Syria's Central Bank Sets July 30 Deadline for Exchanging Old Banknotes

The Central Bank of Syria confirmed that July 30, 2026, will be the final deadline for exchanging old Syrian banknotes, marking the completion of the country's nationwide currency replacement program launched earlier this year.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the central bank said old banknotes will lose their legal tender status from July 31, meaning they can no longer be used in commercial transactions or accepted for payments.

Beginning July 31, holders of old banknotes will enter a five-year withdrawal period during which the notes may be redeemed only through the Central Bank of Syria's headquarters in Damascus, the sole authorized institution designated to process withdrawal requests.

The bank said applications' request must include at least 100 banknotes of any denomination, where applications involving fewer than 100 notes will not be accepted.

Once verified and approved, the equivalent value will be transferred to the applicant's designated bank account in new Syrian pounds.

The central bank added that the withdrawal process will be carried out free of charge, with no commissions, fees, taxes, or administrative costs imposed on applicants.

The bank also announced that, effective July 31, all references to the "Syrian pound" in official decisions, regulations, and government transactions will refer exclusively to the new Syrian pound.

Authorities urged citizens to rely solely on official communication channels for information regarding withdrawal procedures and warned against misinformation circulating through unofficial sources.

The announcement forms part of Syria's broader currency restructuring program launched at the beginning of 2026, which includes replacing old banknotes with a redesigned series and removing two zeros from the currency to simplify cash transactions.

Officials have repeatedly emphasized that the redenomination is not intended to alter the purchasing power of the Syrian pound, but rather to modernize the monetary system, improve the efficiency of cash transactions, and strengthen anti-counterfeiting measures.

The central bank had previously extended the exchange deadline to July 30, 2026, providing citizens with additional time to convert their old banknotes before they cease to be legal tender.