How to send money to Syria in 2026: the new pound, the choice of payout currency and bank transfers after 2025
In 2026 Syria reopened to bank transfers: its banks returned to the international messaging system, a new pound has circulated since January, and the recipient chooses the payout currency. We cover the central bank rate for October, payout rules, withdrawing money from an account and documents for a large sum.
In short
- Syrian banks returned to the international messaging system in June 2025.
- A new pound since 1 January 2026: 100 old = 1 new.
- The central bank rate on 8 October 2026 is 122 pounds per dollar.
- Since 7 June 2026 the recipient chooses pounds or foreign currency for the payout.
In detail
In 2026 money goes to Syria by bank transfer to an account: in June 2025 Syrian banks returned to the international bank messaging system and made their first transfer in 14 years. Global money transfer networks also work. On 8 October 2026 the Central Bank of Syria set 122 new pounds per dollar, and the recipient chooses the payout currency.
| Method | Status on 8 October 2026 | Currency received | What the sender needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| A bank transfer to an account | works since June 2025 | the account currency | the bank's international code, the account number, the recipient's name |
| A money transfer system | works | pounds or foreign currency at the recipient's choice since 7 June 2026 | the recipient's name and the payout city |
| Payment by a card of global payment systems | opening up: banks allowed since 4 May 2026 | pounds | a card from a Syrian bank |
| A transfer inside Syria | works, a new electronic payment system since 18 August 2026 | pounds | an account or wallet number |
Checked on 8 October 2026. The official bulletin of the Central Bank of Syria for 8 October 2026: 122.00 new pounds per US dollar, 136.59 per euro, 33.22 per UAE dirham.
The new Syrian pound: how to convert an amount in 2026
Since 1 January 2026 Syria has used a new pound: under decree 293 of 2025, 100 old pounds equal 1 new one, and the currency code is unchanged. The period for using old notes in shops and banks ended on 30 July 2026, and they can still be handed in at a bank for five more years. All amounts in contracts, accounts and central bank rates are now in new pounds.
There is one rate: since March 2025 the central bank has issued a single rate bulletin instead of several. If relatives name an amount in thousands of old pounds, divide it by 100 to get the amount in new pounds at 122 per dollar.
In which currency relatives collect a transfer from abroad
The payout rule has changed three times. On 24 December 2024 the central bank allowed transfers from abroad to be paid out in foreign currency at the recipient's wish. In April 2026 payouts through global networks were made only in pounds, and on 7 June 2026 the central bank brought the choice back: the recipient takes pounds or foreign currency when the payout point has the amount in that currency. Need dollars by a specific date? A manager will choose a route with payout in foreign currency.
Syrian banks and the world: what has changed since 2025
On 28 May 2025 the Council of the European Union lifted economic measures on Syria and removed 24 organisations from its list, among them the central bank. In the United States executive order 14312 ended the previous programme of measures against Syria from 1 July 2025, the Caesar Act was repealed on 18 December 2025, and on 24 August 2026 Syria was removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Targeted lists remain: the former president and his circle, drug traffickers, terrorist groups. The bank checks the recipient and their bank against them.
In July 2026 the Central Bank of Syria restored its account at the Banque de France, on 7 October 2026 it signed a memorandum on banking cooperation with the UAE, and it is in talks with the US Treasury on returning the banks to the global payment system. Syria has no international account number: the sender needs the recipient bank's international code and the account number.
Money in an account in Syria: withdrawals, deposits, electronic payments
Under the central bank circular of 7 May 2025, money in current accounts and term deposits in any currency paid in after that date can be withdrawn by the owner at any time with no limit. Since 12 August 2025 money has moved freely between provinces. On 4 May 2026 banks and payment companies were allowed to work with global electronic payment systems, and on 18 August 2026 Syria approved a system of electronic payments and transfers; the central bank's instructions for it came out on 20 September.
For a transfer to repair a home in Aleppo or Damascus, the recipient's bank account is more convenient: the money arrives in the account currency and stays available. The bank checks the recipient under the anti-money laundering law, and by decision of the Financial Action Task Force enhanced checks apply to Syrian payments.
A large transfer to Syria: what documents to prepare
Documents for the bank in 2026 depend on the transfer amount:
| Amount | What the bank will ask | What to show |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | the recipient and the purpose | the purpose: family, repairs, study, medical treatment |
| $10,000 - $100,000 | the source of the money and the link to the recipient | a bank statement, an income certificate, a document on kinship |
| From $100,000 | the origin of the money and the project | a property sale contract, a construction or purchase contract, company documents |
For a large sum to rebuild a home or for a business, the sender's bank will also ask for a contract. A manager will check the recipient and the bank before sending. Countries for moving with capital are collected on the capital relocation page.
We will help you send money to Syria
Mistakes cost more than fees: a payout in pounds instead of dollars, an amount in old pounds, a recipient or bank on a targeted list. We will help you avoid them: we will check the recipient and the bank, prepare documents on the origin of the money and carry out the transfer through licensed partners until it is credited.
Details and cost are with a manager in the chat: everything depends on the amount, the currency and the purpose of the transfer to Syria.
Where else money is sent from the region
- Lebanon: the western neighbour, home to a large Syrian diaspora.
- Jordan: the southern neighbour with a dinar pegged to the dollar.
- Turkey: the northern neighbour through which trade with Aleppo goes.
- Iraq: the eastern neighbour, where the dinar and the dollar circulate.
- The UAE: a financial centre from which many transfers to Syria are sent.
Choosing a country for living and capital is on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
What is the Syrian pound to dollar rate in October 2026?
How many old Syrian pounds are in one new pound?
Is a transfer from abroad paid out in dollars in Syria in 2026?
In which year did Syrian banks start accepting international transfers again?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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