What currency is used by the euro area?

The currency used by the euro area is the euro.

The euro is the common currency of the European Union countries that belong to the eurozone. It was introduced for electronic and accounting purposes on 1 January 1999, replacing national currencies for many financial transactions. Euro coins and banknotes entered circulation on 1 January 2002.

The European Central Bank manages monetary policy for the euro area, working with the national central banks of participating countries. The euro’s international currency code is EUR, and its symbol is €. Coins have a common European side and a national side, while banknotes share designs throughout the euro area.

The euro is not used by every European Union member. Countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Poland retain their own currencies. Several non-EU territories and countries also use the euro through formal agreements or unilateral adoption, making its circulation broader than the eurozone alone.