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Italy and the euro

03 February 2008
by eub2 -- last modified 03 February 2008

Italy 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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Italy at a glance

Surface area: 301 340 km2
Population: 59 131 287 (Eurostat 2007)
Joined the European Union: Founding member (25 March 1957)
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Italian lira, ITL)

Euro information

Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999.

Fixed conversion rate: €1 = 1 936.27 ITL

Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Italy 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 Italian lira and the euro had legal tender status – ended on 28 February 2002.

Exchange of former national currency: The Banca d’Italia (National Central Bank of Italy) will continue to exchange Italian lira banknotes and coins until 29 February 2012.

Opinion polls and surveys

Websites

Euro websites

Institutions

Business

Consumers


Source: European Commission