How to Exchange Money at a German Bank or Exchange Office
Learn to say you want to exchange dollars for euros, ask about exchange rates and fees, and handle the transaction in German at a bank or Wechselstube.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Exchanging cash at a bank counter or an exchange office is different from using an ATM. At the counter you speak with a person, so you need a few polite set phrases. This lesson teaches you to state what you want to exchange, ask for the current rate, and check the commission before you agree. You will practice the key pattern Ich möchte ... in ... umtauschen and the vocabulary for rates and fees, so you can complete the exchange with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- say I would like to exchange dollars for euros at a counter.
- ask for the current exchange rate and whether there is a commission.
- understand and respond to a teller's questions about amount and identification.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen.
I would like to exchange dollars for euros.
ikh MERKH-tuh DOL-lar in OY-roh OOM-toush-en
The core sentence for this lesson. Use it at a bank counter or exchange office. Umtauschen is a separable verb: um- goes to the end of the sentence.
Wie ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs?
What is the current exchange rate?
vee ist dair ak-too-ELL-uh VEKS-el-koors
Ask this before agreeing to any exchange. Wechselkurs means exchange rate.
Fällt eine Gebühr an?
Is there a fee?
felt EYE-nuh guh-FYOR an
Gebühr means fee or commission. The verb anfallen is separable, so an moves to the end.
Ich möchte zweihundert Dollar wechseln.
I would like to change two hundred dollars.
ikh MERKH-tuh TSVY-hoon-dert DOL-lar VEKS-eln
Use wechseln when the currency is already clear from context. State the amount directly before the currency.
Kann ich bitte eine Quittung bekommen?
Can I please get a receipt?
kan ikh BIT-tuh EYE-nuh KVIT-toong buh-KOM-men
Quittung means receipt. Useful if you need proof of the transaction for expenses or records.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern Ich möchte ... in ... umtauschen lets you name both currencies: Ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen. You can replace the amounts: Ich möchte fünfhundert Dollar in Euro umtauschen. If you only name one currency, use wechseln instead: Ich möchte hundert Euro wechseln. Remember that umtauschen splits, so um- appears at the end of the clause. For a question, use Kann ich ... umtauschen? Kann ich hier Dollar in Euro umtauschen?
When to use it
Use these phrases at a staffed counter, not at an ATM. At a bank you usually take a number and wait for your turn; at a Wechselstube you speak to the clerk directly. Ask Wie ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs? and Fällt eine Gebühr an? before you hand over money. If the rate is poor or the fee is high, you can say Das ist mir zu teuer and leave. Banks often ask for your passport, so have it ready.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen.
Good day, I would like to exchange dollars for euros.GOO-ten tahk, ikh MERKH-tuh DOL-lar in OY-roh OOM-toush-enGerne. Wie viel möchten Sie umtauschen?
Certainly. How much would you like to exchange?GAIR-nuh. vee feel MERKH-ten zee OOM-toush-enZweihundert Dollar. Wie ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs?
Two hundred dollars. What is the current exchange rate?TSVY-hoon-dert DOL-lar. vee ist dair ak-too-ELL-uh VEKS-el-koorsDer Kurs ist eins zu null neun. Wie ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs?
The rate is one to zero point nine. What is the current exchange rate?dair koors ist eynts tsoo nul NOYN. vee ist dair ak-too-ELL-uh VEKS-el-koorsA little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, banks and dedicated exchange offices (Wechselstuben) handle cash exchange, while ATMs (Geldautomaten) are for withdrawing local currency from your own account and usually charge their own fees. Rates and commissions vary widely, so comparing two offices is normal and not rude. In Switzerland the currency is the Swiss franc, not the euro, so ask for Franken rather than Euro.
One thing to watch for
Using umtauschen without the separable prefix at the end: Ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen is correct, but learners often say Ich möchte umtauschen Dollar in Euro.
Try this instead: With separable verbs, the prefix moves to the end of the main clause: Ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen. In a subordinate clause it stays attached: ..., weil ich Dollar in Euro umtauschen möchte.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I would like to exchange dollars for euros' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich möchte Dollar in Euro umtauschen.
This uses the pattern Ich möchte ... in ... umtauschen with the separable prefix um- at the end. You could also say Ich möchte Dollar in Euro wechseln, which is equally correct in many contexts.
2You want to know the fee before exchanging. What do you ask?
Show a sample answer
Fällt eine Gebühr an?
This asks whether a fee applies. You can also ask Wie hoch ist die Gebühr? (How high is the fee?) or Gibt es eine Gebühr? Both are valid alternatives.
3The teller asks Wie viel möchten Sie umtauschen? Give a complete answer for 300 dollars.
Show a sample answer
Ich möchte dreihundert Dollar umtauschen.
This answers with the amount and repeats the verb. You could also answer simply Dreihundert Dollar, which is natural in a service conversation.
At a counter, lead with Ich möchte ... in ... umtauschen, then ask Wie ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs? and Fällt eine Gebühr an? before handing over your money.
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