Modified:
07 - 06 - 2020
From 1 January 2002, when Euro notes and coins are introduced, it will become increasingly more difficult to use the national currencies of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Initially most countries will have a two month transition period after which the old currencies will cease to be legal tender and they will only be accepted by banks as shown in this table:
| Table of final dates for national currencies #1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Legal tender | Commercial banks | Central bank coins | Central bank banknotes |
| Austria | 28-02-2002 | To be decided | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Belgium | 28-02-2002 | 31-12-2002 | End of 2004 | Unlimited |
| Finland | 28-02-2002 | Up to banks | Ten years | Ten years |
| France | 17-02-2002 | 30-06-2002 | At least 3 years | Ten years |
| Germany | 31-12-2001 #2 | 28-02-2002 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Greece | 28-02-2002 | To be decided | Two years | Ten years |
| Italy | 28-02-2002 | To be decided | Ten years | Ten years |
| Ireland | 09-02-2002 | 30-06-2002 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Luxembourg | 28-02-2002 | 30-06-2002 | End of 2004 | Unlimited |
| Netherlands | 28-01-2002 | 31-12-2002 | 01-01-2007 | 01-01-2032 |
| Portugal | 28-02-2002 | 30-06-2002 | 31-12-2002 | Twenty years |
| Spain | 28-02-2002 | 30-06-2002 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
During the transition period it should be possible to use both currencies but as shops and restaurants change to the Euro they will be reluctant to use the old currency. In practice most shops will only give change in Euros from 1 January 2002 hence withdrawing old currencies from circulation within two or three weeks. If you are not intending to visit the Eurozone soon, you should exchange any legacy currency notes as soon as possible as non-Eurozone banks are unlikely to accept them after they cease to be legal tender.
| 8224 hits since December 2001 | |
Owner: Modified: |
Webmaster 07 - 06 - 2020 |