Additional tools
Cash controls
What are the rules?
If you plan to enter or leave the EU with € 10 000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies) you must declare it to the customs authorities.
Why this obligation?
The obligation to declare cash on entering or leaving the EU is part of the community strategy to combat money laundering 
and to counter the financing of terrorism.
What if I don't declare?
The cash can be detained or seized. National legislation sets penalties applicable in case of not declaring or falsely declaring. This can include prison sentences for cases related to money laundering or terrorism financing.
What will happen with the information I provide?
Confidentiality of the data provided is guaranteed in order to protect your security when carrying cash.
The information you provide will be made available to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Member State through which you are entering or leaving the EU. FIUs are central agencies set up to monitor financial transactions in order to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
When there is evidence that cash is being carried for the purpose of money laundering or terrorist financing, Member States may exchange information with each other or with the European Commission.
Information in your language
A multilingual leaflet
(2.3 Mb) provides information on the cash control rules applicable. Languages available include several EU languages as well as Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Russian, Turkish and Vietnamese.
The content of the leaflet has been translated into the following EU languages(17 Kb)
Word
(36 Kb)
Background
- The 'Cash control Regulation': Regulation No 1889/2005(241 Kb)
- Implementation report on the application of Cash Controls : COM (2010) 429
- Special Recommendation IX on cash couriers adopted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)