EUR/PLN exchange rates

The origins of the common European currency EURO date back to the 1950s – the time of creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, which became the germ of the later European Union. Less than two decades later, in 1970, European countries came up with a plan to create an economic and monetary union. The member countries began to stabilise their currency rates, creating a currency cooperation system that was gradually setting the stage for introducing a common currency – EURO. More concrete work in this respect was conducted by a group of experts appointed by the European Commission in the late 1980s.

In 1992, in Maastricht, Netherlands, the countries signed the Treaty on European Union, which also provided for a common currency, later implemented by the introduction of euro. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, reserved the right not to adopt the new currency.

The name EURO was agreed in 1995, and 4 years later, it was introduced in non-cash transactions in 11 member countries, jointly known as Euroland. EURO in cash form was introduced on 1 January 2002.

Currently, EURO is the official currency in 20 EU member countries, including Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, France, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, and Slovakia. The currency is used by over 337,000,000 people in the Euro zone – not including people from outside the Euroland, who also often use euro, e.g. when travelling or shopping online. The institution that manages the monetary policy in the Euro Zone is the European Central Bank, which was established in 1998 in Frankfurt am Main.

Euro coins were designed by Luc Luycx. The reverse is the same in all countries – it shows the map of Europe. On the averse, each country places its own national symbols.

Euro banknotes were designed by Robert Kalina. The reverse also shows the map of Europe and bridges from different time periods, while the averse contains other architectural elements: windows or gates from time periods that correspond to the bridges on the reverse.