Spain joined the European Union in 1986 and was in the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
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Spain at a glance
Surface area: 505 370 km2
Population: 44 474 631 (Eurostat 2007)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1986
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Spanish peseta, ESP)
Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999
Fixed conversion rate: 1 = 166.386 ESP
Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Spain on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only existed as ‘book money’. The dual circulation period when both the Spanish peseta and the euro had legal tender status ended on 28 February 2002.
Exchange of former national currency: The Banco de España (national central bank of Spain) continues to exchange peseta notes and coins for an unlimited period.
Opinion polls and surveys
- Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- The Eurosystem and Notes and coins on the Bank of Spain website (also in English)
- Aula virtual (Bank of Spain’s educational website)
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- Banco de España (Bank of Spain, also in English)
- Bank customers portal (Bank of Spain, also in English)
- Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda (Ministry of Economy and Finance, also in English and French)
- Real Casa de la Moneda Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (Royal Spanish Mint, also in English)
Business
- Euro Info Centres Spain
- Camaras Españolas de Comercio e Industria (Spanish Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Trade)
Consumers
Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios OCU (National Consumers’ Association)
