WILLEMSTAD – Residents who still have old Netherlands Antillean guilders at home can exchange them for the new Caribbean guilder at commercial banks until March 31. After that date, the currency can only be exchanged at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS).
The transition to the new currency began on March 31 last year, when the Caribbean guilder was officially introduced as the joint currency of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Since then, the old Netherlands Antillean guilder has gradually been withdrawn from circulation.
Although commercial banks will stop exchanging the old currency after March 31, the central bank will continue to exchange Netherlands Antillean guilders until March 31, 2055. This gives residents and businesses nearly thirty years to convert any remaining banknotes or coins.
Under the official exchange procedure, people who have a bank account are expected to exchange their money through their commercial bank. Individuals without a bank account can go directly to the CBCS.
Amounts of up to 20,000 guilders can be exchanged once at the central bank without an appointment. For larger amounts, an appointment must be scheduled in advance and proof of the source of the funds may be required. All exchanges are subject to regulations aimed at preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
The new Caribbean guilder maintains the same value as the old currency, with one Netherlands Antillean guilder equal to one Caribbean guilder. Like its predecessor, the currency remains pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of one dollar to 1.79 guilders.
The central bank is urging residents not to wait until the last moment and to exchange any remaining old banknotes or coins in time, helping complete the transition to the Caribbean guilder.