The euro currency. There are seven banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro.
There are eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent; and 1 and 2 euro.
The euro notes are identical for all countries and usable throughout the euro area. Each euro-country produces their own
coins - with one common side and one national side. Any country's coins can be used anywhere else in the euro area
(ie you can use a
Spanish 2 euro coin to buy goods in
France). Euro currency is available now from
United Kingdom banks and is legal tender in the euro area.
What the changeover has meant: In the euro area. Bills and change in shops and restaurants are in euro.
Cash machines are dispensing euro notes. Credit and debit cards in the euro area work as normal. Your account will be debited
by the sterling equivalent of the euro on your transaction slip. In the
United Kingdom
Euro notes are available from most banks and bureaux des changes.
Exchange rates for sterling into euro are not fixed and will vary.
Also see the British Bankers Association website for the leaflet on 'You and the Euro' in PDF format.
Further information on euro notes and coins and how they will affect is available in the following documents:
