20 years of euro banknotes and coins
The euro is an everyday reminder of the benefits of European integration
On 1 January 2002 people in 12 EU countries held euro banknotes and coins in their hands for the first time. Today, the euro is the currency of over 340 million people in 19 EU Member States.
Euro banknotes and coins at 20
How has the euro changed the lives of people in Europe? Look back at 20 years of euro banknotes and coins, find key figures on the euro in one place, such as the number of banknotes in circulation, and see what lies ahead for the single currency.
Euro at 20 websiteBanknotes
We’re continuously working to make sure banknotes are secure, safe and resistant to wear and tear. Explore the security features of our banknotes.
Security features
Video messages from the five EU presidents
Learn more about the anniversary and the euro
#EUROat20
1 January marks 20 years of euro banknotes and coins! To celebrate, we are illuminating our main building in Frankfurt every night until 9 January 2022. Check out the link to see photos and find out more about the anniversary campaign.
Flickr albumThe euro further afield
Did you know that people outside the EU and beyond the European continent use the euro in their daily lives? Find out where!
Where else do people use the euro?A digital euro for a digital era
Digitalisation has spread to every corner of our lives, including our finances and money. We are looking into the benefits and risks of introducing a digital euro that would complement banknotes and coins.
A digital euroHow do people in the euro area like to pay?
We regularly ask people in the euro area how they pay. Cash is still important, but the pandemic has accelerated the use of cashless payments.
Results of studies past and presentThe euro area
When did each country join the euro area and when did it introduce euro banknotes and coins? Explore an interactive map of the euro area.
Please select a country
Austria
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1995
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Belgium
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Bulgaria
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2007
Cyprus
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2008
Czech Republic
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2004
Germany
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Denmark
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 1973
Estonia
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2011
Spain
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1986
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Finland
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1995
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
France
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Greece
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1981
Euro since 2001 (cash since 2002)
Croatia
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2013
Hungary
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2004
Ireland
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1973
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Italy
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Lithuania
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2015
Luxembourg
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Latvia
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2014
Monaco
Non-EU country
Malta
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2008
The Netherlands
EU member using the euro
EU founding member in 1957
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Poland
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2004
Portugal
EU member using the euro
EU member since 1986
Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)
Romania
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 2007
Sweden
EU member not using the euro
EU member since 1995
Slovenia
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2007
Slovakia
EU member using the euro
EU member since 2004
Euro since 2009