Many European countries use the euro, but not the whole continent. The Swiss franc, the British pound, the Scandinavian krones, the Polish złoty and the Hungarian forint are all widely used too. Knowing the currency and language of each country before you travel helps you plan your budget accurately and communicate with confidence when you arrive.
Short answer: As of 2026, 21 of the 27 EU member states use the euro; Bulgaria became the latest to join on 1 January 2026. Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden are EU members but keep their own currencies. Outside the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Iceland also have their own currencies. The table below lists the currency, currency code and official languages of 48 European countries.
Countries that use the euro
The 21 members of the eurozone are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
Several non-EU countries use the euro as well: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City through agreements with the EU, and Montenegro and Kosovo by their own choice.
Are the EU, Schengen and the eurozone the same thing?
These three are often confused, but they're different, and the difference affects your travel plans:
- European Union (EU): A political and economic union of 27 member states.
- Eurozone: The 21 EU countries that use the euro as their official currency.
- Schengen area: 29 countries with no border checks between them. As well as most EU countries, it includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which aren't in the EU. Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen, and Cyprus had not yet completed its entry into Schengen when this guide was last updated.
In practice: Switzerland is in Schengen, so the same entry rules apply as for other Schengen countries, but it uses the Swiss franc rather than the euro. Ireland uses the euro but isn't in Schengen, so it has its own entry rules. Always check visa and entry requirements on official websites.
Table of European countries: currencies and official languages
| Country | Currency | Code | Official language(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Albanian lek | ALL | Albanian |
| Andorra | Euro | EUR | Catalan |
| Austria | Euro | EUR | German |
| Belarus | Belarusian ruble | BYN | Belarusian, Russian |
| Belgium | Euro | EUR | Dutch, French, German |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Convertible mark | BAM | Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian |
| Bulgaria | Euro | EUR | Bulgarian |
| Croatia | Euro | EUR | Croatian |
| Cyprus | Euro | EUR | Greek, Turkish |
| Czechia | Czech koruna | CZK | Czech |
| Denmark | Danish krone | DKK | Danish |
| Estonia | Euro | EUR | Estonian |
| Finland | Euro | EUR | Finnish, Swedish |
| France | Euro | EUR | French |
| Germany | Euro | EUR | German |
| Greece | Euro | EUR | Greek |
| Hungary | Hungarian forint | HUF | Hungarian |
| Iceland | Icelandic króna | ISK | Icelandic |
| Ireland | Euro | EUR | Irish, English |
| Italy | Euro | EUR | Italian |
| Kosovo | Euro | EUR | Albanian, Serbian |
| Latvia | Euro | EUR | Latvian |
| Liechtenstein | Swiss franc | CHF | German |
| Lithuania | Euro | EUR | Lithuanian |
| Luxembourg | Euro | EUR | Luxembourgish, French, German |
| Malta | Euro | EUR | Maltese, English |
| Moldova | Moldovan leu | MDL | Romanian |
| Monaco | Euro | EUR | French |
| Montenegro | Euro | EUR | Montenegrin |
| Netherlands | Euro | EUR | Dutch |
| North Macedonia | Macedonian denar | MKD | Macedonian, Albanian |
| Northern Cyprus | Turkish lira | TRY | Turkish |
| Norway | Norwegian krone | NOK | Norwegian |
| Poland | Polish złoty | PLN | Polish |
| Portugal | Euro | EUR | Portuguese |
| Romania | Romanian leu | RON | Romanian |
| Russia | Russian ruble | RUB | Russian |
| San Marino | Euro | EUR | Italian |
| Serbia | Serbian dinar | RSD | Serbian |
| Slovakia | Euro | EUR | Slovak |
| Slovenia | Euro | EUR | Slovenian |
| Spain | Euro | EUR | Spanish (Catalan, Basque, Galician in some regions) |
| Sweden | Swedish krona | SEK | Swedish |
| Switzerland | Swiss franc | CHF | German, French, Italian, Romansh |
| Turkey | Turkish lira | TRY | Turkish |
| Ukraine | Ukrainian hryvnia | UAH | Ukrainian |
| United Kingdom | Pound sterling | GBP | English |
| Vatican City | Euro | EUR | Italian, Latin |
Currencies come from the same up-to-date data as our world currencies table.
Tips for countries outside the eurozone
- Switzerland (CHF): Some tourist businesses accept euros, but the rate is usually poor and change is often given in Swiss francs. Paying by card in francs is the better option.
- United Kingdom (GBP): Contactless payment is everywhere; in London you can even tap your card to pay for public transport.
- Scandinavia (SEK, NOK, DKK): Cards are so widely used that some places don't accept cash at all. You'll need very little cash.
- Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Romania: Prices may also be shown in euros in tourist areas, but paying in the local currency is usually cheaper. If a card machine offers you a choice of currency, always pick the local one.
- The Balkans (RSD, ALL, BAM, MKD): Cash is more common; keep some local currency for small businesses and markets.
Language and communication tips
- English: Widely spoken in Northern Europe, the Netherlands and the tourist areas of big cities. It may be less common in small towns and parts of Southern and Eastern Europe.
- Learn a few words: Saying "hello", "thank you", "please" and "the bill, please" in the local language makes things easier and is usually warmly received.
- Multilingual countries: In Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, the language depends on the region. In Switzerland, for example, German is common in Zurich and French in Geneva.
- Translation apps: Download your destination's language pack for offline use before you go; translating menus and signs with your camera is very handy.
Frequently asked questions
How many European countries use the euro?
As of 2026, 21 EU members are in the eurozone. Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Montenegro and Kosovo also use the euro, making 27 European countries in total.
How much cash should I take on a multi-country trip in Europe?
Within the eurozone, one currency covers everything. If your route includes a non-euro country such as Switzerland or Czechia, it's usually easier to get that currency from a bank or ATM when you arrive rather than in advance. For the right balance of cards and cash, see Card or cash abroad?
Is the UK in the Schengen area?
No. The United Kingdom is in neither the EU nor the Schengen area; it has its own entry rules and its own currency, the pound sterling.
Manage multi-country trips with BudTrip
In BudTrip you record each expense in the currency you paid. Even on a route that starts in euros and continues in Swiss francs or Czech koruna, every expense stays under the same trip with a separate total for each currency, and the currency converter shows local prices in your own currency instantly.
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Related guides:
