Italy and the euro
03 February 2008by 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
-
Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- Banknotes and coins (Bank of Italy website)
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- Banca d'Italia (Bank of Italy, also in English)
- Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze (Ministry of Economy and Finance)
- Istituto Poligrafico Zecca dello Stato (Italian Mint)
Business
- Euro Info Centres Italy
- Associazione Bancaria Italiana (Italian Bankers’ Association)
Consumers
- Centro Europeo Consumatori Italia (European Consumer Centre Italy)
- Altroconsumo
Source: European Commission