Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
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Belgium at a glance
Surface area: 30 530 km2
Population: 10 511 382 (Eurostat 2006)
Joined the European Union: founding member (25 March 1957)
Currency: euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Belgian franc, BEF)
Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999
Fixed conversion rate: 1 = 40.3399 BEF
Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Belgium 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 Belgian franc and the euro had legal tender status ended on 28 February 2002.
Exchange of former national currency: The Banque nationale de Belgique Nationale Bank van België (National Central Bank of Belgium) exchanged national coins until 31 December 2004 and will continue to exchange national banknotes for an unlimited period.
Opinion polls and surveys
- Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- The euro on the National Bank of Belgium site (also in Dutch, French, German)
- Z’euro (educational website of the French Community of Belgium)
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- Banque nationale de Belgique Nationale Bank van België (National Bank of Belgium)
- Portail du Service Public Fédéral Finances Portaalsite van de Federale Overheidsdienst (Portal of the Federal Public Service of Finance)
- Monnaie Royale de Belgique Koninklijke Munt van België (Belgian Mint, also in English)
Business
- Euro Info Centres Belgium (in English only)
Consumers
