Understanding Qatar Currency and Its Uses

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Qatar's official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR), divided into 100 dirhams.

The Qatari Riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 3.64 QAR.

You can exchange your money for Qatari Riyal at banks, currency exchange offices, or some hotels in Qatar.

The Qatari Riyal is widely accepted in Qatar, and you'll also see it used in some neighboring countries.

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What You Need to Know

The Qatari riyal is the official currency of Qatar, and it's pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 3.64 riyals per dollar. This means that the value of the riyal is closely tied to the value of the dollar.

The Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams, with coins available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 dirhams. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals.

Here's a quick rundown of the Qatari riyal's key facts:

What Is Currency?

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The Qatari riyal is the official currency of Qatar, issued by the Qatar Central Bank.

The international currency symbol for Qatar's currency is QR, while the ISO code is QAR.

One Qatari riyal can be divided into 100 dirhams.

Qatar's neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, uses dirhams as its official currency, but the UAE dirham and Qatari sub-unit dirham are not the same currency.

A Short History

Qatar gained its full independence in 1971, which is relatively recent in modern history. The country's currency history is also relatively short.

The Gulf rupee was the currency of Qatar from 1959 to 1966, issued by the Reserve Bank of India and on par with the Indian rupee. The Gulf rupee was used in several countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE.

In 1966, Qatar abandoned the Gulf rupee after India devalued the rupee, leading to the country issuing its own currency. For a few months, Qatar used the Saudi riyal before signing the Qatar-Dubai Currency Agreement on March 21st, 1966.

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The Qatar and Dubai riyal was the first series of coins and banknotes issued by an independent Qatar, and it was on par with the Gulf rupee before its devaluation. Dubai joined the UAE in 1971, but it didn't adopt a uniform currency with the other emirates until 1973.

Here's a brief timeline of Qatar's currency history:

  1. 1959 – 1966: The Gulf rupee
  2. A few months in 1966: The Saudi riyal
  3. 1966 – 1973: The Qatar and Dubai riyal
  4. 1973 – today: The Qatari riyal

The Qatar and Dubai riyal was eventually replaced by the modern Qatari riyal in 1973, which is the currency still in use today.

Facts You Ought to Know

The Qatari riyal is the official currency of Qatar, and it's essential to know some key facts about it.

The short name for Qatar money is QR.

Qatar Central Bank is the chief bank of Qatar and has the right to issue the currency of Qatar.

The Qatari riyal can be divided into 100 dirhams.

Here are some frequently used banknotes: 1 riyal, 5 riyals, 10 riyals, 50 riyals, 100 riyals, and 500 riyals.

Some of the most commonly used coins in Qatar are 1 dirham, 5 dirhams, 10 dirhams, 25 dirhams, and 50 dirhams.

The international currency symbol for Qatar's currency is QR, while the ISO code is QAR.

Qatar Currency Denominations

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Qatar's currency, the Qatari riyal, is a fascinating topic. The country currently uses only two coins: the 25 and 50 dirham coins.

You can find the following denominations of Qatari riyal banknotes in circulation: 1 QR, 5 QR, 10 QR, 50 QR, 100 QR, 200 QR, and 500 QR.

One Qatari riyal can be subdivided into 100 dirhams, which is a useful fact to keep in mind when dealing with currency exchange.

Here's a breakdown of the Qatari riyal banknote denominations in terms of their sterling equivalent:

Tesco has the best Qatari riyal rate right now at 4.2951, but you'll need to order online to guarantee this rate.

US Dollar Peg and Diplomatic Crisis

The Qatari riyal has a unique relationship with the US dollar, thanks to a fixed exchange rate that's been in place since 2001. This rate is set at $1 = QR 3.64, a rate that's enshrined in Qatari law.

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In 2017, the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its neighboring countries led to a temporary abandonment of this fixed exchange rate outside of Qatar. Banks in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE stopped trading with Qatari banks, causing a fall in liquidity and a move away from the fixed exchange rate.

Despite this, the Qatar Central Bank held on to the peg within Qatar. The crisis eventually ended in 2021, restoring the fixed exchange rate.

Here's a brief timeline of the Qatari riyal's exchange rate history:

The fixed exchange rate has remained in place, with the Qatar Central Bank continuing to buy and sell US dollars at this rate within Qatar.

Using Qatar Currency

Qatar has modern ATMs, so you shouldn't have trouble withdrawing money. Many Qatari banks have unconventional work hours, often closed between 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

Withdrawing money from ATMs incurs large fees, while paying by credit card forces you to exchange money with relatively high margins. Keep some cash on hand for smaller, local shops that may not accept cards.

It's generally wise to have some cash on you, especially for purchases in smaller shops.

Tips for Using

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Using ATMs in Qatar can be a bit tricky due to the unconventional work hours of Qatari banks, which are often closed between 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

You should have no issue finding an ATM, though, as Qatar is a modern state with plenty of them available. Withdrawing money from ATMs will incur rather large fees, so it's worth considering alternative payment methods.

Major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in larger shops, but you'll still need to exchange money with relatively high margins if you pay by credit card. It's a good idea to keep some cash on hand for smaller, local shops that may not accept cards.

Having some cash on you is generally a wise move, especially for small purchases, tipping, and emergencies. You can typically exchange currency at a bank or exchange bureau before or upon arrival.

Here are some common payment methods accepted in Qatar:

  • Credit cards: Cards from VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted.
  • Debit cards: Debit cards linked to your bank account can be used for purchases and cash withdrawals.
  • Cash: Qatari riyal banknotes are widely accepted for small purchases, tipping, and emergencies.
  • Mobile payments: Mobile payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Alipay may be available, but check beforehand.
  • Prepaid travel cards: These cards can provide good value, security, and convenience, and are often the best way to pay in Qatar.

Sending Money

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Sending money to Qatar can be a challenge, especially with high fees and exchange rates from international banks, which can even exceed 10% of your transfer amount.

Many people send money to Qatar for various reasons, such as supporting friends or family, paying for tuition, or settling business transactions.

International money transfers are a competitive market, with many trustworthy alternative providers offering better exchange rates than banks.

Using a live comparison tool can help you find the cheapest provider for your specific needs, taking into account factors like your location, transfer amount, and payment method.

You can use a tool like Monito's live comparison tool to find the best exchange rates in real-time, saving you time and money.

The Qatari riyal is one of around 180 currencies worldwide, trading against all other official currencies globally.

The exchange rate can fluctuate over time due to various economic, political, and market factors. A higher exchange rate means the value of one currency has increased compared to another, while a lower exchange rate means the opposite.

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You can follow the live exchange rate to the Qatari riyal with Monito's currency pages, which also allows you to see which providers offer the best deals and set up smart email alerts.

The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of US$1 = QR 3.64, which was enshrined into Qatari law by Royal Decree No.34 of 2001.

Over the past 30 days, the Qatari riyal rate is up 0.04% from 4.44 on 8 Dec to 4.4418 today, meaning one pound will buy more Qatari riyals today than it would have a month ago.

The best Qatari riyal exchange rates are usually offered by online travel money companies who have lower operating costs than traditional 'bricks and mortar' stores.

Key Information

The Qatari riyal is the official currency of Qatar, and it's interesting to learn about its unique characteristics. The Qatari riyal has an ISO code of QAR.

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The Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams, which is its minor unit. The Qatari riyal is issued by the Qatar Central Bank, which is the country's central bank.

The most frequently used banknotes in Qatar are 1 riyal, 5 riyals, 10 riyals, 50 riyals, 100 riyals, and 500 riyals. The Qatari riyal has a symbol of .ر.ق.

Here are the most frequently used coins in Qatar:

The Qatari riyal was introduced in 1966, and it has been the country's official currency since then.

Others

The Qatari Riyal is pegged to the US Dollar, which means its exchange rate is directly tied to the value of the US Dollar. This makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the US Dollar's exchange rate.

The exchange rate of the Qatari Riyal is also affected by commodity prices in the international market.

Qatar's fixed exchange rate offers several advantages, including avoiding inflation to a great extent and bringing more economic stability to the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qatar currency higher than dollar?

Qatar's currency, the Qatari riyal, is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate, but it's actually slightly stronger, with 1 USD equivalent to approximately 3.64 QAR. This means the Qatari riyal has a higher value than the US dollar.

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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