Spain and the euro
03 February 2008by eub2 -- last modified 03 February 2008
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 customer’s 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
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Camaras Españolas de Comercio e Industria (Spanish Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Trade)
Consumers
-
Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios – OCU (National Consumers' Association)
Source: European Commission