The Euro (EUR) is the official currency of 20 European Union member states, collectively known as the Eurozone. It is the world's second most traded currency and the second largest reserve currency after the US Dollar. It is managed by the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany.

EUR - Euro: Currency Profile, Rate & Facts 2026 | FX Rate Live

FXRATELIVE.IN

Currency Profile EUR Evergreen 2026 FX Rate Live Editorial — March 2026

Euro (EUR)
Currency Profile

Q: Which countries use the Euro?

As of 2026, 20 EU countries use the Euro: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

Q: What is EUR/USD today?

As of March 2026, EUR/USD is approximately 1.0870, meaning 1 Euro buys about 1.09 US Dollars. For the live rate updated every 60 seconds, use the FX Rate Live Currency Converter at fxratelive.in.

Q: What moves the Euro exchange rate?

The Euro is primarily moved by ECB interest rate decisions, Eurozone inflation data (CPI), GDP growth across member states, political risk in major economies like Germany and France, and US Federal Reserve policy which affects EUR/USD directly.

Q: What denominations does the Euro come in?

Euro banknotes come in 7 denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Coins come in 8 denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro, and 2 euros.

Q: Is the Euro stronger than the Dollar?

In 2026, 1 Euro buys approximately 1.09 US Dollars, making the Euro nominally stronger per unit. However, currency strength is about purchasing power and economic fundamentals, not just the exchange rate number. EUR/USD has traded between 0.96 and 1.25 in the past decade.

The official currency of 20 European nations and the second most traded currency in the world. Here is everything you need to know about the Euro — where it came from, how it works, and what moves it.

FX Rate Live Editorial Desk — Currency Profiles Series — Updated March 2026

EUR — Quick Reference

Full Name

Euro

ISO Code

EUR

Symbol

€

Countries

20 Eurozone nations

Central Bank

European Central Bank (ECB)

Introduced

1999 (electronic), 2002 (coins & notes)

Subdivisions

100 cents

Banknotes

€5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500

Global Reserve Share

21.13% (Q2 2025)

Daily FX Volume

31% of global trades

Live Exchange Rates

EUR Exchange Rates Today

Pair	Rate	Trend	Common Use
EUR/USD	1.0870	▲ EUR gaining	Most traded pair globally
EUR/INR	100.14	▼ Rupee weak	India-Europe trade
EUR/GBP	0.8392	— Range bound	UK-EU cross rate
EUR/JPY	161.12	▲ Yen weak	Carry trade favourite
EUR/CHF	0.9590	— Near peg level	Switzerland safe-haven
EUR/AED	3.9919	▲ EUR firm	Gulf-EU commerce

Indicative mid-market rates. Live rates: FX Rate Live Converter →

Overview

What Is the Euro?

The Euro is the official currency of 20 countries in the European Union — a group known as the Eurozone. Its ISO code is EUR and its symbol is €. One Euro divides into 100 cents. It is managed by the European Central Bank (ECB), based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Before the Euro, each European country had its own currency. France had the Franc, Germany had the Deutsche Mark, Italy had the Lira. Every time a business traded across borders, it paid currency conversion costs. The Euro eliminated all of that inside the Eurozone. Today, a company in Madrid pays a supplier in Amsterdam in the same currency, with no conversion fee and no exchange rate risk between them.

The Euro launched as an electronic currency in 1999 and physical coins and banknotes entered circulation on January 1, 2002. It quickly became the world’s second most important currency — used in 31% of all global foreign exchange transactions and holding 21.13% of global central bank reserves. [Source: European Central Bank]

History

How the Euro Was Born

1957

Treaty of Rome. Six European countries form the European Economic Community, planting the first seed of economic integration that would eventually lead to a shared currency.

1979

European Monetary System created. Countries agree to keep their exchange rates within fixed bands — the first real step toward currency coordination.

1992

Maastricht Treaty. EU member states formally agree to create a single currency. Strict criteria set for countries that want to join — low inflation, controlled debt, stable exchange rates.

1999

Euro launches electronically. Eleven countries adopt the Euro for electronic payments and financial markets. Exchange rates between member currencies are permanently locked.

2002

Euro notes and coins enter circulation. 300 million Europeans start using physical Euro banknotes for the first time. National currencies like the Deutsche Mark and French Franc are retired.

2010–12

Eurozone debt crisis. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus require bailouts. The Euro drops sharply against the Dollar. ECB President Draghi promises to do “whatever it takes” to save the currency. [Source: IMF]

2026

EUR/USD at 1.0870. Twenty countries in the Eurozone. Euro remains the world’s second reserve currency with a 21.13% global share.

Which Countries

The 20 Countries That Use the Euro

The Eurozone includes: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

Not all EU countries use the Euro. Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, and Bulgaria are all EU members but have kept their own currencies. The UK had the Pound and left the EU entirely in 2020. A country must meet strict economic targets on inflation, debt, and interest rates before it can join the Eurozone.

The Euro is also used — without being officially in the Eurozone — in Kosovo, Montenegro, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

The ECB’s Main Job

The European Central Bank has one primary mandate: keep Eurozone inflation close to 2% per year. Unlike the US Federal Reserve, the ECB does not have a dual mandate to also maximise employment. Its entire focus is price stability. This is why the ECB sometimes raises rates even when parts of the Eurozone are in recession — as long as overall inflation is above target, rate cuts are off the table. Track ECB decisions on the FX Rate Live Economic Calendar.

Banknotes & Coins

Euro Denominations

€5

Classical era architecture

€10

Romanesque era

€20

Gothic era

€50

Renaissance era

€100

Baroque era

€200

Iron & Glass era

€500

Modern era

1–50c

8 coin denominations

Euro banknote designs show bridges, arches, and windows — architectural styles from European history. Importantly, the buildings are fictional, not real places, to avoid favouring any particular country. Each Eurozone country puts its own national symbol on one side of the coins, while the other side is the same across all nations.

Market Drivers

What Moves the Euro?



ECB Interest Rate Decisions

The biggest driver. ECB rate hikes attract capital into Eurozone bonds and strengthen EUR. Rate cuts weaken it. ECB meets 8 times a year — every meeting is a volatility event.



Eurozone Inflation (CPI)

High inflation above the 2% target keeps the ECB hawkish and supports EUR. Falling inflation signals rate cuts ahead, weakening EUR. Germany’s CPI carries the most weight.



Germany’s Economy

Germany is the Eurozone’s largest economy. German PMI, IFO sentiment, and GDP data move EUR more than any other single country. A German recession = EUR weakness.



Political Risk

Elections in France, Germany, or Italy create EUR volatility. Debt crises in smaller Eurozone members also spook investors. EUR fell sharply during the 2010–12 Greece debt crisis.

EUR/USD: The Most Traded Pair on Earth

EUR/USD accounts for roughly 23% of all daily global foreign exchange trading — more than any other currency pair. When markets are nervous, EUR/USD tends to fall as investors buy US Dollars as a safe haven. When global risk appetite is high and the US economy shows weakness, EUR/USD tends to rise. In March 2026, EUR/USD is at 1.0870 as the Hormuz oil crisis pushed investors briefly into the dollar before EUR recovered. Track EUR/USD live on the FX Rate Live Currency Converter.

→ Live EUR Converter → Intelligence Hub → Economic Calendar → Market Pulse

Frequently Asked Questions

Euro (EUR) — Questions Answered

What is the Euro?

The Euro (EUR, €) is the official currency of 20 European Union member states called the Eurozone. It is the world’s second most traded currency and second largest reserve currency, holding 21.13% of global central bank reserves as of Q2 2025. It is managed by the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt.

Which countries use the Euro?

20 EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Several non-EU territories also use it unofficially including Kosovo, Montenegro, and Monaco.

What is EUR/USD today?

As of March 2026, EUR/USD is approximately 1.0870 — meaning 1 Euro buys about $1.09 US Dollars. For the live rate updated every 60 seconds, use the FX Rate Live Currency Converter.

What moves the Euro exchange rate?

ECB interest rate decisions are the biggest single driver. Eurozone inflation data (especially Germany’s CPI), GDP growth, political events in major Eurozone economies, and US Federal Reserve policy (which affects EUR/USD directly) also move the Euro significantly.

What denominations does the Euro come in?

Euro banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500. Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, €1, €2. All banknotes are identical across countries. Coins have a common side and a country-specific national side.

Is the Euro stronger than the Dollar?

In March 2026, 1 Euro buys approximately $1.09 US Dollars, making the Euro nominally stronger per unit. However, currency strength is about purchasing power and economic fundamentals, not just the exchange rate number. EUR/USD traded below parity (below 1.00) in 2022 during the energy crisis — the first time in 20 years.

Explore More

Other Currency Profiles

Important Disclaimer — FX Rate Live

All exchange rates on this page are indicative mid-market rates from public data APIs, provided for informational and educational purposes only. They may differ from rates offered by banks or money transfer services. FX Rate Live is not a registered financial advisor or currency exchange service. Nothing here constitutes investment advice. Always verify rates with your bank before any transaction. Live rates: FX Rate Live Currency Converter.

Back to Previous Page

Verified by Finance Team

Our team of financial analysts monitors global exchange rates 24/7 to provide you with the most accurate data for INR, SAR, USD, and more. With 5+ years of experience in forex trends.