Official currency of 21 EU member states, representing over 341 million people across the Eurozone.
From the Maastricht Treaty to a global reserve currency
The Treaty on European Union is signed, laying the legal foundation for a single European currency and establishing convergence criteria for member states.
The euro is introduced as a virtual accounting currency on January 1st. Eleven EU member states fix their exchange rates to the euro. The European Central Bank takes over monetary policy.
Euro banknotes and coins enter circulation on January 1st across 12 countries. By February 28th, the euro becomes the sole legal tender, replacing national currencies like the Deutsche Mark, French Franc, and Italian Lira.
Slovenia (2007), Cyprus & Malta (2008), Slovakia (2009), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2014), and Lithuania (2015) all join the Eurozone, expanding the currency union significantly.
Croatia joins in 2023, becoming the 20th member. Bulgaria is set to become the 21st Eurozone member on January 1, 2026, after meeting all convergence criteria in 2025.
Convert Euro to major world currencies instantly
21 EU member states that use the Euro as their official currency
The Europa series — featuring architectural styles from European history
The smallest denomination, featuring Classical architecture in grey-brown tones.
Red-orange note depicting Romanesque architectural elements from the 11th–12th centuries.
Blue note showcasing Gothic architecture, the most widely circulated denomination.
Orange note featuring Renaissance architecture — the most commonly used large note.
Green note depicting Baroque and Rococo architectural styles from the 17th–18th centuries.
Yellow-brown note featuring Art Nouveau architecture from the early 20th century.
Purple note with modern 20th-century architecture. No longer issued but remains legal tender.
All coins share a common European side and a national side unique to each issuing country.
Essential information about the world's second most important currency
The European Central Bank (ECB), headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, manages monetary policy for the entire Eurozone.
1 Euro = 100 Euro cents. The symbol € was inspired by the Greek letter epsilon (Є) and the first letter of "Europe".
Euro banknotes include holograms, watermarks, security threads, microprinting, and UV-reactive inks to prevent counterfeiting.
The euro is used officially in 44 countries and territories worldwide, including EU microstates like Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.
The euro accounts for approximately 20% of global foreign exchange reserves, making it the second most held reserve currency after the US Dollar.
Over 341 million people in the Eurozone use the euro daily, with the currency also used by millions more in non-EU territories.