lapagi

What is the Euro?
The Euro is the single currency of the European market which has been adopted by 11 Member States from 1st January 1999. These are: Austria,
Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, FInland,Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Luxemburg.

What is the subdivision of the Euro ?
The Euro becomes the single currency of the 11 participating Member States on 1st January 1999 and during the transitional period up to 31st December
2001 the national monetary units of these Member States (Lira, Deutsche Mark, Peseta, Franc. . . ) will be "non-decimal" subdivisions of the euro.
The euro itself is divided into 100 cents.

When was the name "Euro" adopted?
In 1995,the European Council of Madrid adopted a name for the European single currency: the Euro. It is divided in cents.

When was it decided to introduce a European single currency?
The Maastricht Treaty decided on the introduction of a European single currency no later than on 1st January 1999. In France, this Treaty was ratified by
referendum in 1992.

When can I start paying in Euros?
From 1st January 1999, we have been able to pay in Euros by check (using another type of check for Euros than for your usual notes and coins), bank card or transfer... but the Euro notes and coins will not be introduced before 1st January 2002.

When will the Euro notes and coins come into circulation?
The Euro notes and coins will be introduced on 1st January 2002 in the 11 countries participating in the Euro market.

Will the new European single currency have the same name in all the Member States ?
Yes, it will have the same name in all the member
states although it may be pronounced differently.

Who designed the euro coins?
In December 1996 the European Monetary Institute decided the winning designs for the new Euro banknotes. The winning artist was an Austrian, Robert Kalina.

Will vending-machines and other coin- or note-operated automatic machines be adapted for use with Euro notes and coins ?
Yes. But since there are more than 3.5 million of them in the participating Member States they will not all be adapted by 1st January 2002, when Euro notes and coins will be introduced.

What do the Euro coins
look like ?
One side of the coins will carry national symbols which each participating Member State will have decided for itself. The common European face of the coins represents a map of the European Union against a background of transverse lines to which are attached the stars of the European flag. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins put emphasis on Europe's place in the world while the 10, 20 and 50 present the Union as a gathering of nations. The 1 and 2 Euro coins depict Europe without frontiers.