What is the Currency in Northern Ireland?

What is the Currency in Northern Ireland?

If you're travelling to Northern Ireland for a holiday, business, or family visit, understanding the local currency will help you plan your finances more effectively. This guide is for UK and international travellers and explains what currency is used in Northern Ireland, how it's issued, and how to spend and exchange it without confusion.

What currency does Northern Ireland use?

Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling, abbreviated as GBP and represented by the symbol £. It is the same currency used throughout the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland and Wales.

However, Northern Ireland has a unique feature: local banks are authorised to issue their own banknotes, which differ in appearance from Bank of England notes but hold the same value.

Who issues banknotes in Northern Ireland?

Several banks in Northern Ireland are permitted to print their own sterling notes, including:

• Bank of Ireland

• Ulster Bank

• Danske Bank (formerly Northern Bank)

These notes may look unfamiliar to visitors from the rest of the UK, but they are fully legal in Northern Ireland and equal in value to Bank of England notes.

Can you use Northern Irish notes elsewhere in the UK?

Yes, but with caveats. While Northern Irish notes are legal currency and should be accepted across the UK, they are not legal tender in England or Scotland. This means that some retailers outside Northern Ireland may be unfamiliar with the notes and hesitant to accept them.

If you're returning to the mainland UK, it's advisable to spend or exchange Northern Irish notes before you leave, or deposit them into a UK bank account.

Do you need to exchange currency when visiting Northern Ireland from England?

No. Since Northern Ireland uses the same currency as the rest of the UK, there is no need for currency exchange if you are travelling from England, Scotland or Wales. Your regular UK debit and credit cards will work as usual.

Should you bring cash or use a card in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland is largely card-friendly, with widespread acceptance of debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard in particular). Contactless payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely supported.

However, it’s always wise to carry a small amount of cash, particularly if you’re visiting rural areas or small vendors, or need to pay for things like parking, local taxis or tipping.

Using ATMs in Northern Ireland

ATMs are readily available across cities and towns. You may receive Northern Irish banknotes when withdrawing cash, especially if using ATMs operated by local banks. These are valid across Northern Ireland, so there's no need for concern.

Tips for managing money in Northern Ireland

• You don’t need to convert money if you're coming from another part of the UK

• Northern Irish notes are valid locally but may be harder to use outside the region

• Use contactless and cards for convenience, especially in urban areas

• If exchanging foreign currency (e.g. euros or dollars), do so at banks or authorised exchange counters

Common mistakes to avoid

A common misconception is that Northern Ireland uses the euro because of its location on the island of Ireland. This is not correct—the euro is used in the Republic of Ireland, while Northern Ireland remains under UK currency rules.

Another mistake is assuming you must exchange Northern Irish banknotes before returning to the mainland—while this isn't strictly necessary, it can save confusion in shops outside Northern Ireland.

In summary

Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling (GBP), just like the rest of the UK. Although local banks issue their own distinct notes, they are equivalent in value and accepted across the region. UK visitors don’t need to exchange money, while international travellers should use pounds rather than euros.