Does Prestashop update exchange rates automatically?

Prestashop offers a built-in feature to update exchange rates via a cron job or manually through the back office. However, the default module relies on the European Central Bank feed, which covers major currencies only. For less common currencies or real-time accuracy, third-party modules or API integrations (such as currencylayer or Open Exchange Rates) are recommended.

Can I display prices in a visitor's local currency without changing the checkout currency?

Yes. Prestashop allows you to display prices in a local currency for browsing purposes while processing the actual payment in your store's default currency. This is configured in the currency settings by enabling or restricting currencies per payment method. Keep in mind that showing one currency but charging another can confuse customers, so clear communication at checkout is essential.

Prestashop Multi-Currency Management: Exchange Rates & International Payments

Why Multi-Currency Support Matters for Your Prestashop Store

If you sell internationally, displaying prices in your customers’ local currency isn’t a luxury—it’s a conversion lever. Studies show that 92% of online shoppers prefer to buy in their own currency, and nearly 33% will abandon a cart if prices are displayed only in US dollars or euros.

Prestashop, as a robust open-source e-commerce platform, provides native multi-currency capabilities. But setting them up correctly—without losing margin to exchange rate drift or confusing your checkout flow—requires careful configuration.

Setting Up Multiple Currencies in Prestashop

Step 1: Add Your Target Currencies

In your Prestashop back office, navigate to International > Localization > Currencies. Click “Add New Currency” and select from the ISO 4217 list. For example, if you’re a European store expanding to the UK, US, and Japan, you’d add:

GBP (British Pound)
USD (US Dollar)
JPY (Japanese Yen)

Each currency can be customized with its symbol placement, decimal precision, and display format. JPY, for instance, typically uses zero decimal places—a detail that looks amateurish if ignored.

Step 2: Configure Exchange Rates

This is where most store owners make costly mistakes. Prestashop lets you set exchange rates manually or update them automatically.

Manual update: Useful for stores with 2-3 currencies and stable pricing. You enter rates directly in the Currencies tab.
Automatic update: Prestashop’s built-in “Currency Update” cron job pulls rates from the European Central Bank (ECB). Set it to run daily via your server’s cron scheduler.

Here’s a practical example. If your base currency is EUR and the ECB rate for USD is 1.0850, a product priced at €100 will display as $108.50. But if the rate shifts to 1.0950 overnight and you haven’t updated, you’re effectively discounting by nearly 1%—which adds up fast across thousands of transactions.

Pro tip: For real-time accuracy or exotic currencies not covered by the ECB, consider modules that integrate with APIs like Open Exchange Rates or currencylayer. These support 170+ currencies and refresh rates as frequently as every 60 seconds.

Step 3: Apply Rounding Rules

Prestashop offers several rounding modes (round up, round down, round to nearest). For multi-currency stores, inconsistent rounding across currencies can create 1-2 cent discrepancies that trigger payment gateway errors. Stick with “Round on each item” for the most predictable results.

Configuring International Payment Gateways

Multi-currency display means nothing if your checkout can’t process those currencies. Here’s how the major gateways compare for Prestashop:

Gateway	Currencies Supported	Transaction Fee	Multi-Currency Checkout
PayPal	25	2.9% + fixed fee	Yes (auto-conversion)
Stripe	135+	1.5% + €0.25 (EU)	Yes (native)
Mollie	15	Varies by method	Yes
Adyen	150+	Custom pricing	Yes (native)

Stripe and Adyen stand out for stores targeting a global audience. Stripe’s multi-currency settlement feature lets you receive funds in the currency charged, avoiding double-conversion fees that can eat 2-3% of revenue.

At Lueur Externe, a certified Prestashop agency with over 20 years of experience, we typically recommend Stripe for mid-market international stores due to its balance of coverage, cost, and seamless Prestashop integration.

Best Practices for Multi-Currency Management

Let customers choose: Use geolocation to suggest a currency, but always allow manual switching. Forced currency based on IP alone frustrates VPN users and expats.
Sync with your ERP: If you use an ERP or accounting tool, make sure currency conversion rules match between systems to avoid reconciliation nightmares.
Test the full funnel: Add a product to cart in USD, switch to GBP mid-session, then complete checkout. You’d be surprised how many stores break at that junction.
Monitor margins: A 5% swing in EUR/USD over a quarter is common. Build a 3-5% buffer into your international pricing or update rates at least daily.

Conclusion: Go Global Without the Guesswork

Multi-currency management in Prestashop is far more than flipping a switch. From exchange rate automation to payment gateway selection and rounding rules, every detail impacts your margins and your customers’ trust.

If you’re expanding internationally and want a bulletproof multi-currency setup, Lueur Externe’s certified Prestashop experts can audit your current configuration and implement a solution tailored to your markets. Get in touch with our team to start selling confidently across borders.