Which Countries In Europe Do Not Use The Euro And What Currency Do They Use?

Which countries in Europe don’t use the euro, and what currencies do they use?

Denmark: 5.9 million people • 42,933 km² • 55.6761° N, 12.5683° E

Where does Denmark sit on Europe’s currency map?

Joining the EU in 1973 didn’t mean Denmark had to ditch its currency. The Danish krone (DKK) has stuck around thanks to a permanent opt-out secured in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty and confirmed by a 1993 referendum. Out of 27 EU members, only 20 use the euro—Denmark’s choice to keep its own money makes it a standout. Honestly, this is the best approach for countries that want stability without giving up control.

Key facts at a glance

How did the krone come to be Denmark’s currency?

Back in 1873, Denmark joined Sweden and Norway to form the Scandinavian Monetary Union, and the krone was born. When that union faded after World War I, Denmark kept the name and made it its own. Fast forward to the 1990s, and the EU was pushing for tighter economic ties. Denmark negotiated two opt-outs—one from the euro and another from common defense. The 1992 referendum rejecting the Maastricht Treaty set the stage, and the 1993 Edinburgh Agreement made it official. By 2026, about 60% of Danes still support the krone, though it’s less about national pride and more about everyday practicality.

Here’s the thing: the krone stays stable because Denmark participates in ERM II, where it keeps a fixed exchange rate with the euro within a ±2.25% band. This setup gives Denmark the best of both worlds—currency stability without fully adopting the euro. It’s worked for decades.European Central Bank

What’s it like to live with the krone when your neighbors use the euro?

Denmark’s krone is pegged to the euro within a tight ±2.25% band under ERM II, a system it’s used since 1999. This keeps Danish businesses steady across borders while letting Copenhagen set its own interest rates. Travelers will find ATMs everywhere dishing out DKK, and card payments work almost everywhere. As of 2026, €1 still buys about 7.45 DKK—a rate that’s barely changed in half a decade. Many locals still use cash for small buys, but MobilePay handles over 90% of in-person transactions.Danmarks Nationalbank

Visiting from outside the EU? You can swap currency at airports, banks, or exchange bureaus, though city centers usually offer better rates. Danish coins come in 50-øre and 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20-krone pieces, while bills range from 50 to 1,000 DKK. Planning a trip? Budget about 120–180 DKK for a typical lunch in Copenhagen, and expect to pay around 400 DKK for a monthly public transit pass.VisitDenmark

Denmark’s euro stance is pure pragmatism: it gets stability from the peg without losing control. Copenhagen sets its own interest rates to fit its economy, not Frankfurt’s. It’s a quiet kind of rebellion—built on trust in Denmark’s ability to run its own show.

Which other EU countries don’t use the euro, and what do they use instead?

• Sweden: Uses the Swedish krona (SEK). Sweden has no legal opt-out but hasn’t met the euro adoption criteria and has held referendums rejecting the euro.Sveriges Riksbank
• Bulgaria: Uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN). Bulgaria plans to adopt the euro but has delayed due to economic and political considerations.Bulgarian National Bank
• Romania: Uses the Romanian leu (RON). Romania has committed to adopting the euro but hasn’t met the necessary economic criteria yet.National Bank of Romania
• Hungary: Uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). Hungary has no immediate plans to adopt the euro due to economic and political factors.Magyar Nemzeti Bank
• Poland: Uses the Polish złoty (PLN). Poland has no set timeline for euro adoption and has emphasized economic sovereignty.National Bank of Poland
• Czechia: Uses the Czech koruna (CZK). Czechia has no plans to adopt the euro in the near future.Czech National Bank
• Croatia: Uses the Croatian kuna (HRK). Croatia adopted the euro on January 1, 2023, so it no longer appears on this list.Croatian National Bank

These countries show just how diverse Europe’s currency landscape really is. Economic pragmatism often wins out over political pressure to unify under one currency.

Why doesn’t Denmark use the euro?

The 1992 Maastricht Treaty required EU members to join the euro, but Denmark negotiated a permanent opt-out. After Danes rejected the treaty in a June 1992 referendum, the Edinburgh Agreement in 1993 made it official. So Denmark isn’t required to join the eurozone at all.

Which country doesn’t use the euro as its currency—Germany, France, Denmark, or Italy?

The EU countries that don’t use the euro are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

Which nation is a member of the European Union but doesn’t use the euro as its currency?

These microstates aren’t EU members, so they’re not part of the euro area. Still, they’ve struck deals to use the euro and can even issue their own euro coins within certain limits.

Which European countries aren’t in the EU?

• Albania*
• Andorra
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bosnia and Herzegovina**
• Georgia
• Iceland

Do all EU countries have to adopt the euro by 2022?

Their accession treaties include binding provisions on the euro, so they’re legally required to adopt it once economic conditions are met.

Which European country has the highest currency?

One Swiss Franc equals about 72.68 Indian Rupees. The CHF’s Latin name, Confoederatio Helvetica Franc, reflects Switzerland’s official Latin name.

Why didn’t Croatia use the euro earlier?

The Croatian National Bank had hoped to adopt the euro within two or three years of joining the EU. But the eurozone’s financial crises and Croatia’s own contracting economy made it tough to meet the convergence criteria.

How did Denmark qualify for Euro 92?

It was a wild ride. Yugoslavia got booted because of the country’s breakup and the wars that followed. That opened the door for Denmark, which went on to beat reunified Germany 2–0 in the final. It was also Germany’s first major tournament since reunification.

Is Denmark part of the EU?

It’s been an EU member for decades but isn’t required to adopt the euro thanks to its opt-out.

When a tourist goes to a bank in a foreign country to exchange money, what rate is used?

A spot exchange rate is quoted for 30, 90, and 180 days into the future.

Why have most European countries become members of the European Union?

These conditions are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria.’ They’re the foundation for joining the EU.

What has no barriers to trade between countries?

It also includes a common external trade policy and allows factors of production to move freely between members. An economic union goes even further with closer integration.

Why isn’t the UK in Schengen?

For years, the UK and Ireland were in the EU but not part of Schengen. The UK voted to leave the EU in 2016 and officially exited on January 31, 2020.

Why is it called Schengen?

That tiny town in far southeastern Luxembourg gave its name to one of Europe’s most famous border-free zones.

Why isn’t Norway in the EU?

The country’s limited underdeveloped areas mean it wouldn’t benefit much from EU funds. Instead, Norway participates in the EEA EFTA, contributing 2.4% of the overall EU programme budget.