
European Countries That Don't Use The Euro
Country | European Union Member | Currency |
Albania | No | Albanian lek (1 LEK = $0.009 USD) |
Belarus | No | Belarusian ruble (1 BYN = $0.42 USD) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | No | Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Marka (1 ... |
Bulgaria | Yes, intends to adopt the euro | Bulgarian lev (1 BGN = $0.57 USD) |
Why do some countries in Europe not use the Euro?
Countries that don't use the euro maintain the independence of their economies, such as the ability to set their own interest rates and other monetary policies; the flip side is that they must manage their own financial crises and can't go to the European Central Bank for assistance.
What are countries in Europe aren't using the Euro?
Countries that do not use the euro, but are part of the Single Euro Payments Area, which allows simplified bank transfers: Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Hungary Iceland Liechtenstein Norway Poland Romania More items...
What are countries in Europe aren't with the EU?
The European countries that are not members of the EU:
- Albania*
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina**
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Kosovo**
- Liechtenstein
Which countries refused to use euro as a currency?
The number of EU countries that do not use the euro as their currency; the countries are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. A country’s economy is highly sensitive to the Treasury bond yields. Again, non-euro countries have the advantage here.
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Do all EU countries use the euro?
Although all EU countries are part of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), 19 of them have replaced their national currencies with the single currency – the euro. These EU countries form the euro area, also known as the eurozone.
Which 3 countries do not use the euro?
Eight countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden) are EU members but do not use the euro.
Why Denmark does not use euro?
Denmark. Denmark signed the Maastricht Treaty, which provides special conditions where it does not have to adopt the euro currency despite being a member state of the European Union (the United Kingdom also had signed this agreement, prior to leaving the EU in January 2020). Denmark uses Danish krone currency (1 DKK = ...
Why does Poland not use the euro?
Poland does not meet 2 criteria of exchange rate stability and long-term interest rates. Moreover, Polish law is not completely compatible with the EU Treaties.
How many countries do not use the euro?
In total, seven EU countries don't use the euro: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. In these countries, visitors from the eurozone still need to exchange money before they travel.
Which country has the lowest currency in Europe?
Weakest CurrenciesBelarus: 1 USD = 20,096 Belarusian ruble.Armenia: 1 USD = 481.5 Armenian dram.Hungary: 1 USD = 276.9 Hungarian forint.Albania: 1 USD = 123.7 Albanian lek.Serbia: 1 USD = 108.3 Serbian dinar.
Why does Hungary not use the euro?
Hungary originally planned to adopt the euro as its official currency in 2007 or 2008. Later 1 January 2010 became the target date, but that date was abandoned because of an excessively high budget deficit, inflation, and public debt.
Why is Sweden not in the euro?
2003 referendum A referendum held in September 2003 saw 55.9 percent vote against membership of the eurozone. As a consequence, Sweden decided in 2003 not to adopt the euro for the time being.
Why does Sweden not use the euro?
A referendum held in September 2003 saw 55.9 percent vote against membership of the eurozone. As a consequence, Sweden decided in 2003 not to adopt the euro for the time being.
Why does Hungary not use the euro?
Hungary originally planned to adopt the euro as its official currency in 2007 or 2008. Later 1 January 2010 became the target date, but that date was abandoned because of an excessively high budget deficit, inflation, and public debt.
Do they use euro in Turkey?
Turkey uses the US dollar as much as it does Euros. The same theory applies. Airport shops and major tourist areas accept US dollars, but it's best to use the local currency. You can use US dollars, but you won't get a good exchange rate.
Can you use euros in Iceland?
Although the official currency is Icelandic Kroner, some of the larger hotels and stores do accept euros or dollars. However, they set their exchange rate, so you would end up paying above the odds.
Why have some countries not adopted the Euro?
Some of the countries on this list belong to the EU, but have not yet adopted the Euro due do economic circumstances , including the strains added by the COVID-19 pandemic. Another economic nuance that arises when switching from domestic currency to the Euro, include the change to the banking system.
Which country negotiated an opt out of the Euro currency area?
Denmark negotiated an "opt-out" in the membership of the euro currency area of the EU policy.
What is the lowest value currency in Europe?
Russia has one of the lowest valued currencies in Europe, at 1 ruble equivalent to 0.014 US cents. It also features relatively cheap prices for foreign visitors and a low buying power when Russians travel abroad with rubles to convert. It is also a unique case because it will "never" join the EU.
What are the advantages of adopting the Euro?
According to the EU, adopting the Euro holds many advantages for participating countries, such as no-hassle trade, a stabilized economy and more choices and opportunities for consumers. Nevertheless, a stabilized economy through common currency can be a long-term process, especially if the country begins in a state of a weakened economy. The EU also mentions that obstacles to adopting the Euro that can break a country may include weak political commitment, varying views of economic priorities within the state, and turbulence in international markets.
How many countries are there in Europe?
According to the United Nations, there are 44 countries in Europe. 28 of those belong to the European Union, with Croatia as its latest addition in 2013. Out of the European countries, 20 of them do not use the Euro as their currency. Some of these countries do not belong to the EU and some of those that do have "adopting the Euro" on their agenda, ...
Which country has the lowest currency?
Iceland . Iceland, a non-EU country, has the lowest valued currency out of the countries that are not in the EU and second-lowest out of the twenty European countries that do not use the Euro, with 1 Icelandic krona valued at $0.007 USD. Nevertheless, Icelanders’ salaries reflect Iceland as a thriving country.
Is Denmark a member of the EU?
1 Danish krone on a pile of other Danish coins. Though Denmark is a member of the EU, they negotiated out of Euro adoption, so they will continue to retain their own currency. Image credit: jax10289/Shutterstock.
Which countries do not use the Euro?
The number of EU countries that do not use the euro as their currency; the countries are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Why are EU nations different?
EU nations are diverse in culture, climate, population, and economy. Nations have different financial needs and challenges to address. The common currency imposes a system of central monetary policy applied uniformly. The problem, however, is what’s good for the economy of one eurozone nation may be terrible for another. Most EU nations that have avoided the eurozone do so to maintain economic independence. Here's a look at the issues that many EU nations want to address independently.
How many countries are in the Eurozone?
There are 27 countries in the European Union, but 8 of them are not in the eurozone and therefore don't use the euro. 1. The 8 countries choose to use their own currency as a way to maintain financial independence on certain key issues. Those issues include setting monetary policy, dealing with issues specific to each country, ...
What is the role of the European Central Bank?
Since the European Central Bank (ECB) sets the economic and monetary policies for all eurozone nations, there is no independence for an individual state to craft policies tailored for its own conditions. 2
What was the European Union?
The formation of the European Union (EU) paved the way for a unified, multi-country financial system under a single currency —the euro.
Why are non-euro countries more sensitive to bond yields?
Again, non-euro countries have the advantage here. They have their own independent central banks which can act as the lender of last resort for the country’s debt. In the case of rising bond yields, these central banks start buying the bonds and in that way increase liquidity in the markets.
Why do nations face economic challenges?
Nations can face economic challenges due to periodic cycles of high inflation, high wages, reduced exports, or reduced industrial production. Such situations can be efficiently handled by devaluing the nation’s currency, which makes exports cheaper and more competitive and encourages foreign investments.

Norway & Denmark
Russia
- Russia has one of the lowest valued currencies in Europe, at 1 ruble equivalent to 0.014 US cents. It also features relatively cheap prices for foreign visitors and a low buying power when Russians travel abroad with rubles to convert. It is also a unique case because it will "never" join the EU.
Iceland
- Iceland, a non-EU country, has the lowest valued currency out of the countries that are not in the EU and second-lowest out of the twenty European countries that do not use the Euro, with 1 Icelandic krona valued at $0.007 USD. Nevertheless, Icelanders’ salaries reflect Iceland as a thriving country.
Ukraine
- Ukraine has long been planning on joining the EU. In fact, if a referendum took place in the near future, polls indicate it would be supported by 57% of the nation. However, this only helps Ukraine meet one of the requirements for joining the EU, in that the country must have "the consent of their citizens – as expressed through approval in their national parliament or by referendum." W…
Romania
- Romania joined the European Union in 2007, stating that it was planning to adopt the Euro by 2019. Because of the worldwide economic slump of 2008, the plan was pushed back further to 2022, and currently, the projected date of joining is in 2024, but many say this target is ambitious. Romania has significant economic challenges to make up as it is struggling to meet EU targets, …
Hungary
- Hungary, an emerging country and part of the EU, is not planning on switching to Euro, even though it has the lowest valued currency out of all European countries. Its forint is worth $0.003 USD, so its low-valued currency does not give the Hungarians much buying power when travelling abroad. Hungary's government seems to want to study the effects of Euro adoption thoroughly b…
Mandatory Implementation
- To be part of the Union, once the countries meet all of the conditions, it is mandatory for them to adopt the Euro. Some of the countries in the EU that have not yet adopted the Euro are waiting until their economies are ready. The transition requires a stable economy, in order for the adjustment to go smoothly for citizens, the denationalization of the currency, the changes to th…
Effects on The Economy
- Currently, the countries with their own currencies have the national banking system which has the power to adjust the value of the currency and the amount of the notes printed, based on the needs of the country for various reasons, such as countering inflation. Once part of the European Union, the country agrees to be managed by the European Central Bank. Switching to the Euro can be a …
Drafting Monetary Policies
Handling Country-Specific Issues
- Every economy has its own challenges. Greece, for example, has a high sensitivity to interest rate changes, as most of its mortgages are on a variable interest rate rather than fixed.6 However, being bound by European Central Bank regulations, Greece does not have the independence to manage interest rates to most benefit its people and economy.7 Meanwhile, the UK economy is …
Lender of Last Resort
- A country’s economy is highly sensitive to the Treasury bond yields. Again, non-euro countries have the advantage here. They have their own independent central banks which can act as the lender of last resort for the country’s debt. In the case of rising bond yields, these central banks start buying the bonds and in that way increase liquidityin the markets. Eurozone countrie…
Inflation-Controlling Measures
- When inflation rises in an economy, an effective response is to increase interest rates. Non-euro countries can do this through the monetary policy of their independent regulators. Eurozone countries don’t always have that option. For example, following the economic crisis, the European Central Bank raised interest rates fearing high inflation in Germany.10 The move helped German…
Currency Devaluation
- Nations can face economic challenges due to periodic cycles of high inflation, high wages, reduced exports, or reduced industrial production. Such situations can be efficiently handled by devaluing the nation’s currency, which makes exports cheaper and more competitive and encourages foreign investments. Non-euro countries can devalue their respective currencies as …
The Bottom Line
- Eurozone nations first thrived under the euro. The common currency brought with it the elimination of exchange rate volatility (and associated costs), easy access to a large and monetarily unified European market, and price transparency.14 However, the financial crisis of 2007-2008 revealed some pitfalls of the euro. Some eurozone economies suffered more than ot…