Finland joined the European Union in 1995 and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
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Finland at a glance
Surface area: 338 140 km2
Population: 5 276 955 (Eurostat 2007)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1995
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Finnish markka, FIM)
Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999.
Fixed conversion rate: 1 = 5.94573 FIM
Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Finland 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 Finnish markka and the euro had legal tender status ended on 28 February 2002.
Exchange of former national currency: The Suomen Pankki (National Bank of Finland) will continue to exchange markka banknotes and coins until 29 February 2012, although some exceptions apply to old markka coins annulled before the euro changeover.
Markka banknotes are also redeemed by commercial banks (Nordea and Sampo), co-operative banks, saving banks, and Forex Oy.
Documents and publications
- Cash changeover plan (National Bank of Finland, October 2001, also in English and Swedish)
Opinion polls and surveys
Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- ‘Banknotes and coins’ on the National Bank of Finland website (also in English and Swedish)
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- Suomen Pankki Finlands Bank (National Bank of Finland, also in English)
- Rahoitustarkastus Finansinspektionen (Finnish Financial Supervision Authority, also in English)
- Rahapaja Oy Myntverket i Finland (also in English)
Business
- Euro Info Centres Finland
- Keskuskauppakamari Centralhandelskammaren (Finland Central Chamber of Commerce, also in English)
Consumers
- Suomen Kuluttajaliitto, SK (also in Swedish)
