Celebrating 20 years of the euro in our pockets

Council of the
European Union




Celebrating 20 years of the euro in our pockets


On 1 January 2002, the euro started circulating in Europe and close to 308 million people started carrying the same money in their pockets. Today, the euro is used by more than 340 million EU citizens and it is the second most important currency in the world.

For the past 20 years, the euro has been a tangible everyday reminder of the freedoms and opportunities the EU makes possible by making it easier for us to do business, travel and even retire abroad.

More than a common currency, the euro is also a key element of European integration and a shared part of our common identity. At the same time, the euro celebrates each euro area country's unique cultural heritage with the €2 commemorative coins.




Click to learn more about the euro and find out more about Don Quixote, Estonian chess-masters and Slovenian bees.

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Council of the European Union