Qatar Central Bank has released updated 5, 10 and 50 Riyal banknotes in 2026. Here is everything you need to know — what changed, what your old notes are worth and what comes next.
Pull your wallet out. The notes you have been carrying around might look a little different soon.
Qatar Central Bank officially announced on June 7, 2026 that updated versions of the 5 Riyal, 10 Riyal and 50 Riyal banknotes are now in circulation. The changes are part of an ongoing rollout that started with the 1 Riyal note back in July 2025, and the update is being applied to the rest of the denominations progressively.
Before you panic: your old notes are completely fine. You do not need to rush to the bank. Here is everything you actually need to know.
What Exactly Changed on the New Notes
Qatar Central Bank kept it clean. Three specific updates were made to the 5, 10 and 50 Riyal notes:
The Official State Emblem has been updated to reflect the current version of Qatar’s national emblem, which was revised in 2022. The older notes carried the previous version of the coat of arms, featuring crossed swords, a dhow boat and palm trees. The new emblem now appears on both the front and back of the updated notes.
Arabic Numerals have been revised on the notes. The numeral system displayed on the updated versions aligns with the standardisation requirements under current Qatari law.
The Issue Date has been updated. All three notes now carry the 2026 issue year, reflecting when this updated batch entered circulation.
That is it. The design, color, imagery, security features and legal value of the notes remain exactly the same. This is a compliance and accuracy update, not a redesign.
Your Old Notes Are Still Valid – Read This Before You Do Anything
This is the most important thing to understand. Qatar Central Bank has been very clear: the previous edition of the 5, 10 and 50 Riyal notes (all Fifth Series, issued before these changes) will remain in legal circulation without any effect.
You do not need to exchange them. You do not need to go to the bank. You can continue spending them at shops, supermarkets, petrol stations and anywhere else that accepts cash. They are still legal tender.
This is the same approach QCB took when it updated the 1 Riyal note last year. Both versions (old and new) circulate side by side, and that will continue here too.
If you are curious about what to do with your older Fourth Series notes, those can still be exchanged at Qatar Central Bank. The exchange window for old notes has historically been kept open for a long period so residents are not left with worthless cash.
What Do the New Notes Look Like
The base design of the Fifth Series notes has not changed. Here is a quick reminder of what each note features, so you know exactly what is in your hand:
5 Riyal (brownish-yellow): The reverse side shows a classic desert scene with Arab horses, a camel, Arabian oryx, Al Ghaf trees and a traditional hair tent known as buryuut hajar. The front carries the shared Fifth Series design: geometric patterns inspired by traditional Islamic art, the Dreama flower, the Qatari flag and an ornate gate representing historic Qatari architecture.
10 Riyal (blue): One of the most visually striking notes in the series. The reverse features modern Qatar through its skyline: Lusail Stadium (where the 2022 FIFA World Cup final was held), Aspire Tower, Sidra Medicine and Education City. Bold, blue and unmistakably Doha.
50 Riyal (pink-red): The reverse displays the headquarter buildings of Qatar Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance in Doha side by side, a deliberate design choice symbolising the connection between monetary and fiscal policy in the country.
On all three updated notes, you will now see the new state emblem, updated numerals and the 2026 date. Everything else looks familiar.
Why Is QCB Making These Changes
Qatar updated its official state emblem in 2022. Laws governing official state symbols require that the correct version of the emblem appears on all legal documents, official materials and currency. The updated notes bring the Fifth Series banknotes into full compliance with those laws.
QCB has been rolling this out one denomination at a time, starting with the 1 Riyal note in July 2025. The 5, 10 and 50 Riyal notes are now done. The bank has confirmed that remaining denominations (1 Riyal was already done, and the 100, 200 and 500 Riyal notes are next) will be updated at a later time.
What About the 100, 200 and 500 Riyal Notes
These have not been updated yet. Qatar Central Bank’s statement on June 7 confirmed that changes will be applied to the other currency denominations at a later time. No specific date has been given. When that happens, the same rules will apply: new versions enter circulation, old versions stay valid.
A Brief History of Qatar’s Banknotes for the Curious
Qatar introduced its current Fifth Series of banknotes on December 18, 2020 as part of Qatar National Day celebrations. That series was designed and produced by De La Rue, a leading currency printer, and replaced the Fourth Series that had been in use since 2003.
The Fifth Series was notable for several reasons. It introduced the 200 Riyal note for the first time in Qatar’s history. It also introduced the first holographic security thread in the Middle East, found on the 500 Riyal note. Security features across the series include raised print for visually impaired users, color-shifting Dreama flowers, and watermarks that appear when held up to light.
In 2022, a special 22 Riyal commemorative polymer note was released for the FIFA World Cup and is still sought after by collectors. Its nominal value remains QR 22 but it was sold at QR 75 and is not commonly used for everyday transactions.
If you have ever wondered what the numbers on your money mean, QCB tracks all banknotes through a serial number database linked to banks across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to exchange my current 5, 10 or 50 Riyal notes?
No. Your existing notes remain in full legal circulation. There is no deadline, no exchange requirement and no action needed on your part.
Are the new notes worth more?
No. The value is identical. The 5 Riyal note is still worth 5 Riyals. These are compliance updates, not new currency.
Will shops refuse my old notes?
No. Old and new versions of these notes are both legal tender and must be accepted by all businesses operating in Qatar.
What changed on the 1 Riyal note last year?
The same three changes: updated state emblem, revised Arabic numerals and new issue date. The 1 Riyal update happened in July 2025 and is the same template QCB is now following for all other denominations.
When will the 100, 200 and 500 Riyal notes be updated?
Qatar Central Bank has said it will happen but has not given a specific date yet. Keep an eye on QCB’s official channels at qcb.gov.qa.
Qatar’s new 5, 10 and 50 Riyal banknotes are now in circulation with three small but legally significant updates: a revised state emblem, corrected Arabic numerals and a 2026 issue date. Your old notes are completely valid and nothing in your daily life changes. The update is part of a wider rollout that started in 2025 and will eventually cover all denominations.
When you spot one of the new notes in your change, take a closer look. It is the same Qatar you know, just a little more official on the details.
Source: Qatar Central Bank official announcement, June 7, 2026. For more Qatar news and guides, bookmark People and Qatar.
