The brazilian real (BRL)

The currency of Brazil is the Brazilian real. In the Portuguese language this currency is called real brasileiro (plural reais). The real is represented by the symbol R$ and its ISO 4217 code is BRL.

The real is divided into 100 cents (¢).

As of the date of this update (December 21, 2022) the real euro currency exchange is like this in France

  • 1 euro = 5.52 Brazilian reais.
  • 1 Brazilian real = 0.18 euros.

History of the Brazilian real

Brazil’s currency has always been the real (popularly known as “reis”), but it has been conditioned by the ups and downs of the economy and periods of high inflation in Brazil.

This was the case except for the period between the mid-17th century and until 1942, when a monetary reform eliminated the real in favor of the cruzeiro.

Subsequently, the cruzeiro, a currency that was divided into 100 cents, was in force between 1942 and 1986, when a new reform terminated it, to give way to the “cruzado” until 1989 at the rate of 1 cruzado = 1000 previous cruzeiros.

In 1993, the real cruzeiro returned (1 real cruzeiro = 1000 cruzeiros) for a year, before returning to the Brazilian real, after the Brazilian economy had suffered several years of inflation.

Since July 1994, the real (Series 1) has been the official currency of Brazil and has remained a stable currency. Between 1998 and 2010 there was a second issue of coins with designs that sought to improve security to prevent counterfeiting (Series 2).

The Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) is the highest monetary authority in Brazil, in charge of finances and the economy in the country. It also deals with the issuance of currency (moedas do real) and banknotes (cedulas do real) in Brazil.

In addition to information on real banknotes and coins, it has an App for iOS and Android with practical information.

Application de pièces et de billets de real brésilien
Brazilian real coin and banknote Application

Let’s see below the Brazilian real banknotes of Series 2, currently in force.

Brazilian real banknotes in circulation

The circulating Brazilian real banknotes (second series) have denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 R$.

Real banknotes have been issued in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 to increase its security measures and prevent fraud and counterfeiting.

In this image we show them all at the same scale but keep in mind that these banknotes have different sizes according to their face values to help people with visual disabilities.

Billets des reais brésiliens
Brazilian real coin banknotes (Second series)

2 reais banknote (2 reais)

The two-real banknote (cedula de dois reais) is in dark blue tones and was launched on July 29, 2013. It measures 121 mm × 65 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. On the reverse is a sea turtle.

Billet de deux reais brésiliens (cédula 2 reais)
2 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 2 reais)

Its equivalent value in euros would be around 40 euro cents today in currency suppliers in France.

 5 reais banknote (5 reais)

The five reales banknote (cinco reais certificate) is in purple tones and was launched on July 29, 2013. It measures 128 mm x 65 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. On the reverse is a great heron from Brazil.

Billet de cinq reais brésiliens (cédula 5 reais)
5 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 5 reais)

The equivalent value of the 5 real banknote today in currency suppliers in France is one euro.

10 reais banknote (10 reais)

The ten reales banknote (Cedula de dez reais) is in reddish tones and was launched on July 23, 2012. It measures 135 mm × 65 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. On the reverse appears a macaw or arara.

Billet de dix reais brésiliens (cédula 10 reais)
10 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 10 reais)

The equivalent value of the 10 real banknote today in currency suppliers in France is two euros.

20 reais banknote (20 reais)

The twenty reais banknote (cedula de vinte) is in yellow tones and was launched on July 23, 2012. It measures 142 mm × 65 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. The reverse features a golden lion tamarin monkey (Leontopithecus rosalia).

Billet de vingt reais brésiliens (cédula 20 reais)
20 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 20 reais)

The equivalent value of the 20 real banknote today in currency suppliers in France is four euros.

50 reais banknote (50 reais)

The fifty reais banknote (cédula de cinquenta reais) is brown in color and was launched on December 13, 2010. It measures 149 mm × 70 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. On the reverse appears a jaguar.

Billet de cinquante reais brésiliens (cédula 50 reais)
50 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 50 reais)

The equivalent value of the 50 real banknote today in currency suppliers in France is ten euros.

100 reais banknote (100 reais)

The one hundred reais banknote (cedula de cem reais) is in light blue tones and was launched on December 13, 2010. It measures 156 mm × 70 mm and shows the Effigy of the Republic on the obverse. On the reverse is a grouper (Epinephelus marginatus).

Billet de cent reais brésiliens (cédula 100 reais)
100 Brazilian reals banknote (cédula 100 reais)

The equivalent value of the 100 real banknote today in currency suppliers in France is twenty euros.

Brazilian real coins in circulation

There are currently 5, 10, 25 and 50 ¢ coins in circulation (cents) and another 1 R$ coin that have been issued in two series (series 1 and series 2).

Monedas real brasileño 2019
Brazilian real coins (centavos y reais) BRL

Here you have an enlarged coin of one real (1 R$) with the effigy of the Republic of Brazil on its obverse. The equivalent value of this coin for a Brazilian real is about 20 euro cents.

Moneda de un real brasileño
1 brazilian real coin

Euro to brazilian real exchange rate

The exchange rate of the euro against the real oscillates at all times.

If you search Google for “Brazilian real euro exchange rate” you will find dozens of websites (“currency converters”) that offer a “price” of the day, even with Google Finance prices. Something like this (December 21, 2022):

Cambio euro real 21 12 2022
Euro to real rates 21 Dec 2022

As you can see, the change in the last 5 years has fluctuated between 5.4 and 5.6 reais per euro.

But keep in mind that this graph represents the value of the real “currency” against the euro, and not the lower real currency. In fact, in currency suppliers in France you can buy Brazilian reais today at an exchange rate of between 3.97 and 4.91 BRL per euro. Nothing to do with the real euro currency exchange.

So, when you see these values in Google and other currency converters with your mobile, keep this in mind:

-This is an unreliable price. In other words, if you click on the “Disclaimer” link, you will get this warning from Google Finance:

“Google cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. Please confirm current rates before making a transaction that may be affected by changes in exchange rates.”

-These prices you see are usually wholesale prices of the real currency against the euro currency (currency and paper money are not the same);

-This price can only be obtained by the banks among themselves, that is, it is impossible to obtain it as an individual.

If you need reais in banknotes, you will have to go through the ticket retail market (bank or exchange house). This market means that the reais have had to be “transported” by someone for you to enjoy them (or purchased from travelers from Brazil passing through France previously).

In other words, moving tickets from one place to another has logistical costs that will make their sale price more expensive (the exchange rate that will be applied by whoever sells them to you).

-The real is a currency that is not very common or abundant in France, so it is not so easy to find it available for sale. Therefore, it is good to anticipate the purchase and order it online to obtain a better price.

Where to exchange Brazilian reals near me

The 2 most popular places to exchange BRL in France are the banks and currency suppliers at street level and at the airport.

Of these, the least recommended place to buy are airports, since the airport manager charges very high rents to the currency supplier that operates in them (Global Exchange at the two Paris airports) simply for being there. With which, the currency supplier, if it wants to earn money, has to exchange the real ones at quite uninteresting exchange rates.

You are also not interested in changing euros to reais and vice versa in banks, since they charge you a commission in addition to an “exchange margin” (difference between the price for which they bought the currency and the price for which they sold it to you).

Best euro to real rate today

To know the Brazilian real euro exchange rate, in currency suppliers, banks and the airport, in France, the best thing you can do is use our currency comparator.

Sin comentarios

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *