Italy is a founding member of the European Union and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
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Italy at a glance
Surface area: 301 340 km2
Population: 59 131 287 (Eurostat 2007)
Joined the European Union: Founding member (25 March 1957)
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Italian lira, ITL)
Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999.
Fixed conversion rate: 1 = 1 936.27 ITL
Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Italy 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 Italian lira and the euro had legal tender status ended on 28 February 2002.
Exchange of former national currency: The Banca dItalia (National Central Bank of Italy) will continue to exchange Italian lira banknotes and coins until 29 February 2012.
Opinion polls and surveys
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Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- Banknotes and coins (Bank of Italy website)
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- Banca d’Italia (Bank of Italy, also in English)
- Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze (Ministry of Economy and Finance)
- Istituto Poligrafico Zecca dello Stato (Italian Mint)
Business
- Euro Info Centres Italy
- Associazione Bancaria Italiana (Italian Bankers Association)
Consumers
- Centro Europeo Consumatori Italia (European Consumer Centre Italy)
- Altroconsumo
