The Euro is the monetary unit and currency of the European Union, but you may be surprised to learn that several EU states don’t use it – and some countries outside of the bloc do.

The currency was introduced as a noncash monetary unit in 1999, with currency notes and coins appearing in countries in 2002. That year, it became the sole currency of 12 EU member states, ending the use of their national currencies as legal tender.

Other states have adopted the currency since, with more than 20 states on the continent now using it.

Interestingly, some states like Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City use the Euro as their national currency despite not being part of the supranational group. However, they are permitted to do so in agreement with the EU.

According to the EU website, the Euro is used as the de facto currency in other countries, including Kosovo and Montenegro.

All EU Member States are required to adopt the Euro and join the Euro area once they meet certain benchmarks known as the economic convergence criteria.

Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary continue to use their own currencies but will eventually be obliged to join.

Denmark is the only exception, as it is legally exempt from adopting the Euro after agreeing an opt-out with Brussels.

Countries do have the right to put off meeting the Eurozone criteria and postpone adopting the EU. This can be preferable to some economies, providing greater financial independence on certain key issues, and can use their central banks as a lender of last resort to address debt problems.

European countries that don’t use the Euro (including EU countries)

1. Albania – Lek (—)
2. Armenia – Dram (֏)
3. Azerbaijan – Manat (₼)
4. Belarus – Rouble (Rbl)
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (KM)
6. Bulgaria – Lev (лв) – EU
7. Czech Republic – Koruna (Kč) – EU
8. Denmark – Krone (DKr) – EU
9. Georgia – Lari (₾)
10. Hungary – Forint (Ft) – EU
11. Iceland – Krona (Kr)
12. Kazakhstan – Tenge (₸)
13. Liechtenstein – Franc (SFr)
14. Moldova – Leu (—)
15. North Macedonia – Denar (DEN)
16. Norway – Krone (NKr)
17. Poland – Zloty (Zl) – EU
18. Romania – Leu (-) – EU
19. Russia – Rouble (₽)
20. Serbia – Dinar (DIN)
21. Sweden – Krona (SKr) – EU
22. Switzerland – Franc (SFr)
23. Turkey – Lira (₺)
24. United Kingdom – Sterling (£)
25. Ukraine – Hryvnia (₴)

European countries that use the euro (including non-EU countries)

1. Andorra – Euro (€) *
2. Austria – Euro (€) – EU
3. Belgium – Euro (€) – EU
4. Croatia – Euro (€) – EU
5. Cyprus – Euro (€) – EU
6. Estonia – Euro (€) – EU
7. Finland – Euro (€) – EU
8. France – Euro (€) – EU
9. Germany – Euro (€) – EU
10. Greece – Euro (€) – EU
11. Ireland – Euro (€) – EU
12. Italy – Euro (€) – EU
13. Kosovo – Euro (€) **
14. Latvia – Euro (€) – EU
15. Lithuania – Euro (€) – EU
16. Luxembourg – Euro (€) – EU
17. Malta – Euro (€) – EU
18. Monaco – Euro (€) *
19. Montenegro – Euro (€) **
20. Netherlands – Euro (€) – EU
21. Portugal – Euro (€) – EU
22. Slovakia – Euro (€) – EU
23. Slovenia – Euro (€) – EU
24. Spain – Euro (€) – EU
25. San Marino – Euro (€) *
26. Vatican City – Euro (€) *

* Countries use the euro as their national currency in agreement with the bloc

** Countries and territories that use the euro as their de facto currency