Carrying cash from India to Germany
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Part of this route is a hard limit, not paperwork. Leaving India, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (India) caps what you may carry at INR 25,000, a prohibition, not a form. Entering Germany, Germany customs authority (EU cash controls) requires a declaration above EUR 10,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Closed currency
INR is a closed currency: taking it out of India is restricted regardless of the amount. Convert before you travel.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving India | max INR 25,000 | Currency Declaration Form (CDF) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (India) |
| Entering Germany | EUR 10,000 | EU Cash Declaration Form | Germany customs authority (EU cash controls) |
Export of Indian currency is prohibited, with a concession: Indian residents travelling abroad may carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian notes. Tourists and NRIs may take out foreign currency only up to the unspent amount they declared on the CDF when they arrived.
Applies when entering the EU from a non-EU country. No declaration is required when travelling between EU member states.
If you do not declare
India: Seizure and proceedings under the Customs Act and FEMA.
Germany: Cash may be detained and penalties applied under national law.
INR 25,000 is a hard limit leaving India : carrying more is prohibited, and a declaration does not make it legal. On the other leg the duty is to report, not to stay under a limit.
Currencies
India uses INR; Germany uses EUR.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.