English

Key facts about the euro, 20 years after euro cash first hit our streets

Video. How the euro has evolved

Updated: 12/01/2022 - 15:59 GMT+1

In partnership withThe European Commission

The euro was initially an electronic currency used by financial markets and for cashless payments. On 1 January 2002, euro coins and banknotes were introduced in 12 European countries, replacing the national currencies.

Read full article

Top stories

Now playing Next

How the euro has evolved

In partnership with The European Commission

Now playing Next

Homes, training and jobs: what’s the reality of Social Europe?

In partnership with The European Commission

Now playing Next

Latest news bulletin | May 16th, 2026 – Evening

Now playing Next

Final preparations ramp up ahead of WUF13

In partnership with World Urban Forum

Now playing Next

Five Italians die in Maldives cave diving tragedy

Now playing Next

London police out in force as tens of thousands attend rival rallies

Now playing Next

South Korea: Thousands watch robot monks march through Seoul’s historic streets

Now playing Next

London on edge as Tommy Robinson backers and pro-Palestinian marchers rally

Now playing Next

Indian PM Modi begins European tour with meeting of Dutch royals

More from Real Economy

Real Economy

From crisis to cooperation: how the EU handled the troubled 2019-2024 era

Real Economy

How working abroad can kickstart careers for young NEETs

Real Economy

How do the EU's new disability cards facilitate cross-border travel?

Real Economy

What’s the impact of Europe’s RRF fund on the Greek economy?

Latest video

Art

Sculpting the past: Michelangelo and Rodin mixed and matched in Paris Louvre exhibition

Europe News

Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine as 528 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers are returned

Europe News

Hundreds of Hungarian roads may be contaminated with asbestos

Culture news

Extraordinary discovery in Pompeii: A doctor identified thanks to his instruments

Maldives

Five Italians die in Maldives cave diving tragedy

No Comment

Funeral in Jabalia after Israeli strike hits Gaza wake despite ceasefire

Made in Europe

World leader in Earth observation made in Europe: Small satellites from Finland see everything

Uzbekistan

Women's rights and demographics take centre stage at regional forum in Bukhara

ADVERTISEMENT

No Comment

Watch: Ukraine and Russia swap 205 prisoners each in major exchange deal

Tech News

NASA's Psyche spacecraft to race past Mars in hunt for clues about how Earth was formed

No Comment

South Korea opens Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul with K-pop, AI shows and family fun

Europe News

'Point of no return': 36 countries join special tribunal to prosecute Vladimir Putin

Europe Today

Watch: Beyond Eurovision's glitter - how geopolitics became the biggest act in Vienna

Europe News

Spain's PM Pedro Sánchez 'proud' of Barcelona's Yamal in Palestinian flag row

Ukraine

Death toll from large-scale Russian attack that slammed Ukraine rises to 24

Europe in Motion

Which European countries are the largest exporters of plastic waste?