Iran currency is Iranian Rial (IRR) but people use Toman (10 IRR) as their popular currency in their daily conversations. What you will face in Iranian cash is Rial too. But be careful about price tags, which shopkeepers install on their products, sometimes they put the price with Rial, and sometimes they tag their product price with Toman, So they write a T before their price. The change rate of Rial to American Dollar or Euro is so different these days. You can check the rate at exchange boards or some online websites.

How to take money to Iran? USD or Euro?

As Iran is behind very hard sanctions and is isolated from international money transfer system, you can not use your own credit or debit cards. No Master card, Visa card or Paypal is accepted. So when you travel to Iran, you need to bring your needed money in cash. All the ATM and shops, just accept Iranian bank debit cards. It’s recommended to bring your cash in US Dollars or Euros, these currencies are easier to exchange.

You can Exchange your money on your arrival in airport exchange, also there are many exchanges in the cities. But take care there not open 24h. Some hotels have exchange service on their reception desk.

What is the import & export regulations of money in Iran?

You are allowed to import foreign currencies: up to USD 10,000  or it’s equivalent. Take care, an amount exceeding this limit (10,000 USD) must be declared on arrival. If you want to bring local currency (Iranian Rials) you are allowed to bring up to IRR 500,000. Again exceeding amount must be deposited at Melli Bank or Sepah Bank (Iranian Banks) at the airport.

In the case of exporting money, the amount limitation is the same unless you can represent the receipt of your deposit obtained on your arrival.

Knowing Iran culture and etiquettes is the key to communicate easily with people and make you familiar with Iran social unwritten rules. Each nation has it’s unwritten rules, which are originated from religion, historical events, and also political changes. Here we gather most highlighted ones for tourist who want to enjoy their trip to Iran. The travelers who are curious about Persian modern culture.

Iran Religion & Policy System

Iran is an Islamic Republic country, so the country is led by the Supreme Leader. He has the highest ranking political and religious authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The judicial system, armed forces, state television, and other key governmental organizations are under the control of the Supreme Leader. After supreme leader, the president has the highest political rank, who is selected by election every 4 years.

Most of the Iranian people religion is Islam and they are Shi’ia. But there are other religious minorities, such as Armenian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Christian. Before Islam, the majority of people were Zoroastrian.

They are some obligations in each religion. Muslims must pray 5 times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening). It’s recommended to pray in mosques. During your travel to Iran, maybe you can visit some famous mosques and enjoy their artistic architecture. Muslims also have to fast one month each year, this month is named Ramadan. During the holy Ramadan, they must fast from dawn to sunset and not eat and drink anything, no smoking and no chewing gum during this time. After sunset, all the family members and sometimes friends gather together and breaking their fast. Iranian people call this ceremony  “Iftar”. In this month most of café and restaurants are closed during the day and they serve food after dusk. But hotel restaurant and cafes and some in the street serve foods for tourists.

Muslim people are prohibited to drink Alchohol and eat Pork meat. So drinking Alchohol in Iran is against rules.

Iranian Greeting & Meeting Etiquette

Iranian People when meeting each other usually say “Salaam”  Or “ Salam Aleykom”. Since Men & women socialized separately, mostly they shake hands, hug, or kisses the same sex. It’s not usual for a man to kiss or hug a woman in greeting unless she is a member of his family.

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