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European Union

Map of EU enlargements

Please select a country

Austria

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1995

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Belgium

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Bulgaria

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 2007

Cyprus

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2008

Czech Republic

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 2004

Germany

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Denmark

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 1973

Estonia

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2011

Spain

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1986

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Finland

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1995

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

France

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

United Kingdom

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 1973

Greece

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1981

Euro since 2001 (cash since 2002)

Croatia

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2013

Euro since 2023

Hungary

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 2004

Ireland

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1973

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Italy

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Lithuania

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2015

Luxembourg

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Latvia

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2014

Monaco

Non-EU country

Malta

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2008

The Netherlands

EU member using the euro

EU founding member in 1957

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Poland

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 2004

Portugal

EU member using the euro

EU member since 1986

Euro since 1999 (cash since 2002)

Romania

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 2007

Sweden

EU member not using the euro

EU member since 1995

Slovenia

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2007

Slovakia

EU member using the euro

EU member since 2004

Euro since 2009

San Marino

Non-EU country

Milestones of European integration

After the Second World War, politicians in several countries in Europe were convinced that the only way to prevent another war in Europe was to unite those countries economically and politically.

1950
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposes integrating the coal and steel industries of western Europe.
1951
Six countries set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC): Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. In 2002 the ECSC Treaty expires, as foreseen, after 50 years.
1957
The Treaties of Rome are signed, creating the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC). The objective of the Member States is to remove trade and tariff barriers between those countries and form a common market.
1967
The institutions of the three European Communities (the ECSC, the EEC and Euratom) are merged. Three new institutions are formed: the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
1970
Following a decision taken in 1969 by the European Council (i.e. the Heads of State or Government of the EEC Member States), the Werner Report lays down the first blueprint for an economic and monetary union comprising the then six Member States of the EEC. For a number of reasons, the plan fails in the early 1970s.
1973
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Economic Community. The EEC now has nine Member States.
1979
The governments and central banks of the nine Member States create the European Monetary System (EMS). Its main feature is the exchange rate mechanism (ERM), which establishes fixed but adjustable exchange rates between the currencies of the participating countries.
1981
Greece joins the European Economic Community.
1986
Spain and Portugal join the European Economic Community.
1986
The idea of an economic and monetary union is revived in the Single European Act (SEA).
1988
The European Council confirms the objective of achieving Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). A committee of experts chaired by Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, examines ways of implementing EMU. Its report (the Delors Report) proposes a three-stage transition process.
1989
The negotiation of the Treaty on European Union begins. This Treaty establishes the European Union (EU) and amends the Treaty establishing the European Community. In particular, it includes provisions on the introduction of EMU and the establishment of the European Central Bank. It is commonly referred to as the “Maastricht Treaty”.
1992
The Maastricht Treaty is signed. It introduces new forms of cooperation between Member States’ governments – for example on defence and the areas of justice and home affairs. By adding this intergovernmental cooperation to the existing “Community” system, the Maastricht Treaty creates the European Union.
1993
The Maastricht Treaty enters into force on 1 November after being ratified by all 12 Member States.
1995
Austria, Finland and Sweden join the European Union.
1990-99
Economic and Monetary Union is implemented in three stages.
2002
Introduction of the euro banknotes and coins in 12 EU countries.
2004
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the European Union on 1 May.
2007
Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union on 1 January.
2009
On 1 December the Lisbon Treaty enters into force.
2011
Three new European financial supervisory authorities begin operating: the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority. They work jointly with the European Systemic Risk Board, also founded in 2011, to ensure financial stability and to improve the EU’s supervisory framework.
2013
Croatia joins the European Union on 1 July.
2014

The ECB fully assumes supervisory tasks and responsibilities for banks in the Member States participating in the Single Supervisory Mechanism.

Banking supervision website
2020
The United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union.

For details, see the website of the European Union.

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