Euro

:For other uses, see {{PAGENAME}} (disambiguation) or EUR (disambiguation).

Characteristics

:Main articles: euro coins, euro banknotes

Related Topics:
Euro coins - Euro banknotes

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The euro is divided into 100 cents. In the English language, the form "cent" is officially required to be used in legislation in the singular and in the plural, though the natural plural cents is recommended for use in material aimed at the general public. (For more information on language and the euro, see the relevant section below.)

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All euro coins have a common side showing the denomination (value) and a national side showing an image specifically chosen by the country that issued it; the monarchies often have a picture of their reigning monarch, other countries usually have their national symbols. All the different coins can be used in all the participating member states: for example, a euro coin bearing an image of the Spanish king is legal tender not only in Spain, but also in all the other nations where the euro is in use. There are two-euro, one-euro, fifty-cent, twenty-cent, ten-cent, five-cent, two-cent and one-cent coins, though the latter two are not generally used in Finland or the Netherlands (but are still legal tender).

Related Topics:
Euro coins - Monarchies

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Euro banknotes have a common design for each denomination on both sides. Notes are issued in the following amounts: €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, and €5. Some higher denominations are not issued in some countries, though again, are legal tender.

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There is a eurowide clearing system for large transactions, set up prior to the launch of the euro - TARGET. For retail payments, several arrangements are used and the general rule is that a intra-eurozone transfer shall cost the same as a domestic one. Credit card charging and ATM withdrawals within the eurozone also are charged as if they were domestic. Paper based payment orders, such as cheques, are still domestic based.

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