The euro, a symbol of European unity and economic integration, was first introduced on January 1, 1999. Initially an invisible currency used for accounting and electronic transactions, it marked a significant step in the continent’s financial history by becoming the official money for over 300 million Europeans. It wasn’t until January 1, 2002, that euro banknotes and coins physically entered circulation, replacing the legacy currencies of participating nations like the German Deutsche Mark and the Belgian franc at predetermined, fixed exchange rates.
Today, Euro Money is legal tender in 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union. This area, known as the Eurozone or euro area, also encompasses overseas departments, territories, and islands associated with these countries. Beyond the EU, the euro is also utilized by micro-states such as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City through formal agreements with the European Union. Interestingly, Montenegro and Kosovo have also adopted the euro as their de facto currency, albeit without any formal arrangement. Approximately 350 million people now conduct their daily transactions using euro banknotes and coins, solidifying the euro’s position as a tangible representation of European integration and a major player in the global financial landscape.
All EU member countries, with the exception of Denmark which negotiated an opt-out clause, are expected to eventually join the monetary union and adopt the euro once they meet the established economic convergence criteria. This ongoing process underscores the euro’s expanding influence and the commitment to a unified European economy.
The Euro Area: An Interactive Overview
To better understand the geographical reach of euro money, explore the interactive map below. It provides a clear visualization of the European Union member states that are part of the euro area, along with the dates they officially adopted the currency. This interactive tool and the accompanying tables offer a detailed look into the expansion of the euro across Europe.
Euro Area Countries: Detailed Breakdown
Select a country from the list to view specific information regarding their euro adoption status and EU membership.
Austria
EU member using the euro
alt: EU Flag representing Austria’s membership in the European Union.
EU member since 1995
alt: Euro symbol denoting Austria’s adoption of the euro currency.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Belgium
EU member using the euro
alt: European Union flag indicating Belgium as a founding EU member.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol confirming Belgium’s use of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Bulgaria
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Bulgaria as a member state yet to adopt the euro.
EU member since 2007
Cyprus
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag symbolizing Cyprus’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol indicating Cyprus’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2008
Czech Republic
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Czech Republic as an EU member not in the Eurozone.
EU member since 2004
Germany
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag denoting Germany’s status as a founding member and euro user.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol confirming Germany’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Denmark
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Denmark’s EU membership, but opt-out from euro adoption.
EU member since 1973
Estonia
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag indicating Estonia’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol confirming Estonia’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2011
Spain
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Spain’s EU membership and Eurozone participation.
EU member since 1986
alt: Euro currency symbol denoting Spain’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Finland
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag indicating Finland’s EU membership and euro currency adoption.
EU member since 1995
alt: Euro symbol confirming Finland’s use of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
France
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag representing France as a founding member and euro adopter.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol denoting France’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Greece
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag symbolizing Greece’s EU membership and Eurozone participation.
EU member since 1981
alt: Euro symbol indicating Greece’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2001 (cash since 2002)
Croatia
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag representing Croatia’s EU membership and recent euro adoption.
EU member since 2013
alt: Euro currency symbol confirming Croatia’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 2023
Hungary
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Hungary as an EU member outside the Eurozone.
EU member since 2004
Ireland
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag indicating Ireland’s EU membership and adoption of the euro.
EU member since 1973
alt: Euro symbol confirming Ireland’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Italy
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag denoting Italy’s status as a founding member and euro user.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol indicating Italy’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Lithuania
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag symbolizing Lithuania’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol confirming Lithuania’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2015
Luxembourg
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Luxembourg as a founding member and euro adopter.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol denoting Luxembourg’s adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Latvia
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag indicating Latvia’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol confirming Latvia’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2014
Monaco
Non-EU country
Malta
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Malta’s EU membership and Eurozone participation.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol indicating Malta’s adoption of the euro currency.
Euro since 2008
The Netherlands
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag denoting the Netherlands as a founding member and euro user.
EU founding member in 1957
alt: Euro currency symbol confirming the Netherlands’ adoption of the euro.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Poland
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Poland as an EU member not in the Eurozone.
EU member since 2004
Portugal
EU member using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Portugal’s EU membership and Eurozone participation.
EU member since 1986
alt: Euro symbol indicating Portugal’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Romania
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Romania as an EU member yet to adopt the euro.
EU member since 2007
Sweden
EU member not using the euro
alt: EU flag representing Sweden as an EU member outside the Eurozone.
EU member since 1995
Slovenia
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag indicating Slovenia’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol confirming Slovenia’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2007
Slovakia
EU member using the euro
alt: European flag symbolizing Slovakia’s EU membership and euro adoption.
EU member since 2004
alt: Euro symbol indicating Slovakia’s use of the euro currency.
Euro since 2009
San Marino
Non-EU country
Euro Area Membership: EU Countries Using the Euro
The following table provides a concise overview of the European Union member states that have adopted the euro, including the year they joined the EU and the year they officially adopted the euro currency.
| Country | Joined the EU | Adopted the euro |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1995 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Belgium | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Croatia | 2013 | 2023 |
| Cyprus | 2004 | 2008 |
| Estonia | 2004 | 2011 |
| Finland | 1995 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| France | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Germany | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Greece | 1981 | 2001 (cash since 2002) |
| Ireland | 1973 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Italy | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Latvia | 2004 | 2014 |
| Lithuania | 2004 | 2015 |
| Luxembourg | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Malta | 2004 | 2008 |
| The Netherlands | 1957 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Portugal | 1986 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
| Slovakia | 2004 | 2009 |
| Slovenia | 2004 | 2007 |
| Spain | 1986 | 1999 (cash since 2002) |
EU Members Outside the Eurozone
Conversely, the table below lists the EU member states that have not yet adopted the euro. It also includes the year they joined the European Union. These countries are obligated to adopt the euro in the future, with the exception of Denmark which has an opt-out agreement.
| Country | Joined the EU |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 2007 |
| Czech Republic | 2004 |
| Denmark | 1973 |
| Hungary | 2004 |
| Poland | 2004 |
| Romania | 2007 |
| Sweden | 1995 |
It is worth noting that the United Kingdom, a former member of the European Union (from 1973 to 2020), never adopted the euro during its membership.
Historical Euro Conversion Rates
Upon the introduction of euro cash in 2002, fixed conversion rates were established to exchange legacy national currencies for euros. These rates were permanently locked, ensuring a seamless transition to the new European currency. The table below details these fixed conversion rates, showing the value of 1 euro in terms of each participating country’s former currency.
| € | Currency |
|---|---|
| 1 | BEF 40.3399 (Belgian francs) |
| 1 | DEM 1.95583 (Deutsche Mark) |
| 1 | EEK 15.6466 (Estonian kroon) |
| 1 | IEP 0.787564 (Irish pound) |
| 1 | GRD 340.750 (Greek drachmas) |
| 1 | ESP 166.386 (Spanish pesetas) |
| 1 | CYP 0.585274 (Cypriot pound) |
| 1 | FRF 6.55957 (French francs) |
| 1 | HRK 7.53450 (Croatian kuna) |
| 1 | ITL 1936.27 (Italian lire) |
| 1 | LVL 0.702804 (Latvian lats) |
| 1 | LTL 3.45280 (Lithuanian litas) |
| 1 | LUF 40.3399 (Luxembourg francs) |
| 1 | MTL 0.429300 (Maltese lira) |
| 1 | NLG 2.20371 (Dutch guilders) |
| 1 | ATS 13.7603 (Austrian schillings) |
| 1 | PTE 200.482 (Portuguese escudos) |
| 1 | SIT 239.640 (Slovenian tolars) |
| 1 | SKK 30.1260 (Slovak koruna) |
| 1 | FIM 5.94573 (Finnish markkas) |
Test Your Euro Knowledge
Want to see how well you understand euro money and its history? Take our interactive quiz to test your knowledge of the euro and the European Central Bank.
Explore Further Euro-Related Topics
To expand your understanding of euro money and related financial aspects, explore these resources:
Complete Section Overview
This page is part of a broader section dedicated to providing comprehensive information about the euro and its role in the European economy. Explore the other pages within this section for a deeper dive into various aspects of euro money.
