What Countries Use the Euro? Full List for 2026

As of 2026, 21 European Union countries officially use the euro (EUR) as their national currency. Bulgaria officially joined the eurozone on 1 January 2026, bringing the total number of EU members in the euro area to 21. 

Introduced in 1999 as an electronic currency and later in 2002 as physical notes and coins, the euro has become a symbol of economic integration and stability among its adopters.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of eurozone members, non-EU users, and countries that still do not use the euro, along with what's coming next.

What Countries Use the Euro? Eurozone

Eurozone Members

These 21 EU member states have fully adopted the euro and operate under the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB):

Bulgaria Joins the Eurozone in January 2026 

Bulgaria has successfully adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2026, following completion of the EU convergence criteria and formal approval by the European Central Bank and the Council of the European Union. The conversion rate was fixed at €1 = 1.95583 BGN. [1]

With Bulgaria’s accession, the eurozone now comprises 21 EU member states, leaving six EU nations still outside the euro area as of 2026.

Non-EU and Microstates That Use the Euro

Several small European states and territories use the euro as their official currency despite not being formal eurozone members. Some do so under monetary agreements with the European Union, while others have adopted it unilaterally:

• Andorra

• Monaco

• San Marino

• Vatican City

• Kosovo (unilateral use)

• Montenegro (unilateral use)

In the case of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, the euro is used under formal agreements that also allow limited issuance of euro coins. Kosovo and Montenegro, by contrast, use the euro without an official agreement with the EU, but it functions as the primary medium of exchange in both economies.

EU Countries That Do Not Use the Euro (As of 2026)

Not all European Union members have adopted the euro, and the reasons vary from economic readiness to political preference and legal opt-outs.

According to EU treaties, all member countries (unless they have formal exemptions) are expected to embrace the euro. To qualify, a country must meet the Maastricht convergence criteria, which include:

1. Inflation control: National inflation must remain within 1.5 percentage points of the top-performing countries in the EU.

2. Stable long-term interest rates: Aligned with eurozone levels.

3. Fiscal discipline: Budget deficits below 3% of GDP and public debt below 60% of GDP.

4. Exchange-rate stability: At least two years of participation in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) without major devaluation.

Recent Developments and Future Prospects

1. Bulgaria’s Euro Adoption in 2026

Bulgaria successfully completed its transition from the lev to the euro on 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st eurozone member state. Dual pricing was introduced to support price transparency during the changeover period, and the euro now serves as Bulgaria’s sole legal tender. The country’s accession further deepens eurozone integration across Central and Eastern Europe.

2. Potential Future Adopters

Several EU member states remain outside the eurozone but retain legal commitments to adopt the euro once convergence criteria are satisfied. These include Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Sweden, while Denmark maintains a formal opt-out. Progress varies significantly across states, and political appetite remains a key determinant of future accession timelines.

3. Euro’s Role Beyond Europe

The euro continues to consolidate its position as a global reserve and settlement currency. It is widely used in cross-border trade, energy transactions, sovereign debt issuance, and central-bank reserves. In parts of Southeastern Europe and North Africa, euro invoicing and informal circulation remain common, reinforcing its role as a regional anchor currency.

4. Digital Euro and Payment Innovation

The European Central Bank (ECB) is advancing preparations for a potential digital euro, aimed at complementing cash and supporting secure, efficient retail payments across the eurozone. While not yet launched, ongoing policy development could further modernize the euro’s role in digital finance and cross-border payments.

5. Banking and Capital Market Integration

Further integration of European banking supervision and capital markets remains a strategic objective for EU policymakers. Enhanced alignment would strengthen financial stability, deepen liquidity pools, and reduce fragmentation across the euro area. Bulgaria’s entry increases participation in these systems.

6. Eurozone Economic Outlook

With 21 member states now sharing a common currency, the eurozone continues to balance monetary cohesion with diverse fiscal and structural conditions. Policy coordination, inflation management, and competitiveness reforms remain central priorities for sustaining long-term economic resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Many Countries Use the Euro in 2026?

As of 2026, 21 countries officially use the euro (€) as their national currency. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, becoming the newest member of the eurozone.

2. Which Countries Are Part of the Eurozone in 2026?

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

3. Why Doesn’t Denmark Use the Euro?

Denmark secured a formal opt-out from the euro under the Maastricht Treaty. In a 2000 referendum, 53% of Danish voters rejected euro adoption, and the country has retained the Danish krone (DKK) while participating in the ERM II exchange-rate framework.

4. Are More Countries Expected to Adopt the Euro Soon?

Several EU members remain legal candidates to join the eurozone, including Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Sweden, but no formal accession dates are currently agreed. Future adoption will depend on economic readiness and political commitment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the euro remains one of the world’s most influential currencies. It now unites 21 EU nations under a single monetary system, following Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026.

More than two decades since its introduction, the euro has evolved beyond a medium of exchange to become a symbol of European integration, macroeconomic coordination, and cross-border financial stability.

As Europe continues to navigate geopolitical, technological, and economic change, the eurozone’s growth and institutional resilience will remain key indicators of confidence in the continent’s shared financial future.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Sources

[1] https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2025/html/ecb.pr250708~b9676a9fa8.en.html