Ethiopia is a cash country, and the money rules changed a lot in 2024. The birr used to have a tightly controlled official rate and a much weaker street rate. Now it floats, some foreign-currency rules have been loosened, and plenty of older guidebook advice is out of date. Here is how paying works for a visitor in 2026.

One way to make all of this much simpler: with Ethiopia Driver you pay us in US dollars before you arrive, and we pay your hotels, domestic flights and driver costs locally in birr. You need far less cash and make fewer trips to the ATM.

What currency does Ethiopia use?

The Ethiopian birr (ETB, often written Br). Everyday prices, from coffee to taxis to entry tickets, are in birr. Only specifically authorised businesses may accept foreign cash (see below), so plan to hold birr for most of your spending.

What changed when the birr was floated in 2024?

On 29 July 2024 the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) allowed banks to buy and sell foreign currency at freely negotiated rates, and new non-bank forex bureaus to trade cash at market rates. The birr fell sharply and has kept weakening: by December 2025 it was more than three times weaker than its pre-float level.

Two consequences matter for travellers. First, the rate you get depends on where you exchange: at the end of September 2025, retail rates differed by nearly 15 birr per dollar between institutions. Second, the gap between official and street rates has narrowed, though it has not closed. Changing money on the black market is illegal and can lead to heavy fines or detention; use banks and licensed bureaus.

How much cash can you bring into Ethiopia?

• Birr: you can carry up to 3,000 birr when entering or leaving Ethiopia (10,000 birr if travelling to Djibouti). Customs can seize excess cash. You may see older, lower figures on some pages; our customs guide explains.
• Foreign currency: declare foreign cash above USD 10,000 (or the equivalent) when you arrive, and keep the declaration form.
• How long you can hold it: a foreigner who is not resident in Ethiopia may keep foreign cash for as long as their visa is valid.

Where can you change money?

At banks and licensed foreign exchange bureaus. Keep every exchange receipt: you will need them to change birr back.

Changing birr back before you leave is limited. A forex bureau can reconvert up to USD 500 for a tourist on sight of your passport, visa and air ticket; above that you need the bank advice (receipt) showing you legally converted the money in the first place. Without a receipt you are unlikely to be able to change leftover money back. The simplest approach is to change only what you need as you go.

Do ATMs in Ethiopia take foreign cards?

Many do, in Addis Ababa and larger towns. Visa is the most commonly accepted network, and a growing number of machines take Mastercard too. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, United Bank and Zemen Bank are among the banks whose ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards, and banks usually show on each machine which cards it takes.

• Withdrawal limits are low and set by each bank, so larger amounts mean several withdrawals.
• Fees stack up: the local bank may charge per withdrawal and your home bank may add its own foreign fee.
• Machines go offline: ATMs are sometimes out of service because of connectivity problems or power cuts, and ATMs outside towns may run out of cash. Don't leave it until your last birr.
• Use ATMs inside banks or businesses or in well-lit public places, and watch for skimming devices.
• Tell your bank you are travelling so it does not block the card.

Can you pay by card in Ethiopia?

Sometimes. Cards aren't widely accepted except at large hotels, travel agencies, high-end supermarkets and a few shops and restaurants in Addis Ababa. Some hotels add a card surcharge. Smaller restaurants, cafés, markets, taxis and most places outside the capital are cash only.

In short, Ethiopia is a cash-based society, and card payments and ATMs are limited and unreliable, especially outside cities. Before any trip out of Addis, withdraw or change enough birr for the whole journey.

If you're heading to Bishoftu or Hawassa with us, the car, driver and fuel are already covered in your fixed quote, and if we've booked your hotel it's paid too. That leaves only meals, tips and small purchases to pay in cash.

Where can you pay in US dollars?

Only at businesses authorised to accept foreign cash. These include tourist hotels confirmed by the tourism ministry, licensed guest houses, tour operators, airline ticket offices and travel agents (for air tickets only), duty-free and airside airport shops, and telecom counters at the airport selling SIM cards to tourists. Everywhere else, expect to pay in birr.

What about mobile money?

Ethiopians pay for a huge amount through telebirr and M-Pesa, but these are built around local accounts. Whether a visitor can realistically use them is covered in our separate guide on telebirr and M-Pesa for tourists.

What's a simple money plan for your trip?

1. Bring a Visa card plus a backup card. Two cards on different networks give you a fallback if one is declined.
2. Bring some US dollars or euros in cash. Handy if ATMs are down; change it at a bank or licensed bureau, and follow the declaration advice above if you carry a large sum.
3. Change or withdraw a modest amount on arrival. Enough for your first days; top up in Addis where ATMs are easiest to find.
4. Keep receipts. You need them to reconvert leftover birr.
5. Load up before leaving the city. Carry enough birr for the whole trip outside Addis.
6. Spend or change your birr before departure. Leave with no more than 3,000 birr, and change the rest back with your receipts.