Finland and the euro

Finland at a glance

Surface area: 338 140 km²
Population: 5 276 955 (Eurostat 2007)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1995
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Finnish markka, FIM)

Euro information

Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999.

Fixed conversion rate: €1 = 5.94573 FIM

Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Finland on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only existed as ‘book money’. The dual circulation period – when both the Finnish markka and the euro had legal tender status – ended on 28 February 2002.

Exchange of former national currency: The Suomen Pankki (National Bank of Finland) will continue to exchange markka banknotes and coins until 29 February 2012, although some exceptions apply to old markka coins annulled before the euro changeover.

Markka banknotes are also redeemed by commercial banks (Nordea and Sampo), co-operative banks, saving banks, and Forex Oy.

Documents and publications

• Cash changeover plan (National Bank of Finland, October 2001, also in English and Swedish)

Opinion polls and surveys

• Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)

Downloads

• National sides of Finland’s euro coins
• Finnish commemorative coins

Websites

Euro websites

• ‘Banknotes and coins’ on the National Bank of Finland website (also in English and Swedish)
• Archived websites on the euro

Institutions

• Suomen Pankki – Finlands Bank (National Bank of Finland, also in English)
• Rahoitustarkastus – Finansinspektionen (Finnish Financial Supervision Authority, also in English)
• Rahapaja Oy – Myntverket i Finland (also in English)

Business

• Euro Info Centres Finland
• Keskuskauppakamari – Centralhandelskammaren (Finland Central Chamber of Commerce, also in English)

Consumers

• Suomen Kuluttajaliitto, SK (also in Swedish)