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Which Countries Use The Euro – A Simply Guide

There are currently 17 countries in the Eurozone but what countries use the Euro?

Obviously, if you are planning a business trip or holiday to Europe, you will need to know what currency the country you are visiting uses.

The following countries are the countries that are currently in the Eurozone and currently use the Euro as their currency.

 

A List Of What Countries Use The Euro

If you are wondering how many countries use the euro, below a list of the countries that currently use the euro as the main currency:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain

Initially, there were 11 countries that joined the Euro in 1999 and at later dates over the past decade, another 6 countries have also opted to join.

Although these countries adopted the Euro in 1999, this was only by ‘Unit of Account’. This meant that no bank notes or coins were in circulation in any country but financial documentations and accounting were using the Euro. This was so that many systems, people and accounting software could get used to this new data and currency and would be ready once the new currency was actually brought in to circulation. The Euro currency of bank notes and coins was not introduced into circulation until 01 January 2002.

Once the Euro came into circulation, all cash machines in the Eurozone countries began giving out Euros. Shops and other retailers could still accept their own currency but had to give change in Euros. Eventually, all the countries in the Eurozone own currencies had been collected and handed to the banks and the only currency being traded throughout the Eurozone was the Euro.

The currency of the Euro is now used by over 330 million Europeans and is the second largest traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar.

There are also 3 micro states that now have permission to use and issue the Euro currency, these are: Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City

The Euro now has the largest combined value of bank notes and coins in circulation in the world.

The Euro is the second largest reserve currency in the world, meaning it is held in large quantities by several governments as part of their Foreign Exchange Reserves.

Knowing what countries use the Euro, will ensure you exchange the correct currency before traveling.

Useful Reading:

Euro Exchange Rate HistoryWhat Is An Exchange RateUsing Credit Cards AbroadWhy Compare Exchange RatesHow To Find The Best Exchange Rates For Euros

 

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