Complete Guide to New Qatar Currency Notes (2026)
Qatar released a full new series of Qatar currency notes in 2020, with updated designs and security features. The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) added a 200 QAR note for the first time. This guide covers every denomination, what changed, how to spot genuine notes, and how to exchange older series.
Last verified: 23 August 2026 against Qatar Central Bank (QCB) currency guidance. Disclaimer: Qatar Guides is not affiliated with QCB. Exchange rules and note acceptance can change. Confirm on qcb.gov.qa before you exchange large amounts.
New Qatar currency notes at a glance (2026)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Series | Fifth issue (2020) |
| Denominations | 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 (new), 500 QAR |
| Key change | 200 QAR note added; stronger security features |
| Old notes | Fourth series and earlier can still be exchanged via banks or QCB |
| Related | Gold rate in Qatar |
Guide by: Sheikh Al Fahad, Qatar Guides. Reviewed: 23 August 2026.
History of Qatari currency
Qatar’s currency has changed several times since independence. Each series added more security and reflected the country’s growth. QCB issues the Qatari Riyal (QAR). The current notes are the fifth series.
| Year | Series | Denominations |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | First issue | 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals |
| 1983 | Second issue | 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals |
| 1996 | Third issue | 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals |
| 2003 | Fourth issue (A) | 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals |
| 2007 | Fourth issue (B) | Updated 100 and 500 notes; revised specs on others |
| 2020 | Fifth issue | Full redesign plus new 200 riyal note |
Note: Historical series dates above follow commonly published QCB timelines. Confirm the official numismatic history on qcb.gov.qa before citing in formal contexts.
Denominations of the new Qatar currency notes
The current banknotes come in these denominations:
- 1 QAR
- 5 QAR
- 10 QAR
- 50 QAR
- 100 QAR
- 200 QAR (new in the 2020 series)
- 500 QAR
Major updates in the new banknotes
Featured new designs
The new notes highlight Qatari landmarks and culture:
- Economic symbols — Lusail Stadium, Msheireb Downtown, and a Qatari dhow appear across the series.
- Bilingual calligraphy — Arabic and English text on every note.
- A watermark and QCB seal confirm authenticity.
Addition of the 200 QAR note
The 2020 series closed the gap between the 100 QAR and 500 QAR notes by introducing 200 QAR — the first time this value has existed in Qatari currency.
Enhanced security features
The new notes are harder to counterfeit and easier for the public to verify at a glance. See the full security list below.
Design features of the new Qatari banknotes
Front side: a shared design across all denominations — traditional geometric pattern, the Dreama flower (Qatar’s national flower), the Qatari flag, and an architectural motif based on a traditional Qatari gate.
Back side: varies by denomination:
| Denomination | Backside design |
|---|---|
| QAR 1 | Traditional dhow (Bateel) and the Oyster and Pearl Monument |
| QAR 5 | Desert scene — Arab house, camel, oryx, Al Ghaf tree, traditional hair tent |
| QAR 10 | Lusail Stadium, Torch Tower, Sidra Medicine, Education City |
| QAR 50 | Qatar Central Bank building and Ministry of Finance building |
| QAR 100 | Abu Al Qubaib Mosque |
| QAR 200 | Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani Palace, National Museum, Museum of Islamic Art |
| QAR 500 | Ras Laffan LNG refinery and an LNG carrier ship |
Security features of the new Qatari currency
- The security thread displays the note’s value.
- Raised print helps blind and visually impaired users identify the denomination by touch.
- Tilting the note aligns hidden shapes that reveal its value.
- A watermark of Qatar’s crest and the note’s value appears when held to the light.
- Tilting the note changes how the hologram appears.
- The security thread’s color shifts when tilted.
- Tilting the note shifts the Dreama flower’s color, with a moving bright circle across it.
Did you know? The raised print on Qatar’s new notes is designed so blind and visually impaired users can identify a note’s value by touch alone.
How to exchange old Qatar currency notes
If you hold notes from the fourth series or earlier:
- Exchange is still open — QCB continues to accept fourth-series notes for exchange.
- For residents — banks exchange old notes for QID holders with accounts; others can use most banks or QCB directly.
- For visitors — exchange at banks or QCB with a customs disclosure document from your entry point. A local resident with QID can often speed this up.
- Large amounts — exchanging over QAR 50,000 may require disclosing the source of funds under anti-money-laundering rules.
Qatar coins in circulation
Qatari coins circulate alongside riyal notes in 25 and 50 dirham denominations (100 dirhams = 1 riyal). Coins suit small payments where breaking a note is impractical.
Impact of the new currency notes
- Boosts financial security by making notes harder to counterfeit.
- Increases confidence in Qatari currency domestically and internationally.
- Improves accessibility with tactile features for visually impaired users.
Frequently asked questions
When did Qatar introduce its new currency notes?
The current fifth series was introduced in 2020 by the Qatar Central Bank.
What’s new about the 2020 series?
The 200 QAR note, updated landmark designs, and stronger security features including shifting holograms and raised print for accessibility.
Are old Qatari riyal notes still valid?
Older notes can still be exchanged at banks or directly at QCB. Check with your bank on current exchange procedures for fourth-series notes.
Can tourists exchange old Qatari currency?
Yes, though visitors need a customs disclosure document from their entry point. The process can take longer than for residents.
Is there a limit on how much currency I can exchange?
Amounts over QAR 50,000 may require disclosing the source of funds under anti-money-laundering regulations.
Conclusion
Qatar’s new currency notes combine security, functionality, and national identity. The 2020 fifth series added the 200 QAR denomination and upgraded anti-counterfeiting features from shifting holograms to raised print.
Understanding denominations, designs, and security features helps residents, businesses, and visitors verify money with confidence. If unsure whether a note is genuine, check it against QCB’s official security-feature guide.
Related Qatar Guides: Gold rate in Qatar · Qatar ID · Living in Qatar
