Deadline Pushed to June 30
The Central Bank of Syria extended the period for exchanging old Syrian pound notes for the redenominated currency by 30 days, with the new deadline running from 1 to 30 June 2026. Governor Abdul Qader Husriya announced the extension on his Facebook page on Friday, 1 May 2026, citing what he described as "good progress" in the swap to date.
The added month gives holders more time to convert legacy notes ahead of the final cutoff. Both versions of the Syrian pound (SYP) remain legal tender during the extended window, with officials urging individuals and institutions to complete the swap before it closes.
Bank Branches Take Over
During the additional month, exchanges will be carried out exclusively through working bank branches, with licensed money-transfer firms removed from the process. The two governorates of Raqqa and Hasakah are exempted: there, both banks and exchange companies will continue to handle conversions to accommodate local conditions.
The narrowing of channels concentrates the operation inside the formal banking system in most of the country, while preserving access points in the northeast where branch coverage is thinner.
How the Swap Began
The currency replacement opened at the start of the year, with a conversion rate of 100 old Syrian pounds for every 1 new pound. The central bank had already added a 60-day extension at the beginning of April 2026 before the latest 30-day push announced on 1 May.
The operation is framed as a step to restructure the monetary system and strengthen financial stability.
Legal Limits and Next Steps
The governor warned that violations of the exchange instructions would expose those responsible to legal accountability under prevailing laws. The bank said the rules are designed to keep transfers within "the approved legal framework" and to prevent abuses during the closing phase.
Holders are being directed to follow official updates and complete their conversions through bank branches in May and during the final June window.