The Central Bank of Syria ended the coexistence period between old and new Syrian pound notes on July 30, 2026 [1].
This transition marks the final step in unifying the national currency. By removing the old notes from circulation, the government aims to standardize financial transactions across all sectors of the Syrian economy.
The central bank had previously established a multi-month window to allow citizens and businesses to exchange their holdings. This period ensured that the public could transition to the new currency without sudden loss of liquidity, a process intended to stabilize the domestic market.
According to the Central Bank of Syria, the old pound notes remained valid and retained their full discharge power until the end of the day on July 30, 2026 [1]. Following this deadline, the old currency is no longer acceptable for any financial transactions within the country [1].
Officials said the move is necessary to complete the currency unification process. The transition follows several months of dual-currency circulation, during which both the old and new notes were legally recognized for trade and payment [2].
Banks and financial institutions have been tasked with managing the final stages of this currency shift. The central bank said the measure is designed to streamline the national monetary system and eliminate the complexities associated with maintaining two versions of the same denomination [2].
“The old pound notes remained valid and retained their full discharge power until the end of the day on July 30, 2026”
The expiration of the coexistence period represents a hard deadline for the Syrian monetary transition. By invalidating the old currency, the Central Bank of Syria is attempting to tighten control over the money supply and reduce the friction of dual-currency circulation. This move is a critical step in the state's effort to formalize and unify the national currency system, though its success depends on the public's ability to have fully exchanged their old notes before the deadline.
