ET    ET  EUROOPA ÜHENDUSTE KOMISJON 
Brüssel 16.7.2007 
KOM(2007) 434 lõplik 
  
KOMISJONI TEATIS NÕUKOGULE, EU ROOPA PARLAMENDILE, EUROOPA 
MAJANDUS- JA SOTSIAALKOMITEELE, REGIOONIDE KOMITEELE JA 
EUROOPA KESKPANGALE 
Viies aruanne euroala tulevaseks la ienemiseks tehtavate praktiliste  
ettevalmistuste kohta 
 
ET 2   ET KOMISJONI TEATIS NÕUKOGULE, EU ROOPA PARLAMENDILE, EUROOPA 
MAJANDUS- JA SOTSIAALKOMITEELE, REGIOONIDE KOMITEELE JA 
EUROOPA KESKPANGALE 
Viies aruanne euroala tulevaseks la ienemiseks tehtavate praktiliste  
ettevalmistuste kohta 
1. S ISSEJUHATUS  
Alates euro kasutuselevõtust Sloveenias 1. jaanuaril 2007. aast al kuulub euroalasse kolmteist 
ELi liikmesriiki. Ülejäänud neljateistkümnest liik mesriigist kaksteist on „liikmesriigid, kelle 
suhtes on kehtestatud erand”, kellelt eeldatakse eu ro kasutuselevõtmist niipea, kui vajalikud 
tingimused on täidetud, samas kui Taani ja Ühendkuningriik ei ole kohustatud eurot kasutusele võtma. 
Lisaks Maastrichti lähenemiskriteeriumite täitmisele
1 peavad liikmesriigid euro 
kasutuselevõtuks tegema laiaulatuslikke prakti lisi ettevalmistusi, mis hõlmavad riikide kõiki 
majandussektoreid, avalikku sektorit ning laiemat üldsust. Edukas eurole üleminek Sloveenias 
kinnitab euroala esimese laine riikide kogemust selle kohta, et õigeae gsed ja terviklikud 
praktilised ettevalmistused on otsustavad, et üleminek toimuks sujuvalt ning üldsus tajuks 
seda positiivsena2. 
Käesolevas aruandes hinnatakse euroala tuleva seks laienemiseks tehtavate praktiliste 
ettevalmistuste olukorda3. Aruandes keskendutakse hiljutiste le edusammudele Küprosel ja 
Maltal, sest need riigid ühinevad euroalag a 1. jaanuaril 2008. aasta l pärast nõukogu otsust 
euro kasutuselevõtuks vajalike tingimuste tä itmise kohta. Lisaks pööratakse aruandes erilist 
tähelepanu ettevalmistustele, mis toimuvad Sl ovakkias, kes on seadnud eemärgiks võtta euro 
kasutusele 1. jaanuaril 2009. aastal. 
2. E TTEVALMISTUSTE OLUKORD RIIKIDE JA ÜHENDUSE TASANDIL4 
2.1. Riiklikud strateegiad euro kasutuselevõtuks 
Riikide kavandatud tähtajad annavad hoogu õigeaegseteks ettevalmistusteks euro 
kasutuselevõtuks ning aitavad neid suunata  tingimusel, et riigi suutlikkus täita 
lähenemiskriteeriumid õigeaegselt on piisavalt usaldusväärne. 
                                                 
1 Lähenemisaruannetes uurivad komisjon ja Euroopa Keskpank, kas eri riigid täidavad ametlikke 
tingimusi, mis lubavad neil euro kasutusele võtta. Komisjoni viimane lähenemisaruanne võeti vastu 
16. mail 2007. aastal Küprose (KOM(2007)255) ja Malta (KOM(2007)258) taotlusel. Komisjon 
avaldab järgmise korralise lä henemisaruande 2008. aastal. 
2 Sloveenia eurole ülemineku kohta vt komisjoni 4. mai 2007. aasta teatis „Euro kasutuselevõtmine 
Sloveenias”, KOM(2007)233. 
3 Käesolev dokument on viies kõnealust teemat käsitlev aruanne. Vt 10. novembri 2004. aasta dokument 
KOM(2004)748; 4. novembri 2005. aasta dokument KOM(2005)545; 22. juuni 2006. aasta dokument 
KOM(2006)322; 10. novembri 2006. aasta dokument KOM(2006)671. 
4 Põhineb kuni 2. juulini 2007 kogutud teabel. 
 
ET 3   ET 2006. aastal taganesid mitu riiki (Tšehhi Vaba riik, Eesti, Läti, Leedu, Ungari) euro 
kasutuselevõtu tähtajast, peamiselt raskuste tõttu lähenemiskriteeriumite täitmisel vastavalt esialgselt kavandatule. Bulgaaria, Poola ja Rootsi  ei ole veel ühtegi täht aega esitanud. Rootsis 
on ettevalmistused alates 14. septembri 2003. aasta  rahvahääletuse negatiivsest tulemusest 
tegelikult peatatud. Kokkuvõte praegusest olukorrast  seoses riikide kavandatud tähtaegadega 
on esitatud järgmises tabelis. 
Rumeenia on seadnud tähtajaks 2014. aasta. 
Euro kasutuselevõtu tähtajad Liikmesriigid 
1. jaanuar 2008 Küpros, Malta 
1. jaanuar 2009 Slovakkia 
2014 Rumeenia 
(Uuesti) otsustamisel Bulgaaria, Tš ehhi Vabariik, Eesti, Läti, Leedu, 
Ungari, Poola, Rootsi 
2.2. Ettevalmistused Küprosel 
2.2.1. Üldraamistik Küpros võtab euro kasutusele 1. jaanuari l 2008. aastal vastavalt nn järsu ülemineku („ big 
bang ”) stsenaariumile
5 koos ühekuulise paralleelkäibe ajavahemikuga6. 
Praktilisi ettevalmistusi käsitl evas neljandas aruandes leidis  komisjon, et Küprose riikliku 
üleminekukavaga oli üldiselt hõlmatud enamik euro kasutuselevõtuga seotud praktilisi 
küsimusi, kuigi peeti vajalikuks võtta täiendava id meetmeid, et tagada tarbijausaldus püsiva 
hinnakujunduse vastu ülemineku ajal. Lisaks märg iti, et riiklik üleminekukava ei ole veel 
paljus piisavalt üksikasjalik ning et mitmed küsimused on vaja täpsemalt määratleda. 
Viimase paari kuu jooksul on toimunud edasiminek. Rahandusministeerium võttis keskpanga 
nõusolekul 21. juunil 2007. aastal vastu 2006. aas ta juulis heaks kiidetud riikliku 
üleminekukava ajakohastatud reda ktsiooni. Lisaks ajakohastas keskpank sularaha käsitleva 
üleminekukava, võeti vastu euro kasutuselevõt mist käsitlevad riiklikud õigusaktid ning 
õiglase hinnakujunduse koodeks.  
2.2.2. Rahandussektor ja ettevõtted 
Küprose Keskpank avaldas 2007. aasta mais sularaha käsitleva üleminekukava viimase 
redaktsiooni. Täpsustatud on eelvarustamise7 üksikasjad. Eelvarustamine euromüntide ja 
rahatähtedega algab vastavalt 22. oktoobril  ja 19. novembril 2007 ning lõpeb 2007. aasta 
                                                 
5 Nn järsu ülemineku stsenaariumi kohaselt võetakse asjaomases liikmesriigis eurole üleminekul 
rahatähed ja mündid kasutusele üheaegselt. 
6 Paralleelkäibe ajavahemik on ajav ahemik, mis algab euro rahatähtede ringlusse laskmise päeval (eurole 
ülemineku päev) ning mille jooksul on asjaomases liikmesriigis seaduslikuks maksevahendiks nii 
omavääring kui ka euro. 
7 Eelvarustamisena käsitatakse krediidiasutuste varustamist euro rahatähtede ja müntidega riigi 
keskpanga poolt enne euro sularahana kasutuselevõtmise päeva. Eelvarude edasiandmisena käsitatakse 
jaemüüjate ja muude ettevõtete ning võimalik, et ka laiema üldsuse varustamist euro rahatähtede ja 
müntidega eelvarustatud krediidiasutuste poolt enne euro sularahana kasutuselevõtmise päeva. 
 
ET 4   ET detsembri keskel. Eelvarude edasiandmine jaemüüjatele on kavandatud eelvarustamisega 
samale ajale. Lisaks antakse alates 3. dets embrist 2007 ettevõtete ja  jaemüüjate käsutusse 
40 000 pakendatud mündikomplekti (ühe komple kti väärtus on 172 eurot), mis sisaldavad 
sobiva nimiväärtusega münte sularahatehing uteks esimestel eurole ülemineku päevale 
järgnevatel päevadel (stard ikomplektid). Samast kuupäevas t on üldsusele kättesaadavad 
250 000 minikomplekti, millest igaühe väärtus on 10 Küprose naela. 
Umbes 70% krediidiasutuste sularahaautomaa tidest (kokku umbes 500) seadistatakse eurole 
ülemineku päeva esimese tunni jooksul ümber nii,  et need väljastavad ainult euro rahatähti 
(10- ja 20-euroseid rahatäht i), ülejäänud 30% seadistatakse ümber hiljemalt sama päeva 
keskpäevaks. Eurole ülemineku päevast alates tagastavad jaemüüjad vahetusraha ainult eurodes. 
1. jaanuaril 2008, mis on riigipüha, on kõikide s piirkondades avatud mitu keskse asukohaga 
pangakontorit, et hõlbustada Küpros e naelte vahetamist eurodeks. 
2006. aasta novembris algatas Küprose Keskpa nk kampaania, millega julgustatakse 
kodanikke kulutama ülemääraseid sularahavaru sid või hoiustama need pankades, et 
vähendada 2007. aasta lõpus ringl uses olevaid Küprose naela sularahavarusid. 2007. aasta 
septembrisse on kavandatud intensiivsem sula rahavarude kasutamise reklaamikampaania. 
Küprose Keskpangale ehitati spetsiaalne mündike skus, mida hakatakse kasutama euromüntide 
hoiustamiseks ja ringlusse laskmiseks (pankade  eelvarustamiseks ja müntidega varustamiseks 
ülemineku ajal) ning hiljem omavääringu müntid e kogumiseks, töötlemiseks ja hävitamiseks. 
Keskpank pakub pangandus-, jaemüügi- ja avaliku se ktori sularahakäitlejatele euro sularaha 
turvaelemente käsitlevat koolitust. 
2.2.3. Avalik haldus 
15. märtsil 2007 võttis parlament vastu 2007. aasta euro kasutuselevõtmise seaduse; seaduse 
muudatused võeti vastu 21. juunil 2007. Kõnealus es üldseaduses on muu hulgas sätestatud 
paralleelkäibe ajavahemiku pi kkus, Küprose naela rahatähtede ja müntide kommertspankades 
teenustasuta eurodeks vahetamine, rahasummad e ümberarvutamise ja ümardamise eeskirjad, 
hindade esitamine kahes vääringus ja  euro vaatluskeskuste asutamine. 
Avaliku pakkumismenetluse teel valis Küpros  oma euromüntide verm ijaks Soome rahapaja 
(vt 3. lisa kujunduse kohta). Vermimine alga s pärast nõukogu 10. juul i 2007. aasta otsust 
Küprose suhtes kohaldatava erandi kaotamise kohta. 
2.2.4. Tarbijad ja laiem üldsus 
2007. aasta euro kasutuselevõtmise seaduse kohase lt kehtib ettevõtete ja jaemüüjate kohustus 
esitada hinnad nii Küprose naeltes kui ka eurodes alates 1. septembrist 2007 kuni 
30. septembrini 2008. Komisjoni poolt 2 007. aasta märtsis korraldatud viimase 
Eurobaromeetri uuringu tulemuste kohaselt kard ab väga suur enamik vastajaist Küprosel 
(83%) eurole üleminekuga kaasnevat hi nnatõusu või isegi ebaõiglaseid hindu
8. Komisjoni 
                                                 
8 Flash Eurobarometer 207, Euro kasutuselevõtt uutes liikmesriikides. Kõik eurot käsitlevad 
Eurobaromeetri uuringud on kättesaadavad aadressilt http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/euro_en.htm .  
 
ET 5   ET jaoks 2007. aasta jaanuaris ettevõtete seas tehtud uuringu9 kohaselt teatas peaaegu iga kuues 
ettevõte, et ta kavatseb korri geerida hindu ülespoole. Hotelli- ja  restoranisektoris kavatseb 
seda teha koguni 27% ettevõtetest. 
Selleks et leevendada tarbijate  kartusi hinnatõusu ees ning so odustada õiglast hinnakujundust, 
algatas valitsus 26. juunil 2007 kampaania, millega kutsutakse ettevõtteid ja jaemüüjaid üles 
võtma vastu õiglase hinnakujunduse koodeks10. Kõnealune koodeks kehtib 10. juulist 2007 
kuni 10. juulini 2008. Vastavalt koodeksile kohustuvad ettevõ tted ja jaemüüjad käituma 
eurole üleminekul õiglaselt ning mitte taotle ma sellest kasu. Osalevate ettevõtete loetelu 
avaldatakse ning ettevõtetele an takse luba kasutada oma kaupl uses või ette võttes koodeksi 
logo. Mitmed suurettevõtted ja  äriorganisatsioonid on al gatust avalik ult toetanud. 
Kõikides provintsides alustasid 1. juulil 2007. aastal tegevust euro vaatluskeskused, kuhu 
kuulub kümme liiget, sh piirkonnavolinik, valitsus e, tarbijaorganisatsioonide, ametiühingute 
ja ärisektori esindaja d. Vaatluskeskused, mida abistavad r ohkem kui 100 inspek torit, jälgivad 
euro kasutuselevõttu ning seda, kuidas ettevõtte d järgivad 2007. aasta eu ro kasutuselevõtmise 
seadust ja õiglase hinnakujunduse koodeks it ning teavitavad kodanikke eurost. 
2.2.5. Teavitustegevus  
Alates Küprose ühinemisest ELiga on üldsuse to etus eurole võrreldes algse võrdlemisi suure 
toetusega vähenenud. Seetõttu oli ilmne, et am etiasutused pidid negatiivse suundumuse 
muutmiseks alustama enne euro kasutuselevõt mist üsna jõulist teavituskampaaniat, milles 
selgitatakse eeliseid ning leevendatakse kartus i. Küprose teavituskampaania intensiivse etapi 
rakendamine algas väikese hilinemisega, kuna tekkisid probleemid seoses suhtekorraldusfirma valimiseks korraldatud pakk umismenetlusega ning suhtekorraldaja valiti 
alles 2007. aasta veebruaris. 
Eelnevalt rakendati mitmesugust teavitustegevust,  tehes seda mõnel juhul tihedas koostöös 
Euroopa Komisjoniga. 2006. aasta mais ja nove mbris korraldati oma- ja välismaistele 
sidusrühmadele eurole üleminekut käsi tlev konverents. 2006. aasta oktoobrist kuni 
2007. aasta jaanuarini oli Küprosel väljas Eur oopa Komisjoni euromündi loomist käsitlev 
näitus. Korraldati seminare, sh 2007. aasta esimestel kuudel rahandussektorile ja Küprose 
ajakirjanikele korraldatud seminarid. Loodi eu rot käsitlev riiklik veebisait. Pärast 
suhtekorraldusfirma valimist intensiivistas Küpros massimeedias euro kasutuselevõtust teavitamist, keskendudes eriti väikestele  ja keskmise suurusega ettevõtetele, 
maapiirkondadele ja ohustatud elanikerühmadele, et  leevendada kartusi ebaõiglase hinnatõusu 
ees ning tugevdada tarbijausaldust. 2007. aasta ma i lõpus alustati pikaaj alist telekampaaniat: 
esimeses etapis keskendub kampaania ülemine kule ja euro eelistele. Küprose ametiasutused 
on korraldanud mitmesuguseid meediategevusi.  Viimase Eurobaromeetri tulemused 
kinnitavad, et kõnealused meetmed näivad tu lemusi andvat, kuna viimase kuue kuu jooksul 
on toetus oluliselt kasvanud, kuid ikka gi on täiendav edasiminek vajalik. 
Euroopa Komisjon toetab Küprost keskse  tegevuse kaudu ning publikatsioonide ja 
reklaammaterjalidega. Samuti rahastab komisj on partnerluslepingu raames osaliselt mitme 
teabeametniku tööd, tasuta teabeliini (millega alustati 11. juunil 2007. aastal) ja 2007. aasta 
teisest poolest kuni 2008. aastani toimuvate kamp aaniate meediaeelarvei d. Komisjon varustab 
                                                
 
9 Flash Eurobarometer 200. Vt 8. joonealune märkus. 
10 Vt http://www.euro.cy/euro/euro.n sf/dmlbusinesssector_en/dmlbus inesssector_en?OpenDocument . 
 
ET 6   ET Küprost ka ühiskondlikes hoonetes kasutatavate teisaldatavate stendidega ning teeb koostööd 
Küprose koolidega, et korraldada üleriigiline  võistlus eurost teadlikkuse suurendamiseks. 
Küprose Keskpank kavatseb osaliselt koo stöös Euroopa Keskpangaga korraldada 
laiaulatusliku teavituskampaania , milles käsitletakse konkreetse lt euro rahatähti ja -münte 
ning nende turvaelemente. 
2.2.6. Kokkuvõte 
Kuigi Küpros on teinud euro kasutuselevõtuks tehtavates praktilistes ettevalmistustes 
edusamme, tuleks ettevalmistused kiirenda da. Eriti tuleks tähelepanu pöörata õiglase 
hinnakujunduse koodeksi tõhusale rakendamisele  kogu riigis ning eurot käsitlevale 
teavituskampaaniale. 
2.3. Ettevalmistused Maltal 
2.3.1. Üldraamistik Malta võtab euro kasutusele 1. jaanuaril 2008. aastal vastavalt nn järsu ülemineku 
stsenaariumile koos ühekuulise paralleelkäibe ajavahemikuga. 
Neljandas aruandes leidis komisjon, et Malt a „Teises ajakohastatud üldkavas eurole 
ülemineku kohta Maltal” käsitleti asjaomas eid üleminekuaspekte  üksikasjalikult ja 
terviklikult, kuid mõned küsimused  vajasid täiendavat täpsustamist. Riiklik eurole ülemineku 
komitee (edaspidi „NECC”) avaldas 2007. aasta  veebruaris „Kolmanda ajakohastatud 
üldkava” ja 11. juulil 2007 „Lõpli ku üldkava”, mis mõlemad sisaldavad täiendavaid täpsustusi 
ning parandusi. 
2.3.2. Rahandussektor ja ettevõtted 
Alates 2007. aasta jaanuarist on pangad kohusta tud võtma eurokontodele pangatasudeta vastu 
euro rahatähtedes hoiuseid. Kuna euro sularaha hoiustamisel (euro)konto dele tasu ei võeta, on 
jaemüüjad, kes on juba 2007. aastal valmis võtma sularahamakseid vastu eurodes 
(nt turismisektoris), seaduslikult kohustatud tegema  seda vahetuskursi al usel (või enne selle 
määramist keskse pariteedi kursi alusel) ilma vahetustasudeta. 
Alates 10. juulist 2007, mil nõukogu määras lõpliku vahetuskursi , võtavad krediidiasutused 
vabatahtlikult vahetuskursi alusel ja vahetustasudeta vastu äriklientide poolt Malta liiri kontodele hoiustatavaid euro rahatähti. 
Krediidiasutuste eelvarustamine euro ra hatähtedega algab 2007. aasta septembri 
lõpus/oktoobri alguses ning eelvarusta mine euromüntidega 2007. aasta oktoobri 
lõpus/novembri alguses. Eelvarude edasiandmine ettevõtetele algab 1. detsembril 2007 koos müntide stardikomplektide (väärtusega 131 eurot)  jagamisega väikeettevõtetele, eelkõige 
jaemüüjatele. Laiem üldsus saab 11,65 eurot maksvaid minikomplekte osta alates 10. detsembrist 2007. 
Lisaks vahetavad krediidiasutused alates 1. de tsembrist 2007 Malta liire eurodeks ja vastupidi 
lõpliku vahetuskursi alusel va hetustasudeta. Üldsusele tuletata kse siiski meelde, et euro 
muutub seaduslikuks maksevahe ndiks alles 1. jaanuaril 2008. 
 
ET 7   ET Ligikaudu 60% kõikidest sularahaautomaatid est (kokku umbes 150) väljastavad alates 
kella 0:00-st 1. jaanuaril 2008 väikese nimiväärtu sega euro rahatähti ( 10- ja 20-euroseid), 
ülejäänud sularahaautomaadid seadis tatakse ümber sama päeva jooksul. 
2.3.3. Avalik haldus 
Rahandusminister andis 29. septembril 2006 jõ ustunud 2006. aasta euro kasutuselevõtmise 
seaduse alusel välja 200 7. aasta õigusliku teadaande nr 4 (L egal notice 4) „Hindade esitamine 
kahes vääringus ja hinnakuj undus eurodes” (vt punkt 2.3.4.)11. 
Kuna Maltal puudub riiklik rahapaja, vermib Malta euromündid (vt 3. lisa kujunduse kohta) 
Pariisi rahapajas ( Monnaie de Paris ), mis valiti välja avaliku pakkumismenetluse käigus. 
Vermimine algas pärast nõukogu 10. juuli 2007. aasta otsust Malta suhtes  kohaldatava erandi 
kaotamise kohta. 
2.3.4. Tarbijad ja laiem üldsus 
Hindade esitamine eurodes ja Malta liirides muutus  kohustuslikuks pärast seda, kui nõukogu 
oli 10. juulil 2007 määranud lõpliku vahetu skursi ning on jätkuvalt kohustuslik kuni 
30. juunini 2008. Kooskõlas õigusli ku teadaandega nr 4 „Hindade esitamine kahes vääringus 
ja hinnakujundus eurodes” peavad kõik val itsusasutused, ettevõtted, mittetulundusühingud ja 
muud üksused esitama rahasummad, klientidele pakutavate kaupade või teenuste hinnad või 
väärtused kahes vääringus. Ette võtete abistamiseks ning ta rbijate teavitamiseks avaldas 
NECC „Hindade kahes vääringus esitamise suunised”. 
Tarbijate hirmude leevendamiseks hinnatõus u ees ülemineku ajal ning püsivate hindade 
soodustamiseks algatasid valitsus ja NECC tervikliku meetmetekogumi. 
Esiteks jõustus 2007. aasta jaanuaris alga tus FAIR (õiglase hinnakujunduse kokkulepe 
jaekaubanduses)12. Algatusega FAIR ühinenud ettevõtte d kohustuvad esitama hinnad õigesti 
kahes vääringus ning mitte tõstma kaupade ja teenuste hindu „eurole ülemineku tõttu”13. 
Täitemeetmetega, näiteks trahvide määramine, tagatakse, et ettevõtted täidavad oma 
kohustusi. Algatuses FAIR osalevate ettevõtete lo etelu on avaldatud NECCi veebisaidil; seni 
on algatusega liitunud rohkem kui 5 000 ettevõt et. Neil on lubatud kasutada reklaamis 
algatuse FAIR logo ning nad saavad NECCilt üleminekuks ettevalmistusteks toetust ja koolitust. 
Teiseks asutati 2006. aasta viimases kvartalis eu ro vaatluskeskus, mis koordineerib algatust 
FAIR, jälgib hindade kujunemist ülemineku ajal  ning uurib hindade kahe s vääringus esitamise 
kohustuse ja algatuse FAIR raames võet ud kohustuste väidetavaid rikkumisi. Euro 
vaatluskeskust toetab 70 euroassistenti. 
Kolmandaks teostas ametiühing pärast pakkumismenetluse korraldamist NECCi tellimusel 
hulgaliselt ostumüsteeriumi uuringuid („ mystery shopping ”). Kontrolliti 200 toote ja 40 
teenuse hindu. Tulemusi analüüsiti, et avaldada hinnakujunduse suundumused sektorite lõikes ning konkreetsed näited suurest hinnatõusust ülemineku ajal. 
                                                
 
11 Välja antud 2007. aasta jaan uaris. Kättesaadav aadressil: 
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/lega lnotices/2007/default.asp . 
12 Vt http://www.mfin.gov.mt/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=fair . 
13 Vt 2007. aasta õigusliku teadaande nr 4 artikli 11 lõike 1 punkt d (11. joonealune märkus).  
 
ET 8   ET Lisaks asendatakse riigisisestes õigusaktides  kõnealused rahasummad ning kõik makstavad 
või arvestatavad rahasummad (nt tasud, trahvid) täpse samaväärse summaga eurodes, mis on arvutatud vahetuskursse ja ümardamiseeskirju kohaldades
14. Rahasummade ümardamist 
eurodes käepäraste summade saamiseks kasutata kse ainult erandjuhul ja tarbija kasuks, olles 
sellega erasektorile eeskujuks. 
2.3.5. Teavitustegevus 
Võttes arvesse esialgset suhtelis elt madalat toetust eurole Ma ltal, alustas NECC 2006. aasta 
sügisel erakordselt terviklikku ja intensiivset ülemineku ettevalmistustest teavitamise kampaaniat. Teavituskampaania esimeses etap is (kuni 2007. aasta maini) keskenduti euro 
põhisõnumite ja eelistega seonduva  teadlikkuse suurendamisele laiema üldsuse hulgas ning 
konkreetsetes tarbijasektorites, ka sutades selleks teab eliini („154”), igap äevaseid tele- ja 
raadioklippe, eurot käsitlevat infolehte, iganädalasi reklaame üleriigilistes ajalehtedes, vastavasisulisi artikleid ajakirjades, konvere ntse ja seminare. Teises etapis veelgi 
intensiivsemaks muutuva kampaania eesmärk  on jõuda kõikide ühiskonnarühmadeni ning 
seepärast kasutatakse paljusid eri kanaleid ni ng spetsiaalselt sell eks loodud vahendeid (nt 
koostati ohustatud isikute ja nende juhenda jateni jõudmiseks ning nende harimiseks 
audiovisuaalseid ja trükimaterjale). Massi meedia kampaaniat toetati eurokalendrite 
jagamisega kõikidele leibkondadele ja teabe liini („154”) avamisega. Tõhustatud massimeedia 
kampaania hõlmab taas igapäevaseid tele- ja ra adioklippe, laiemale üldsusele mõeldud euro 
ajalehte, iganädalasi reklaame kõikides üleriig ilistes ajalehtedes, vastavasisulisi artikleid 
ajakirjades, konverentse ja se minare. Äriringkondade puhul pöörat i erilist tähelepanu õiglase 
hinnakujunduse kokkuleppele jaekaubanduses (FAI R). Kõnealused tegevused on kahtlemata 
vilja kandnud, sest viimase Kiireurobaromeetri  (Flash Eurobarometer) tulemused näitavad 
euro toetuse märkimisväärset paranemi st ja tunnetatud t eavitatuse kasvu. 
Euroopa Komisjon rahastas partnerlusleping u raames osaliselt trükiste avaldamist, 
meediakampaaniat ja teabeametnike tööd. Kauba ndusmessi ajal (27. juunist kuni 8. juulini 
2007) ringles Maltal Euroopa Komisjoni näitus „Euro – meie raha”. 2007. aasta juunis sõlmiti 
uus partnerlusleping, mis käsitleb teabeametn ike jätkuvat kasutamist ja ulatuslikku 
meediakampaaniat teises etapis (2007. aasta juunist kuni 15. veebruarini 2008). 
2.3.6. Kokkuvõte 
Malta praktilised ettevalmistused euro kasu tuselevõtuks on kulgenud väga hästi. Riigi 
meetmed eurost teavitamisel on olnud erakords elt terviklikud ja kvaliteetsed. Tõhusaks ja 
sujuvaks eurole üleminekuks peaks Malt a jätkama ettevalmistusi samas vaimus. 
2.4. Ettevalmistused Slovakkias 
2.4.1. Üldraamistik Slovakkia kavatseb euro kasutusele võtta 1. jaanuaril 2009 vastavalt nn järsu ülemineku 
stsenaariumile koos 16-päevase paralleelkäibe ajavahemikuga. 6. juulil 2005 võttis Slovakkia 
                                                
 
14 Vt nõukogu 17. juuni 1997. aasta määruse (EÜ) nr 1103/97 teatavate euro kasutuselevõtuga seotud 
sätete kohta, (EÜT L 162, 19.6.1997, lk 1, EL T eriväljaanne 10/001, lk 81), mida on muudetud 
nõukogu 27. novembri 2000. aasta määrusega 2595/2000, millega muudetakse määrust (EÜ) nr 1103/97 
teatavate euro kasutuselevõtuga seotud sätete kohta (EÜT L 300, 29.11.2000, lk 1, ELT 
eriväljaanne 10/001, lk 261) artiklid 4 ja 5. 
 
ET 9   ET vastu tervikliku riikliku ülemin ekukava. Sellest ajast alates  on ettevalmistuste hoog raugenud, 
peamiselt 2006. aasta juunis to imunud parlamendivalimiste tõ ttu. 21. märtsil 2007 kiitis 
valitsus heaks ajakohastatud riikliku ülemine kukava, mis hõlmab muu hulgas euro sularahaga 
eelvarustamist ja eelvarude edasiandmist, hind ade esitamist kahes vääringus ning mitmeid 
tarbijakaitsega seotud algatusi. 
2.4.2. Rahandussektor ja ettevõtted 
Euromüntide ja rahatähtedega eelvarustamist kavatsetakse alustada  vastavalt 2008. aasta 
septembris ja novembri keskel. Eelvarude jaemüügisektorile edasiandmine on kavandatud 
2008. aasta novembrisse ja detsembrisse. 2008. aa sta märtsi lõpuks peavad pangad Slovakkia 
Riigipangale teatama, kui palju euro rahatä hti ja -münte nimiväärtuste kaupa on tarvis 
eelvarustamiseks ja 2009. aasta esimeseks kaheks  nädalaks. Kava kohase lt väljastavad alates 
1. jaanuarist 2009 kõik sularahaautomaadid ainu lt eurosid ja jaemüüjad annavad vahetusraha 
tagasi ainult eurodes. Eelvarude edasiandmist la iemale üldsusele enne eurole ülemineku päeva 
ei ole praegu ette nähtud, sest olulisel osal rahvastikust juba on teatav summa euro sularaha. 
Slovakkia Riigipank jätkab omavääringu müntide tasuta ümbervahetamist viie aasta jooksul 
alates eurole ülemineku päevas t ning omavääringu rahatähti va hetatakse ümber ajapiiranguta. 
Kommertspangad vahetavad kroo ni münte ja rahatähti eur ode vastu tasu ta vastavalt 
2009. aasta juuni ja detsembri lõpuni. 
2.4.3. Avalik haldus  
Eurole ülemineku riiklik koordineerimiskomit ee on kõrgeim juht- ja koordineerimisorgan 
eurole ülemineku ettevalmistamisel Slovakkias. Komiteed juhatab rahan dusminister (kes on 
ülemineku riiklik koordinaator) ja teda abistab Slovakkia Panga president. 2005. aasta 
detsembris nimetati ettevalmistuste intensiiv istamiseks ametisse valitsuse täievoliline 
esindaja. 
Slovakkia euromüntide liikmesriiki tähistava külje lõplik kujundus kiideti heaks 2007. aasta 
aprillis (vt 3. lisa kujunduse kohta). 2007. aasta juunis sõlmiti Slovaki Vabariigi, euroala 
liikmesriikide ja Euroopa Komisjoni vaheline vastastikuse mõistmise memorandum, milles käsitletakse ettevalmistuste alustamist enne euromüntide vermimise algust. 
Slovakkia on määranud pädevad asutused euro  kaitsmiseks võltsimise eest. Eelkõige on 
Slovakkia loonud siseministeeriumi raames riik liku keskasutuse ning riikliku analüüsikeskuse 
(rahatähed) ja riikliku müntide analüüsikeskus e, mis on mõlemad Slovakkia Riigipanga osad. 
Slovakkia osaleb ka asjaomaste komiteede korrapä rastel koosolekutel ja  Periklese programmi 
raames toimuvatel koolitustel.  
2.4.4. Tarbijad ja laiem üldsus  
Hindade üheaegne esitamine nii Slovakkia kr oonides kui ka eurodes muutub kohustuslikuks 
hiljemalt üks kuu pärast lõpliku vahetuskursi sätestamist. Kõnealune kohustus kehtib 12 kuud 
pärast euro kasutuselevõtmist. Eurole ülemineku riiklik koordinaator soovitab 
jaemüügisektoril võtta endale avalik kohustus säilitada püsivad hinnad ning mitte tõsta 
jaemüügihindu eurole ülemineku tõttu. Ärir ingkonnad koostasid ülemineku ajal õiglase 
käitumise eetikakoodeksi,
15 mida toetab vabatahtlikult rohkem kui 70 enamjaolt suurt 
                                                 
15 Vt http://www.euro.gov.sk/index.php?ID=1434. 
 
ET 10   ET äriühingut. Kava kohaselt hakkavad eetikakoode ksit järgima ka kohalikud omavalitsused. 
Lisaks ümardatakse riigile makstavad summad (lõivud, maksud jne) allapoole, samas kui riigi 
poolt kodanikele makstavad summad ümardatakse ülespoole. 
Slovaki Vabariigi Statistikaamet ja  Slovakkia Riigipa nk kavatsevad koos 
tarbijaorganisatsioonidega jä lgida hinnakujundust, kasutade s selleks esmatarbekaupade 
piiratud ostukorvi. Tarbij aid teavitatakse tulemustest korrapäraselt. 
2.4.5. Teavitustegevus 
Rahandusministeerium ja Slovakkia Riigipank koostasid euro kasutuselevõtust teavitamise 
strateegia, mis moodustab ajakohastatud r iikliku üleminekukava lahutamatu osa. 
Teavituskampaania on suunatud laiemale ül dsusele ja mitmele konkreetsele elanikkonna 
rühmale, sh rahvusvähemustele ja ohustatud elanikerühmadele. 2007. aasta esimesel poolel 
korraldasid Slovakkia Riigipank ja valitsusasutused konkreetse id tegevusi väikeste ja 
keskmise suurusega ettevõtete teavitamiseks euro eelistest. Euroopa Komisjon ja Slovakkia 
ametiasutused valmistuvad partnerluslepingu sõlmimiseks 2007. aasta sügisel. 
2.4.6. Kokkuvõte 
Ajakohastatud riiklik üleminekukava on üsna tervik lik, kuid ei ole mõnes osas siiski piisavalt 
üksikasjalik ning mitmeid olulisi küsimusi on vaja täpsemalt määratleda (nt eelvarustamise ja 
eelvarude edasiandmise üksikasjad, kr ooni sularaharinglusest eemaldamine, 
teavitamisstrateegia üksikasjad). Tuleks ette nä ha stardikomplektid laiemale üldsusele, et 
kodanikel oleks piisav summa euromünte arve ldamiseks kohe eurole ülemineku päevast 
alates, mis kiirendaks sularaha ümbervah etamist ning võimaldaks jaemüüjatel anda 
vahetusraha tagasi ainult eurodes. Tuleks võtta täiendavaid meetmeid, et suurendada 
tarbijausaldust püsiva hinnakujund use vastu ülemineku ajal, näiteks tarbijate ja jaemüüjate 
vahel kokku lepitud õiglase hinnakujunduse tervik liku strateegia rakendamine. Kõnealustes 
valdkondades peaks Slovakkia kindla sti ettevalmistusi kiirendama. 
2.5. Ettevalmistused teistes liikmesriikides 
Tšehhi Vabariik annab head eeskuju eurole ülemineku õigeaegsete ettevalmistuste osas 
olukorras, kus tähtaega ei ole määratud. Valitsus  võttis 11. aprillil 2007 vastu riikliku üldise 
üleminekukava. Riik valib nn järsu ülemineku st senaariumi koos kahenädalase paralleelkäibe 
ajavahemikuga. Riiklik üleminekukava hõlma b muu hulgas eelvarustamist ja eelvarude 
edasiandmist (mis algavad vastavalt kolm kuud ja kuu enne eurole ülemineku päeva), omavääringus rahatähtede ja müntide vahetamist , hindade esitamist kahes vääringus, õiglase 
hinnakujunduse kokkulepet jaemüüjatega ning selles visandatakse teavitam isstrateegia. Välja 
on antud infoleht eurot käsitleva üldteabega. 
Eesti valitsus kiitis 31. oktoobril 2006 heaks ri ikliku üleminekukava viienda versiooni, mis 
vastab suures osas eelmisele versioonile. Konkr eetsest tähtpäevast loobumise tõttu hoidutakse 
täpsete kuupäevade nimetamisest ja osutatakse  selle asemel eurole ülemineku päevale. 
Leedus võttis valitsus 25. aprillil 2007 vastu ajakohastatud riikliku üleminekukava ja uue 
teavitamisstrateegia. Uue versiooniga nähaks e muu hulgas ette hindade esitamine kahes 
vääringus pikema ajavahemiku jooksul (120 päev a enne ja pärast eurole ülemineku päeva) 
ning kommertspankade eelvarustamise vara sem algus (hiljemalt enne 1. detsembrit). 
 
ET 11   ET Rumeenia määras eurole ülemineku tähtajaks 2014. aasta 
Muudes liikmesriikides ei ol e alates eelmisest aruandes t märkimisväärseid arenguid 
toimunud.  
1. ja 2. lisas esitatakse eurole ülemineku asja kohaste tunnuste loetelu ja ülevaade praktiliste 
ettevalmistuste olukorrast riikide tasandil. 
3. A VALIK ARVAMUS HILJUTI ÜHINENUD LIIKMESRIIKIDES  
5. lisas esitatakse ülevaade avaliku arvamu se kohta hiljuti ühinenud liikmesriikides. 
 
ET 12   ET ANNEX  1 
List of relevant changeover characteristics 
The table below provides an overview of certain relevant changeover characteristics in each 
Member State concerned. It is solely based on officially approved and publicly available 
information and does therefore not reflect prepar ations which are still under way. It should be 
noted that the state and degree of progress of pr eparations should be asse ssed in the context of 
the target date, as preparations tend to  speed up as the changeover approaches.  
X: Officially approved/ established and published 
(in particular in the na tional changeover plan) 
 
 BG CZ EE CY LV LT HU MT PL RO SK SE 
Changeover plan   
National target date    X    X  X X  
National Changeover Plan  X X X X X  X   X  
National Changeover Committee   X X X X X  X   X  
Cash Changeover details  
Type of scenario   X X X X X X  X   X  
Length of dual circulation period  X X X X X X X   X  
Exchange at commercial banks after 
dual circulation period  X X X X X X X   X  
Exchange at central bank after dual 
circulation period  X X X X X  X   X  
Frontloading of financial institutions   X X X X  X   X  
Sub-frontloading of retailers    X X X X  X   X  
Sub-frontloading of the general 
public   X16 X     X      
Deferred debiting17    X   X   X      
Campaign for early cash withdrawal   X X  X  X     
Arrangements for extended bank 
opening hours around €-day    X     X      
ATMs dispensing euro only as from 
€-day   X X X X  X   X  
Denominations of notes in ATMs 
specified   X  X     X      
Transport and storage for euro cash   X X    X     
Transport and storage for legacy 
cash   X X X   X     
Change only given in euro by 
retailers as from €-day   X X  X  X   X  
Coin starter kits for retailers    X    X     
Coins mini-kits for general public    X    X     
Design of national side of the euro 
coins   X X  X  X   X  
Supply arrangements for euro coins   X X    X     
                                                 
16 Exchange at banks at the conversion rate without service fees. 
17 I.e. debiting of frontloaded euro cash at a date later than the date of delivery of the frontloaded cash. 
 
ET 13   ET  BG CZ EE CY LV LT HU MT PL RO SK SE 
Further changeover details   
Necessary adaptations of national 
law identified   X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of prices before €-day  X X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of prices after €-day  X X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of utility bills   X X    X   X  
Dual display of civil servants’ wages    X    X     
Voluntary dual display of prices   X   X  X   X  
Agreements on price stability or fair 
pricing     X X X  X   X  
Price monitoring projects   X X X X  X   X  
Training for cash handlers   X X X   X   X  
Accounting adaptations    X X X   X   X  
Share capital conversion   X X    X   X  
Rounding rules in legislation   X X    X   X  
Evaluation of the costs involved for 
the public sector              
Twinning agreement     X  X X X X  X  
Communication activities  
Communication strategy    X X X X  X   X  
Partnership agreement   X X  X  X     
 
ET 14   ET ANNEX  2  
State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption   The preliminary target date (1 January 2010) has been 
withdrawn by the government on 25 October 2006. No 
new date has been officially set for the time being. 
National co-ordinating institution  On 23 November 2005, the Depu ty Minister of Finance 
was appointed as the National Co-ordinator of Euro 
Adoption. The National Co-ordination Group was 
established and held its first meeting on 20 February 
2006. Two other meetings were organised during 2006 
and one in February 2007. Six Working Groups were 
established for particular areas of preparatory activity for 
the euro.  
On 28 March 2007, a new National Co-ordinator for 
Euro Adoption was appointed by the Czech government. 
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  The Czech Republic’s Euro Accession Strategy was 
approved by the Government in October 2003:  
http://www.cnb.cz/euro_index.php.  
The Institutional Arrangements for the Introduction of 
the Euro in the Czech Republic were adopted by the 
Government on 23 November 2005. 
The first National Changeover Plan was approved by the 
Czech government on 11 April 2007:  
http://www.mfcr.cz/cps/rd e/xbcr/mfcr/Narodni_plan_ver
ze_10-FV_pdf.pdf 
Changeover details   
Type of scenario  "Big bang". 
On 30 June 2006, the National Co-ordination Group 
adopted a recommendation to the government 
concerning the changeover scenario, suggesting that it 
opt for the "big bang" scenario. The recommendation was approved by the govern ment on 25 October 2006. 
Dual circulation period  The length of this period is intended to be 2 full calendar 
weeks as from €-day. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins  The Czech National Bank, commercial banks and other 
selected entities will exchange cash for at least 6 months 
after€-day. After the 6 months period, the legacy 
currency will be only exchangeable at the Czech 
National Bank. The length of the banknote exchange 
period has still to be decided; coins will be exchangeable 
for a period of 5 years. 
 
ET 15   ET  Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading  Frontloading of banks will start 3 months ahead of €-day 
and sub-frontloading of the non-financial sector will start 
one month ahead. 
ATMs issuing euro only   
Change in euro only   
Dual display of prices  Dual display of prices will be introduced within one 
month after the fixing of the conversion rate and will continue for 12 months after the changeover date. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)  A voluntary commitment of retailers (fair-pricing 
agreement) is planned. In addition, a 'memorandum of 
understanding', to be signed by the retail and services 
sector and the consumer pr otection associations, is 
envisaged. These measures are planned to be 
implemented no later than one  month after the fixing of 
the conversion rate. 
Adaptation of national 
law  The necessary adaptations of national law for the 
introduction of the euro are being analysed in the 
framework of the Working Group for Legislation of the 
National Co-ordination Group. A special group will be 
constituted in order to prepare the General Act on the Euro Introduction in the Czech Republic. 
Euro banknotes and coins   
Design of the national side 
  Competition under consideration. 
Nr of different coin 
designs   
Coin supplier  Not decided yet. 
The current coin supplier, the Czech Mint, is an 
independent division of Jablonex Group a.s.; the Czech 
Mint is connected with the National Bank by business 
contracts based on tender procedures. 
Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins  230 million banknotes and 950 million coins. 
Communication activities   
Communication 
strategy  Under preparation within th e framework of the Working 
Group for Communication.  
 
ET 16   ET  Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Government/Ministry 
of Finance; 
Central Bank  Governmental EU info rmation department: 
http://www.euroskop.cz/euro 
Ministry of Finance: 
http:// www.mfcr.cz/euro 
Czech National Bank: 
http://www.cnb.cz/cz/mezi narodni_vzta hy/euro/ 
Ministry of Industry and Trade: 
http://www.mpo.cz/cz/eu-a-vni trni-trh/euro-pristoupeni-
cr-k-eurozone/default.html 
Partnership agreement   
Other issues   
ERM II entry   
Twinning agreement  Project with the National Bank of Belgium, Czech 
Ministry of Finance and the Czech National Bank, to be 
approved by the EC.  
 
ET 17   ET State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Estonia Cyprus 
Changeover plan   
National target date for euro 
adoption  Estonia targets euro area membership as soon as 
possible (2011 being the earliest possible envisaged 
date according to current inflation forecasts). 1 January 2008 
National co-ordinating 
institution The National Changeover Committee, chaired by 
the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, 
was set up on 27 January 2005. Joint co-ordination by the Minister of Finance and the 
Central bank of Cyprus, established on 29 December 
2004. 
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  The first draft of the euro adoption plan was 
approved by the government on 1 September 2005: 
http://www.fin.ee/index.php?id=13324 . 
The fifth version of Estonia's National Changeover 
Plan was approved by the government on 31 
October 2006: 
http://euro.eesti.ee/EU/Prod/Euroveeb/Main_Page/l
eft_menu_content4748/Changeover_to_the_euro_in
_Estonia/europlaan_en.jsp  The National Changeover Plan was approved by the 
National Advisory Committee on 29 March 2006 and by 
the Council of Ministers on 13 July 2006. An updated 
version was approved by the Ministry of Finance, with 
the consent of the Central Bank of Cyprus, on 21 June 
2007. Part of the National Changeover Plan is the Cash 
Changeover Plan, which was published by the Central 
Bank of Cyprus as a separate  document. Both plans are 
published on the national euro website ( www.euro.cy ). 
The Cash Changeover plan is also published on the 
website of the Central Bank of Cyprus 
(http://www.centralbank.gov. cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=476
4). 
 
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang". 
 "Big bang".  
Dual circulation period  Two weeks. 1-31 January 2008. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Banknotes and coins: comme rcial banks at least 
6 months after €-day free of charge, some branches 
12 months. Central Bank indefinitely, free of 
charge. 'The exchange of national banknotes and coins is 
governed by the 'umbrella law' ('Adoption of the Euro 
Law 2007'). The Law provides for the exchange of 
banknotes and coins by the Central Bank for 10 years 
and 2 years, respectively. Commercial banks will 
exchange national banknotes and coins for euro, free of 
charge, at least for th e amount of CYP 1000 for 
banknotes and CYP 50 for coins per transaction, for a 
period of 6 months after €-day. There will be no limits or 
charges for deposits at commercial banks of national 
banknotes and coins during the 6-months period.  
Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins Campaign for collection of coins before €-day 
planned; credit institutions are recommended to 
launch early cash de posit campaigns. A campaign to encourage citizens to use hoarded cash or 
to deposit it with banks before the introduction of the 
euro has been launched in November 2006 and will be 
intensified in September 2007. 
 
ET 18   ET  Estonia Cyprus 
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading Frontloading 2 months before €-day; sub-
frontloading by credit institutions to major clients 1 
month before €-day (precondition: no distribution to 
general public before €-day). 
Banks will offer to change kroons into euro 
banknotes at the conversion rate and without a 
service fee at least one month prior to €-day. Frontloading and sub-frontloading of banknotes will start 
on 19 November 2007, and frontloading and sub-
frontloading of coins on 22 October 2007. 
The frontloading of coins will be carried out from a Coin 
Centre.  
Starter-kits will be available at banks both to businesses 
and the general public as from 3 December 2007. 
ATMs issuing euro only  All ATMs will dispense euro only within 48h as of 
€-day. Commercial banks will dispense only small 
denomination euro banknotes (10- and 20-euro 
banknotes) from ATMs as from €-day. During the first hour of 1 January 2008, around 70% of each banks' 
ATMs, which includes all machines operating at central 
locations, will dispense  only euro banknotes. The 
remaining ATMs will be converted to dispensing only 
euro banknotes at the latest by noon on the same day. 
Change in euro only In general, change will be given in euro, but the 
option of giving change in kroon remains for the 
dual circulation period. The retail sector will be sub -frontloaded with euro coins 
so as to give change in  euro only as from €-day. 
Dual display of prices Compulsory: 6 months before and after €-day. A ccording to the 'Adoption of the Euro 2007 law', the 
dual display of prices will be mandatory from 1 
September 2007 until 30 September 2008. 
Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. 
agreements with retailers) Monitoring of the prices of certain frequently 
consumed goods and services  under the supervision 
of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and 
Communications. 
Leaflets containing information on the euro were 
made available to th e public in summer 2006. The Ministry of Finance is implementing an action plan 
for enhancing consumer c onfidence. The measures 
undertaken include mandatory dual display of prices, the 
establishment of euro observa tories and the introduction 
of the Fair Pricing Code. 
Adaptation of national law Draft Act on the Introduction of the Euro ('umbrella 
law') and draft amendments to the Business Code 
are in the final stage of inter-ministerial 
consultation.  The 'Adoption of the Euro 2007 law' for the introduction 
of the euro was adopted by Parliament on 15 March 
2007. Amendments to this la w were adopted on 21 June 
2007. 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national side Design selected and published in December 2004. The gove rnment of Cyprus approved the designs for the 
national sides of the euro coins on 22 June 2006. The 
designs were unveiled on 11 October 2006 
Nr of different coin designs One design. Three designs. 
Coin supplier  Coins will be minted by the Finnish Mint which was 
selected through a tender procedure. 
Estimation on the need for 
banknotes and coins 150-200 million coins. 79 million banknotes (value €1730m), 395 million coins 
(value € 100.26m). 
 
ET 19   ET  Estonia Cyprus 
Communication activities    
Communication strategy Endorsed by the National Changeover Committee 
on 21 June 2005 and updated on 18 May 2006. A Comprehensive Strategic Communication Plan for the 
Adoption of the Euro in the Republic of Cyprus was 
approved by the Council of Ministers on 5 April 2006. In 
addition, the Central Bank of Cyprus prepared its own 
euro information campaign plan. Both plans are 
published on the national euro website ( www.euro.cy ). 
The Central Bank’s euro information campaign plan is 
also published on the Bank’s website 
(http://www.centralbank.gov. cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=442
5). 
Realisation of the planned communication activities is 
handled by a PR/Advertising agency in close co-
operation with the Ministry of Finance and the Central 
Bank of Cyprus, especially for issues relating to 
consumer confidence bui lding measures and cash 
changeover matters. 
According to the communication campaign plans, the 
campaign will be intensified immediately after the 
abrogation of the derogation, and all events will be 
announced on the national euro website and the Central 
Bank’s website.  
Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation 
date: Government/Ministry 
of Finance; Central Bank www.euro.eesti.ee
, launched in January 2006. www.euro.cy , activated on 31 May 2006 as part of the 
communication campaign's official kick-off event. Other 
government websites provide links to the changeover 
website. The Central Bank's website 
(www.centralbank.gov.cy) also provides information and 
links regarding the changeover.  
On 11 June 2007, a free telephone line has been 
launched.  
Partnership agreement Signed 8 November 2005. Signed on 5 May 2006. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry 28 June 2004 2 May 2005 
Twinning agreement  Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information 
strategy (finalised); between GR – CY: technical issues 
related to the changeover. 
 
 
ET 20   ET State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Latvia Lithuania 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption  The specific target date has not been set. The specific target date has not been set. According to 
the government, Lithuania will aim to join the euro area 
as soon as possible and the more favourable period for 
Lithuania to join the euro area starts from 2010.  
National co-ordinating institution The Steering Committee for the preparation and co-
ordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 
July 2005. Commission for the Co-ordination of the Adoption of the 
Euro in Lithuania, established on 30 May 2005. 
(Approved) National Changeover Plan  The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia 
approved the Action Plan for Implementation of the 
Single European Currency on 1 November 2005, and the 
first draft of Latvia's National Euro Changeover Plan on 
28 February 2006 (Government  Order No 148, 6 March 
2006). The second version of the National Changeover Plan was 
approved by the government on 25 April 2007 and 
published:  
http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter 3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id
=296518&p_query=&p_tr2= (Translation is under 
preparation and will be posted on www.euro.lt)  
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang". 
 "Big bang". 
Dual circulation period  One month. 15 days. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Commercial banks, currency exchange offices and post 
offices for 6 months after €-day free of charge; the Bank 
of Latvia will exchange wit hout time limit free of charge.Commercial banks: free of charge for 60 days after €-
day. Central bank: free of ch arge for an unlimited period.
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins Not envisaged due to the high nominal value of coins in 
Latvia and their intensive us e in day-to-day payments. Consumers will be encouraged to deposit cash with 
banks as early as possible. 
Frontloading and sub-frontloading Frontloading to banks starts one month before €-day 
(1 December), sub-frontloading two weeks before €-day 
(15 December) - (precondition: euro banknotes and coins 
may not be publicly circulated before €-day). Frontloading of euro banknotes to commercial banks one 
month before €-day at the latest and of euro coins three 
months before €-day at the latest. Sub-frontloading of 
euro banknotes and coins to retailers during the last 
month before €-day. 
ATMs issuing euro only  As from € day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes only.  As from €-day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes. 
Change in euro only After the end of the dual circulation period.  Recommendation to give change in euro only. 
 
ET 21   ET  Latvia Lithuania 
Dual display of prices Compulsory three months from before until one year 
after €-day. Compulsory: 120 calendar days before €-day until 120 
days after €-day; voluntary: recommendation to use dual 
display as early as possible after the fixing of the 
conversion rate. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers) Monitoring of price developments in the retail trade, 
verification of the accuracy of price displays and 'fair 
trader' campaign envisaged. Business organisations will be  encouraged to adopt a 
Code of Good Business Practice (on correct conversion, 
no price increases etc.); enterprises committing 
themselves will be authorised  to use the special logo of 
the Code. 
Adaptation of national law 'Umbrella law' on basic provisions for the euro 
changeover in Latvia is currently being prepared. All 
ministries are involved in re viewing national legislation 
to identify the necessary amendments and new 
legislation required. A Law on the Adoption of the Euro has been drafted 
(rules on conversion and excha nge of the litas to the 
euro, withdrawal of litas fro m circulation, publication of 
the images of notes and coins, redenomination of 
securities, dual display of prices etc.). The law will be 
adopted once the decision to lift the derogation has been 
taken.  
All existing legal acts that need to be adapted with a 
view to the euro were identified by December 2005.  
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side 
 In process. 
 Approved. 
Nr of different coin 
designs Four designs. Three designs. 
Coin supplier Coins will be minted abroad followi ng a call for tender. Lithuanian Mint. 
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 87 million banknotes and 300 million coins. Estimation of 118 million banknotes and 290 million 
coins has been made on the condition that the euro will 
be introduced on 1 January 2007. 
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy 'Communication strategy for the euro changeover in 
Latvia' approved by the Steering Committee of Latvia's 
euro implementation proj ect on 12 April 2006. The 'Public information and communication strategy on 
the adoption of the euro of Lithuania' was approved by 
the government on 29 September 2005. The second 
version was approved by the government on 25 April 
2007 and published:  
http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter 3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id
=296518&p_query=&p_tr2= . ( Translation is under 
preparation and will be posted on www.euro.lt)  
 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Ministry of 
Finance/Government; 
Central Bank Planned euro changeover website: www.eiro.lv . A 
working group has been set up to develop the concept of 
this site. 
Updated information on the euro changeover process is 
available on the website of the Ministry of Finance: 
http://www.fm.gov.lv/page.php?id=105. A national website ( www.euro.lt ) was launched in May 
2007. 
Websites of the Bank of Lithuania ( www.lb.lt ) and of the 
Ministry of Finance ( www.finmin.lt ).  
 
ET 22   ET  Latvia Lithuania 
Partnership agreement  Signed on 8 November 2005. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry 2 May 2005 28 June 2004 
Twinning agreement  Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information 
strategy;  
between BE – LT on tax-related questions;  
between BE – LT on departme ntal management related 
to the changeover.  
 
ET 23   ET State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Hungary Malta 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption  The Convergence Programme of 1 December 2006 aims 
at meeting the Maastricht cr iteria in 2009. A new target 
date for the adoption of the euro has not been specified. 1 January 2008 
National co-ordinating 
institution Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance 
and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary). Two Committees appointed on 13 June 2005: a Steering 
Committee and a National Euro Changeover Committee 
(NECC) reporting to it. 
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  In 2006, the Central Bank prepared a proposal for a 
national changeover plan focusing on its tasks. A 
summary of this proposal was published in October 
2006. The Second Updated Master Plan for the Euro 
Changeover in Malta was adopt ed by the government on 
12 June 2006:  
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
The Third Updated Master Plan for the Euro Changeover 
in Malta was published by the NECC in February 2007: 
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
The 'Final Masterplan' was published by the NECC on 
11 July 2007: 
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
Changeover details   
Type of scenario "Big bang".  "Big bang". 
Dual circulation period  One month. January 2008. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins  Credit institutions and post offices: at least during the 
dual circulation period.  
Magyar Nemzeti Bank: in the case of banknotes for 20 
years and in the case of coins for 5 years after the end of 
the dual circulation period. As from 2 January 2008, credit institutions will exchange 
Maltese lira notes and coins into euro notes and coins, 
free of charge for their clients and up to a 'household 
amount' of MTL 250 for non-bank clients. In the case of 
bank clients, exchange amounts of more than 250 MTL 
may be subject to a ‘2 day’ notice period. For both notes 
and coins, free exchange is planned to be provided until 
the end of March 2008.  
The Central Bank of Malta will continue to exchange 
Maltese lira coins and notes for two years and ten years, 
respectively, after the Maltese lira ceases to be legal 
tender (31 January 2008). All cash exchanges will be 
subject to anti-money- laundering regulations. 
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins  A de-hoarding campaign is planned by the NECC and 
the Central Bank of Malta. The campaign will target the 
general public and specific target groups and unfold as of 
mid-2007 (after the decision lifting Malta's derogation). 
The Currency and Bank Depos its Registration Scheme 
(Amendment) Regulations (Legal Notice 126 of 2007) 
provided an opportunity for the general public and 
businesses to register undeclared income until the end of 
July 2007 
(http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/ legalnotices/2007/04/LN%2
0126.pdf ). 
 
ET 24   ET  Hungary Malta 
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading  Frontloading to credit institutions is planned to start from 
late September/ea rly October 2007 and sub-frontloading 
by credit institutions to businesses and other cash 
handlers is planned to start from 1 December 2007. 
As from 1 December 2007, credit institutions will 
exchange Maltese lira into euro, and vice versa, at the 
irrevocably fixed conversi on rate without exchange 
charges. 
Coin starter-kits for businesses (worth € 131) will be 
available at commercial banks from 1 December 2007, 
while mini-kits for the public (worth € 11.65) will be 
available from the banks and authorised channels from 
10 December 2007. In addition, from 1 December 2007 
commercial banks will offer low denomination euro 
notes to the business community (with exchange charges 
waived), subject to availability. 
ATMs issuing euro only   Around 60% of all ATMs (at least one ATM in all major 
localities) will dispense euro banknotes as from 1 
January 2008 at 00:00h, while the remaining ATMs will 
be converted in the course of the same day – 85 to 90% 
by noon and the remaining by 16:00h on 1 January 2008. 
This agreement was reached following a study on 
historic data concerning typical withdrawal cycles on 31 
December 2005 and 2006, to ensure that enough ATMs 
will remain meeting demand requirements for Maltese 
lira notes on 31 December 2007. 
Change in euro only  As from 1 January 2008, all change will be given in 
euro. 
Dual display of prices  Mandatory dual display of prices from the irrevocable 
fixing of the conversion rate until 30 June 2008. 
Voluntary dual display has been promoted by the NECC 
since 1 January 2007. Gove rnment departments and 
agencies have been fully dual display compliant since 
April 2007. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)  In order to address consumers'  fears of price increases in 
the changeover period, the government and the NECC 
launched initiatives that inte nd to empower the consumer 
and to prevent the retailer from increasing prices: 
The FAIR (Fair-pricing Agreements in Retailing) 
initiative became effective in January 2007. The 
initiative invites businesses to voluntarily subscribe to 
FAIR and thus to commit themselves to apply correct 
dual display of prices and not to increase prices due to 
the euro changeover. Legislation and enforcement 
measures, including the possibility to impose administrative fines, are in place to ensure that 
businesses honour their commitments. The FAIR 
initiative receives positive feedback from the business 
community, with well ove r 5 000 businesses having 
subscribed to it so far. 
The Euro Observatory, which was established in the last 
quarter of 2006, is in charge of co-ordinating the FAIR 
initiative and of monitoring pricing trends during the 
changeover period. Moreover, 70 Euro Assistants are 
responsible for providing support and training to the 
retail sector, with a view to ensuring that the rules on 
dual display of prices are correctly applied and that the 
commitments undertaken by businesses under the FAIR 
initiative are honoured.  
 
ET 25   ET  Hungary Malta 
A 'Price Watch' Initiative is being conducted. A twinning 
agreement is well underway with the former Austrian 
Price Commission, where one of the main deliverables of 
the agreement was the planning and starting up of this 
initiative. 
A series of anonymous 'mystery shopping' exercises are 
being conducted. The results of the shopping exercises 
are being analysed with a view to publishing sector 
specific pricing trends, as well  as specific cases of high 
price increases over the changeover period. 
Adaptation of national law  The Euro Adoption Act 2006 entered into force on 29 
September 2006. Legal Notice 4 of 2007, issued in 
January 2007, mainly regulates details of the mandatory 
dual display of prices. 
 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side  The three designs for the national sides of the Maltese 
euro coins were selected fo llowing a public consultation; 
the final designs were publis hed by the Central Bank on 
13 October 2006. 
Nr of different coin designs  Three designs. 
Coin supplier National Mint. As Malta does not have a national mint, the Maltese euro 
coins will be produced by the Monnaie de Paris, the mint 
chosen following a public call for tenders 
Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins 0,5 billion banknotes and 1 billion coins. Estimated 80 million euro notes. 
Estimated 200 million euro coins. 
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy  'Multi-annual communication strategy in preparation for 
the adoption of the euro (2006-2008)' adopted by the 
Steering Committee for the adoption of the euro on 19 
April 2006. 
The NECC has prepared a detailed action plan for 2006 
and 2007 including a significant information campaign 
reaching specific target groups, such as consumers, the 
business community, children, the elderly and vulnerable 
groups. It has recruited a team of information officers to 
assist the general public and has also launched a national 
helpline to assist the different target groups. 
The NECC launched its information campaign in June 
2006. The NECC unveiled the slogan 'the euro – in our 
common interest' and launched a three-digit helpline 
which has proven popular among the general public. The 
campaign includes public relations initiatives, articles on 
national newspapers and maga zines and an advertising 
campaign. The team of information officers is also 
constantly participating in television and radio 
programmes as well as givi ng public talks to NGOs, 
local councils and other important multipliers. A specific 
campaign targeting businesses in planned in autumn. 
 
ET 26   ET  Hungary Malta 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Ministry of 
Finance/Government; 
Central Bank www.euro.mnb.hu (activated in December 2006) NECC: http://www.euro.gov.mt 
Central Bank of Malta: 
http://www.centralbankmalta .com/site/euroadoption.html
Ministry of Finance: http://mfin.gov.mt 
Partnership agreement  Signed on 5 May 2006. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry  2 May 2005 
Twinning agreement Between AT and HU: communication and information 
strategy (finalised) Between IE – MT – CY: co mmunication and information 
strategy (finalised). 
Between AT-MT: establishing procedures around price 
monitoring and analysis, as well as measures for building 
up price awareness and consumer confidence in the 
changeover period. 
Between FR-MT: The main objective of this twinning is 
to build the NECC’s capacity, enabling it to educate and 
provide public and consumer in formation. This includes: 
Study visits to learn about the challenges posed by 
changeover in euro zone countries; 
Training in communication with 
vulnerable/disadvantaged groups; 
Training in Six Sigma Methodology; 
Training to euro assistants on how to inform and educate 
retailers; 
Cooperation with representativ es of sectoral committees 
and task forces; 
Support to the business awareness campaign; 
Training on broadcasting. 
 
ET 27   ET State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Poland Romania 
Changeover plan    
National target date for 
euro adoption   2014 
National co-ordinating 
institution Inter-institutional working gr oup Ministry of Finance / 
national central bank. 
Note:  The national central bank established the 'Bureau 
for the Integration with the Euro Area', the main task of 
which is to prepare a report on Poland's membership in 
the euro area. The report, which is planned to be 
finalised by the end of 2008, will notably define the 
optimal conditions for the adop tion of the euro in Poland 
and provide guidance for decisions taken in the 
process of the adoption of the euro  
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan   
Changeover details    
Type of scenario   
Dual circulation period   
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins   
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading   
ATMs issuing euro only   
Change in euro only   
Dual display of prices   
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)   
Adaptation of national   
 
ET 28   ET  Poland Romania 
law 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side 
 Public survey.  
Nr of different coin 
designs   
Coin supplier National Mint.  
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins Between 4 and 5 billion coins.  
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy   
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Government/Ministry 
of Finance; 
Central Bank   
Partnership agreement   
Other issues    
ERM II entry   
Twinning agreement Between DE – PL: communi cation and information 
strategy and practical issues.  
 
 
ET 29   ET State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Slovakia Sweden 
Changeover plan    
National target date for 
euro adoption  1 January 2009 Not decided. 
National co-ordinating 
institution The National Coordination Committee is the supreme 
managing and coordination body preparing the euro 
changeover. It is chaired by the Minister of Finance 
(being the National Coordinator for the changeover) and 
the Governor of the Bank of Slovakia.  
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  The first version of the National Changeover Plan was 
approved on 6 July 2005. On 21 March 2007, the 
government endorsed an update of this plan : 
http://www.nbs.sk/EURINT/EURO/NP_AKT.PDF  
(Slovak)  
http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/N
ARPLANA.PDF  (English).   
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang".  
Dual circulation period  16 days.  
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Commercial banks exchange banknotes until end 2009 
and coins until June 2009 (free of charge). The Central 
Bank exchanges banknotes w ithout time limit and coins 
for 5 years.  
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading Commercial banks will be able to receive from the 
National Bank of Slovakia frontloaded supplies of euro 
coins from September 2008 and supplies of euro 
banknotes from mid-November 2008. The sub-
frontloading of the retail sector will take place in 
November to December 2008.   
ATMs issuing euro only  As of €-day ATMs will dispense euro only.  
Change in euro only Change will be given in euro only.  
Dual display of prices Compulsory: from one month after the fixing of the 
conversion rate to one year after euro adoption. 
Voluntary: for further 6 months.  
 
ET 30   ET  Slovakia Sweden 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers) Evolution of prices in 2008 and 2009 will be closely 
monitored; consumers will be informed of the results; 
consumers can raise complain ts with supervisory bodies 
or apply to the courts; volunt ary ethical code has been 
drafted with retailers and entrepreneurs. 
With the aim of facilitating the euro changeover for 
citizens and of protecting them  against unjustified price 
increases, the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak 
Republic prepared a 'White Paper on Consumer 
Protection in the euro changeover process'.  
Adaptation of national 
law 'Umbrella law' is planned to be adopted by the end of 
2007 so that it could be effective from 1 January 2008. 
The necessary amendments to  existing legislation have 
been identified by January 2006 and are envisaged to be 
adopted in 2008 at the latest.  
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side 
 Final design of the national side for the euro coins was 
chosen by public tender followed by an opinion poll and 
announced in December 2005. Slightly revised designs 
were approved in April 2007.  
Nr of different coin 
designs Three designs.  
Coin supplier National Mint.  
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 188 million banknotes, 400 million coins.  
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy Communication strategy on the euro introduction in the 
Slovak Republic is part of the National Changeover 
Plan.  
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Government/Ministry 
of Finance;  
Central Bank http://www.nbs.sk/EURI NT/EURO/INDEX.HTM  
http://www.nbs.sk/MEDZ INAR/EU/INDEXA.HTM  
http://www.finance.gov .sk/En/Default.aspx  
www.euro.gov.sk   
www.euromena.sk    
Partnership agreement   
Other issues    
ERM II entry 28 November 2005  
 
ET 31   ET  Slovakia Sweden 
Twinning agreement Between AU – SK: communication and information 
strategy (finalised); 
Between BE – SK: technical issues related to the 
changeover (finalised).  
 
 
ET 32   ET ANNEX  3 
Euro coins designs of the future nation al sides of Slovakia, Malta and Cyprus  
Cyprus 
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
Malta 
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
Slovakia  
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
 
 
ET 33   ET ANNEX  4 
Information and communication  policy at Community level 
 
The European Commission has continued to implement a whole ra nge of communication 
activities on the euro and EMU in close co-operation with Member States and other Community institutions. In partic ular it continued to implement partnership agreements with a 
number of Member States preparing for the introduction of the euro: Slovenia, Estonia, 
Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus. The partnershi p agreement with Slovenia was successfully 
brought to a close following the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2007, and discussions 
are now at an advanced stage with the Slovak Republic for the conclusion of a new partnership agreement in the second half of the year.  
The purpose of the partnership agreements is to provide technical and fi nancial support to the 
Member States for their national euro communication campaigns. They provide the 
framework within which the Commission s upports various activities developed by the 
national authorities, such as publications, media campai gns, promotional material, 
conferences and seminars, competitions, opinion  polls, etc. The Comm ission also concluded 
grant agreements in June with Malta and C yprus to co-finance thei r national communication 
activities. 
The Commission has also, since the beginning of the year, conducted on its own account a 
number of activities linked to the enlargemen t of the euro area, such as opinion polls and 
surveys, conferences, and seminars for journalists  both in Brussels and in the Member States. 
It has also produced brochures, posters, CD-R OMS and promotional material for the general 
public
18 and a new website dedicated to the euro.19 Moreover, it has developed a new 
exhibition on the euro and EMU wh ich will travel to various Memb er States, starting in Malta 
in June/July and in Cyprus  after the summer break.  
Preparing citizens in Cyprus and Malta for the euro introduction has be en a priority for the 
Commission's communication policy in the first half of 2007 and will continue to be so for the 
remainder of the year.  
                                                 
18 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/general/general_en.htm 
19 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/our_currency_en.htm 
 
ET 34   ET ANNEX  5 
State of public opinion in the recently acceded Member States  
The European Commission commissioned a Eurobarometer survey on public opinion in the 
recently acceded Member States concerning their attitudes towards and knowledge about the introduction of the euro, and Gallup Europe c onducted the survey at  the end of March 2007.
20 
It was the fifth such Eurobarometer survey (following the ones in September 2004 and 2005 as well as in April and September 2006). Sloveni a was no longer covered since it adopted the 
euro on 1 January 2007. Bulgaria and Romania,  however, were covered for the first time, 
having joined the EU on the sa me date. In total, over 11 000 randomly select ed citizens were 
interviewed. 
1. Familiarity with and knowledge about the euro 
The March 2007 results broadly confirm the results of the previous surveys as to familiarity 
and knowledge about the euro. Respondents we re relatively familiar with the common 
currency: 77% had already seen euro banknotes of which some 62% had already used them, 
and 68% had already seen euro coins of which 60% had used them already. The usage of euro 
banknotes and coins was as usual particularly high in the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Malta – and also this time in Romania.  
In addition to these practical aspects, the surv ey also tested the respondents' knowledge of the 
euro's general features. Here the results were mixed. More respondents than  in the last survey 
were aware that the design of banknotes was the same in all countries (50%, up from 45%) 
but fewer people knew about the partly different  designs of euro coins (31%, down from 37% 
in autumn 2006). The enlargement of the euro area to Slovenia unsurpr isingly increased the 
uncertainty as to how many euro-a rea Member States there are. Only 28% of the interviewees 
were able to give the correct  answer of 13 countries (down from 40% in autumn 2006) while 
25% did not know, up from 17% previously. A re latively stable majori ty of citizens (64%, 
previously 67%) in the survey ed countries believed that th eir country had the option of 
deciding whether it would adopt the euro or not. 
Regarding the expected date of  introduction of the eu ro, the results show  a continued shift 
since 2006, corresponding to actual developments. An overwhelming majority in Cyprus and 
Malta expect the euro to be a dopted in those countri es in 2008, which is indeed the official 
national target date, and a strong majority in Slovakia expect eu ro adoption in 2009. The 
absence of national target dates in most other countries results in very divergi ng expectations 
among the population, reflecting the high degree of uncertainty.  
2. Perceptions of and support for the single European currency 
Similarly to previous 2006 findings, citizens in the recently acceded Member States are 
prepared – at least mentally – to have their cu rrency replaced by the euro: 48% were very or 
rather happy about a future changeover, whic h is comparable to April and September 2006. 
The trends vary strongly from one country to an other, with the relative share of citizens happy 
about the euro changeover increasing in five of the eleven recently acceded Member States 
                                                
 
20 Flash Eurobarometer 207.  
 
ET 35   ET compared to the results of the autumn 2006 su rvey. Most notably, the support increased in 
Cyprus by 8 percentage points to  a support rate of 40% and in Malta by 6 percen tage points to 
a support rate of 54%. The level of support in the othe r four countries had slightly decreased 
or remained unchanged from September 2006 ( no comparison can be made in the case of 
Bulgaria and Romania since they were covered here for the first time).  
 Are people happy that the euro will replace their national currency?
23 21 26 24 285964 64 65 64
4/20 079/20 064/2 0069/2 0059 /2 004
Q12.(2 007)/Q 15(2 00 6). Are you per so n ally happy 
or  not tha t  th e e uro c ou ld repl ace  t he 
(NA TIONA L CURRENCY)?CYPRU S
40323949585249
404053
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059/ 20 0 4CZECH REPUBLIC
46 4439333946 475258 55
4/20 079/2 0064 /20069/20059/200 4ESTO NI A
33 32 31242957 57 60 6457
4/ 20 0 79/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04HU NGA RY
49 46564956
3745
35 3733
4/20079/20064/200 69/20 059 /2 004
LI THUANI A
31 32 33253455 53 5669
58
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059 /2004LAT VI A
59
24
4/ 20 0 79/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04MAL TA
40 4148 49
425448
41 4133
4 /2 0079/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04POLAND
46 49
42 41403450 49
3954
4/200 79/20 064/2 0069 /20059/2004
SLOVAKIA
57 5550
36 36424254 50
36
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059/ 20 0 4% very and rather happy % very and rather unhappy
45
334/20079/200 64/20 069/20059/2004BU LGARIA ROMANIA
 
Generally, citizens expect that the euro will be more positive for their country than for 
themselves as individuals. 53% (u p from 50% in autumn 2006) think that it will have a rather 
or very positive effect for the country. 48% (up from 44%) expect very or rather positive 
consequences for themselves personally. Only 24% of the respondents w ould like the euro to 
become their currency as soon as possible.  
3. Expectations and fears regardi ng the adoption of the euro 
The September results broadly confirm previous surveys as regards citizens' expectations of 
the euro. There is still a broadly shared recogn ition in the recently acceded Member States of 
the euro’s status as an international curre ncy and that there are a number of benefits 
associated with their countr y's adoption of the euro.  
The questionnaire was changed this time to differe ntiate more clearly be tween expectations of 
one-off changeover effects in the short term, and expectations of medium- and long-term 
effects on prices. Thus, while in  the previous survey only 28% believed that the euro would 
help maintain price stability, this time 55% id entified ensuring price stability as one of the 
main advantages of the euro. On the other ha nd, the survey sends a clear message about the 
fears during the changeover period: 75% thought th at the euro will increas e prices when first 
introduced. 
 
ET 36   ET Regarding the euro's economic or political e ffects, respondents gene rally acknowledge that 
positive effects will appear in the area of public finances (46%, +2). Citizens also seem to be 
more positive about the impact of  the euro on growth and employment: now 43% (+3) think it 
will improve the situation in this area while 36% (-3) think it will have a negative effect.  
4. Information and information channels 
The results of the March 2007 survey reveal a slight decrease in th e perceived information 
level on average. 37% of the respondents thought th at they were rather or  very well informed 
(40% in autumn 2006) while 61% think they ar e not (up from 58%). This is due both to 
Slovenia, which had a very high level of per ceived information, no lo nger being covered by 
the survey, and a significant fall in the figure fo r Poland. For all other countries, the perceived 
information level remained stable or increase d. The increase was most conspicuous in Malta 
(+33) and in Cyprus (+14) where the national information campaigns for euro adoption in 
2008 are at full speed or have recently been intensified, though there was also a notable 
increase in Slovakia. The resu lts suggest that the demand for information, which increases as 
the adoption date approaches , is still considerable.  
As in past surveys, national central banks are the most trusted source of information: an 
average of 79% (autumn 2006: 77%) thought so. Eu ropean institutions were again perceived 
as the second most trusted source (results bei ng slightly higher than in September 2006: 69% 
relative to 67%). As to which information channels were preferred, most respondents 
continued to prefer mass media and banks; and, as  regards the type of information they were 
looking for, they were mainly interested in practical information on the introduction of the euro, e.g. the value of the euro (90%), the ch angeover scenario (87%),  practical implications 
(85%), and how to ensure that conversion rule s are respected (83%). The survey confirms 
once more that that the public consider an esse ntial element in preparing for the changeover to 
be the dual display of prices, both in shops (83%) and on utility bills (75%).