Learn the Currencies of the Benelux Countries
The Benelux is a group of three neighboring countries in western Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. All three share a single currency, the euro, and all three were founding members of the eurozone, switching to euro cash in 2002. Before the euro, each had its own franc or guilder. This lesson covers the currency of all 3 Benelux countries, with each currency code, symbol and the year it came into use.
Study the Currencies
EUR Belgium
Euro
Belgium replaced the Belgian franc with the euro in 2002 as a founding eurozone member.
Fun Facts
- The Belgian franc dated back to 1832, the year after Belgium gained independence.
- Brussels hosts the main institutions of the European Union.
- Belgium was a founding member of the eurozone.
EUR Netherlands
Euro
The Netherlands replaced the guilder with the euro in 2002 as a founding eurozone member.
Fun Facts
- The Dutch guilder had been in use in some form for centuries.
- The guilder's symbol was a florin sign, written as fl.
- The Netherlands was a founding member of the eurozone.
EUR Luxembourg
Euro
Luxembourg replaced the Luxembourg franc with the euro in 2002 as a founding eurozone member.
Fun Facts
- The Luxembourg franc was tied one to one with the Belgian franc.
- Luxembourg is one of the world's biggest financial centres.
- It was a founding member of the eurozone.
Quick Reference
Test Your Knowledge
Can you match each country to its currency?
About Benelux Currencies
Money in the Benelux is simple: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg all use the euro (EUR, symbol €), so you can travel between the three with a single currency in your pocket. All three were founding members of the eurozone and switched to euro notes and coins in 2002, having used the euro for electronic payments since 1999. Before then, each had its own currency: Belgium used the Belgian franc, the Netherlands the guilder, and Luxembourg the Luxembourg franc, which was tied one to one with the Belgian franc. Because the euro is shared, prices, ISO codes and symbols are identical across the region, making shopping and travel across Benelux straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Benelux countries use the euro?
Yes. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg all use the euro (EUR, symbol €). All three were founding members of the eurozone and adopted euro cash in 2002.
What currency did the Benelux countries use before the euro?
Belgium used the Belgian franc, the Netherlands used the guilder, and Luxembourg used the Luxembourg franc. The Luxembourg franc was tied one to one with the Belgian franc.
When did the Benelux switch to the euro?
Euro notes and coins entered circulation across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on 1 January 2002. The euro had already been used for electronic payments since 1999.
Is the currency the same in all three Benelux countries?
Yes. All three Benelux countries share the euro, so the currency, ISO code (EUR) and symbol (€) are identical in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Banknote images via Wikimedia Commons: EUR (Bericht, CC0)