50–100 | Untouched unless needed |
Pair with Aleppo food guide or Damascus–Aleppo route.
How YallaToSyria helps
We are an in-house team, not a money changer. We help you:
- Estimate how much USD to carry for your route and border
- Connect you with a licensed guide or driver
- Summarize latest visa and border news
Questions: contact us with travel dates and crossing point.
Tips & warnings
Do not flash large cash or receipts in public.
Keep a passport copy separate from your daily wallet.
Exchange early before holidays — some branches shorten hours.
Never share transfer details with strangers.
Sources: Central Bank of Syria (revaluation & official rate); WFP MEB for consumer reference; CBS rules on licensed exchange and remittances. Verify the latest bulletin before each trip.