Buying Canadian dollars (CAD) before travelling to Canada
In Canada, the price you see is not necessarily the price you pay. Taxes are added at the till and, in restaurants and taxis, a tip of around 15% is generally expected. Arriving with Canadian dollars and a clear idea of these additional costs can help you avoid surprises. At Prosegur Change, you can reserve your Canadian dollars online, with no commission, and collect them from one of our 18 branches in Spain before you leave.
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Currency |
Canadian dollar (CAD, C$) |
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Commission on online reservations |
0 % |
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Collection |
Free from 18 branches in Spain |
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Payment |
At the branch, by card or in cash |
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Leftover pounds |
BuyBack guarantee: €6.95 |
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Cash-free option |
Enjoy the best exchange rates with our travel money card
Our Travel Money Card lets you enjoy even more favourable exchange rates!
Completely free, this virtual card lets you exchange your euros into more than 23 foreign currencies. You can activate it in just a few clicks, giving you greater flexibility on all your travels and helping you avoid unfavourable exchange rates when exchanging your currency at the last minute.
To enjoy these benefits, it could not be simpler: activate your travel money card, add euros to your account and exchange them into the currency of your choice. We will automatically apply our preferential exchange rate. It is as simple as that!
Get your CAD at the best exchange rate with our multi-currency card
This card is issued without any funds loaded. It can be topped up once activated.
Taxes and tips: what is added to the price
In Canada, prices in shops and on restaurant menus generally do not include taxes. A federal tax of 5% applies to all purchases, and most provinces add their own: in Quebec, for example, an additional 9.975%, in Ontario 8% and in British Columbia 7%, while Alberta has no provincial sales tax. If you are travelling through several provinces, the final amount on your bill will therefore vary from one province to another.
On top of this, there is the tip. In restaurants, bars and taxis, it is customary to leave around 15% of the bill before tax. If you are paying by card, the payment terminal will usually offer you a choice of tip percentage; if you are paying in cash, it is a good idea to carry small notes.
Banknotes and coins
Canadian banknotes of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 are made of polymer. The $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 banknotes ceased to be legal tender in 2021. If you have any from an old trip, you will no longer be able to use them for payments, although a Canadian bank or the Bank of Canada itself may exchange them for their face value.
Among the coins, the $1 coin is known as the loonie, after the bird depicted on it, while the $2 coin is known as the toonie. Canada stopped distributing 1-cent coins in 2013, so cash payments are rounded to the nearest 5 cents once taxes have been added. When paying by card, the exact amount is charged.
Before leaving Spain
To fly to Canada with a Spanish passport, you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It costs C$7, can be applied for on the official Government of Canada website and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires. Avoid intermediary websites, which charge considerably more for the same application.
As for cash, Canada requires you to declare C$10,000 or more when entering or leaving the country. If you fail to declare it, customs may seize the money and impose a penalty of between 5% and 50% of the amount seized. When leaving Spain with €10,000 or more, you must also submit the S1 form.
Why buy Canadian dollars (CAD) from Prosegur Change?
Prosegur Change and ChangeGroup is a global leader in foreign currency exchange services, with more than 30 years of experience. The company is headquartered in the UK, but you can find currency exchange branches around the world. More than 60 currencies are available, with full coverage of the Spanish market. We recommend buying your Canadian dollars online to benefit from the best euro-to-CAD exchange rate as well as 0% commission.
Not sure how much travel money to take with you? Don't worry. If you are unsure how much cash you should take, consider purchasing our buy-back guarantee for just €6.95. Within 50 days, we will buy back up to 50% of your leftover Canadian dollars at the same rate at which you purchased them, at any of our branches.
Traveling soon?
Here's how to easily exchange your money:
1. Select currency
Choose your currency and the amount you need. Stock guaranteed on 65 currencies!
2. Select location & date
Choose from 18 branches for a free pick up. No need to prepay your order online
3. Collect & pay
Pay by card or in cash directly at the branch upon pick-up. You're now all set for your trip!
Frequently asked questions about the Canadian dollar
Normally not. A 5% federal tax is added to the price and, depending on the province, a provincial tax may also apply.
Around 15% of the bill before tax in restaurants, bars and taxis.
Yes, if you are travelling with a Spanish passport. It costs C$7 and is valid for up to five years.
The $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 banknotes can no longer be used for payments, but they can be exchanged for their face value.