Commission staff working document - Accompanying document to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Ninth Report on the practical preparations for the future enlargement of the euro area {COM(2009)692}
Date: 2009-12-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, Economic and Monetary Union, euro, euro area, monetary integration, report

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 21.12.2009 
SEC(2009) 1703 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Accompanying document to the  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK THE 
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE 
OF THE REGIONS 

Ninth Report on the practical preparations for the future enlargement of the euro area 

{COM(2009)692} 

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COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Accompanying document to the  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK THE 
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE 
OF THE REGIONS 

Ninth Report on the practical preparations for the future enlargement of the euro area 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

This Working Paper is attached to the 'Ninth Commission Report on the practical preparations 
for  the  future  enlargement  of  the  euro  area'.  It  provides  an  overview  of  how  the  countries 
which  yet  have  to  adopt  the  euro  abide  by  the  provisions  of  the 
'Commission 
Recommendation of 10 January 2008 on measures to facilitate future changeovers to the euro' 
which  builds  on  the  experience  acquired  in  the  course  of  the  introduction  of  euro  cash  in 
2002, 2007 and 2008, and gives a synoptic overview of the state of national preparations for 
the changeover.  

2. 

RESPECTING  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATION  ON 
MEASURES TO FACILITATE FUTURE CHANGEOVERS TO THE EURO  

This  section  provides  an  overview  on  how  the  countries  meet  the  provisions  of  the 
Commission  Recommendation  of  10  January  2008  on  measures  to  facilitate  future 
changeovers to the euro (2008/78/EC). It is based solely on publicly available information and 
therefore may not reflect all preparations which are under way.  

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BG  CZ  EE  LV  LT  HU  PL  RO  SE 

Article 1: Steering and organisation 

Set  up  of  appropriate  national 
coordination structures 

National changeover plan:  

1. Prepared 

2.Discussed with economic 

operators 

3. Regularly updated 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Article 2: Facilitating preparation of citizens 

Dual display of prices should be 
imposed by the national law 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Any  charges  for  accepting  €-
payments 
businesses  before  €-day  should 
be displayed separately 

imposed 

by 

X 

Legal  ban  on  using  a  rate  other 
than the official conversion rate 

Min.6 months long dual display 
before €-day planned 

Max  1  year  long  compulsory 
dual display after €-day planned 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Plans  to  inform  citizens  about 
security features of euro cash 

X 

Special 
programmes 
groups planned 

for 

information 
vulnerable 

Training  sessions  for  personnel 
working  with  cash/in  direct 
contact with public envisaged: 

1. By public administration 

2. By businesses 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

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for 

Plans 
information to SMEs by: 

the  provision  of 

1.Public administration bodies  

2.Professional associations, 
chambers of commerce, 
business advisors 

Plans 
for 
information 
institutions to their customers  

the  provision  of 
credit 

by 

BG  CZ  EE  LV  LT  HU  PL  RO  SE 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Plans  to  monitor  progress  in 
preparations  by  means  of 
surveys 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Article 3: Ensuring a quick introduction of euro cash 

Planned  dishoarding  campaign 
aimed at citizens  

X 

X 

X 

1. Frontloading 

2. Sub-frontloading 

schedules put in place 

X 

X 

Euro coin kits for retailers  

X 

X 

Plans  for  financially  attractive 
deferred debiting  

Mini coin kits for citizens: 

1. Production envisaged 

2. At least 1 kit per household 

ATMs  should  be  adapted  as  of 
€-day 

Plans  for  temporary  closure  of 
ATMs  that  cannot  be  adapted 
for technical reasons 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

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BG  CZ  EE  LV  LT  HU  PL  RO  SE 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Giving of change in € only as of 
€-day imposed by law 

Plans  for  ad-hoc  measures  due 
to  increased  cash  volume  in 
sales outlets 

POS 
terminals 
switched to € as of €-day  

should 

be 

Consumers  will  be  encouraged 
electronic  payment 
to  use 
means  

Plans  for  extra  opening  days  in 
credit institutions around €-day  

for  extended  opening 
institutions 
in  credit 

Plans 
hours 
around €-day 

Article 4: Prevention of abusive practices and mistaken perceptions of price trends 

Planned  agreements  on  neutral 
impact  of  changeover  on  prices 
(e.g. Ethical Code) 

Planned  logo  to  identify  the 
subscribers of the Ethical Code 

Planned  advertisement  for  the 
Ethical Code logo 

Close monitoring of compliance 
by 
commitments 
with 
subscribers planned 

Planned dissuasive measures for 
non-compliance with the Code 

Planned  monitoring  of  prices 
from the adoption of conversion 
rate until the end of dual display 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

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BG  CZ  EE  LV  LT  HU  PL  RO  SE 

publication 

Regular 
of 
information  on  evolution  of 
prices around €-day 

Alignment  of  bank  charges  for 
payments  in  €  with  those  or 
payments  in  national  currency 
before €-day 

X 

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3. 

STATE 

OF 

PRACTICAL 

PREPARATIONS 

(NOVEMBER 

2009) 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Changeover 
organisation 

National target date for 
euro adoption 

National co-ordinating 
institution 

(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan 

The  preliminary  target  date  (1  January  2010)  was 
withdrawn by the Government on 25 October 2006. The 
Czech  Republic’s  updated 
'Euro-area  Accession 
Strategy'  approved  by  the  Czech  Government  on  29 
August 2007 does not set any target date. 

The National Co-ordination Group (NCG) held its first 
meeting  on  20  February  2006.  Six  Working  Groups 
(WGs)  were  established  for  different  areas  of  practical 
preparations.  The  work  of  the  NCG  and  WGs  is 
organised  by  the  NCG's  Managing  Committee.  On  28 
March  2007,  a  new  National  Co-ordinator  for  Euro 
Adoption was appointed by the Government. 

The  Czech  Republic’s  Euro  Accession  Strategy  was 
approved by the Government in October 2003: 

http://www.cnb.cz/www.cnb.cz/en/monetary_policy/stra
tegic_documents/download/en_eurostrategie_09_2003.p
df 

An  updated  version  was  approved  by  the  Czech 
government in August 2007: 

http://www.cnb.cz/www.cnb.cz/en/monetary_policy/stra
tegic_documents/download/eurostrategy_070829.pdf 

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.  It  was 
published  in  hardcopy,  in  both  English  and  Czech 
versions.  

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xbcr/euro/NP_EN_
06-08-07.pdf  

First  Progress  Report  to  the  National  Changeover  Plan 
was  approved  by  the  Czech  Government  on  9  April 
2008:. 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xbcr/euro/Zprava_o
_plneni_np_pdf.pdf  

Second  Progress  Report  was  approved  on  30  March 
2009: 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/doku
menty_vladni_material_779.html  

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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) 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

"Big bang". 
On 30 June 2006 the National Co-ordination Group 
recommended the Government to use the "big bang" 
scenario. The Recommendation was approved by the 
Government on 25 October 2006. 
http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xbcr/euro/Scenar_z
avedeni_eura_CR.pdf  

2 weeks starting from €-day 

The Czech National Bank, commercial banks and other 
selected  entities  will  exchange  Czech  korunas  for  the 
euro for at least 6 months after €-day. Subsequently, the 
legacy  currency  will  only  be  exchanged  at  the  Czech 
National  Bank.  The  maximum  length  of  the  banknote 
exchange period is to be decided, while the coins will be 
exchangeable for a period of 5 years. 

Frontloading  of  banks  will  start  3  months  ahead  of  €-
day and sub-frontloading of the non-financial sector will 
start one month before €-day. 

yes 

Mandatory  dual  display  of  prices  will  be  introduced 
within one month after the announcement of the official 
conversion  rate  and  will  continue  for  12  months  after 
the changeover date. 

The  first  version  of  the  Recommendation  on  the  dual 
display of prices was elaborated in 2009: 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xbcr/euro/Doporuc
ene_postupy_dualni_oznacovani_cen__pdf.pdf  

A  voluntary  agreement  with  retailers  (fair-pricing 
agreement) and a 'memorandum of understanding', to be 
signed  by  retail  and  services  sector  and  the  consumer 
protection  associations.  These  measures  should  be 
the 
later 
launched  no 
announcement of the conversion rate.  

than  one  month  after 

The basic principles of the price monitoring and control 
were  elaborated  by  the  Information  Technology  and 
Statistics WG in November 2009 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/doku
menty_metodiky.html  

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Adaptation of national 
law 

Euro banknotes and coins 

Design of the national 
side 

Number of different 
coin designs 

Coin supplier 

Estimate of the need for 
banknotes and coins 

Communication activities 

Communication 
strategy 

Activities 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

The  necessary  adaptations  of  national  law  have  been 
analysed  by  the  Legislation  Working  Group  of  the 
National  Co-ordination  Group.  On  l  March  2009  the 
Government decided to adopt an “indirect” approach to 
law  adaptation,  combined  with  individual  adjustments 
of legal texts, if necessary. A general timetable of legal 
adjustments  was  elaborated  with  a  view  to  introducing 
the euro.  

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xbcr/euro/Priprava_
pravniho_prostredi_na_zavedeni_eura_pdf.pdf  

Suppliers would be chosen via a public call for tender.  

230 million banknotes and 950 million coins. 

A draft version was prepared in September 2009 by the 
Communication Working Group.  

The leaflet “Preparations of the Czech Republic for the 
adoption  of  the  euro”  was  printed  and  distributed 
country-wide in June 2007. 

The  conference  “The  euro  –  our  future  currency”  was 
held in October 2007 in Prague. 

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Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover: 

Partnership agreement 

Other issues 

ERM II entry 

Twinning agreement 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Government 
http://www.euroskop.cz/euro 

EU 

information 

department: 

Ministry of Finance: 

http:// www.mfcr.cz/euro 

National changeover website (in Czech and English): 

http:// www.zavedenieura.cz  

Czech National Bank:  

http://www.cnb.cz/en/international_relations/euro/  

Ministry of Industry and Trade:  

http://www.mpo.cz/cz/eu-a-vnitrni-trh/euro-pristoupeni-
cr-k-eurozone/default.html 

Guidelines  on  rounding  and  smoothing  of  prices 
prepared  by  the  NCG  Management  Committee  in 
October 2007: 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/doku
menty_metodiky.html  

The  estimate  of  budgetary  costs  of  smoothing  in  the 
public sector published in March 2008: 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/doku
menty_metodiky.html 

Guidelines for the preparations of the banking sector for 
the  introduction  of  euro  prepared  by  the  Financial 
Sector WG 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/doku
menty_metodiky.html 

International  Conference  “Ten  years  of  the  Euro  –  A 
source  of  inspiration  for  the  Czech  Republic”  held  in 
Prague in November 2008: 

http://www.zavedenieura.cz/cps/rde/xchg/euro/xsl/publi
kace_seminare_956.html  

Twinning  Project  between 
the  National  Bank  of 
Belgium, the Czech Ministry of Finance and the Czech 
National  Bank  started  in  September  2007  and  ended 
successfully in September 2008.  

A new Twinning project between the French authorities, 
the Czech Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of 
Slovakia is under preparation  

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Changeover 
organisation 

National target date for euro 
adoption 

1 January 2011 

Estonia 

Latvia 

According  to  the  government  changeover  strategy,  the 
target  date  for  introduction  of  the  euro  should  be  set  at 
least  24  months  prior  to  €-day,  on  the  basis  of  the 
criteria: 
prospect 
(http://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/mk/tap/?pid=30308178&mode
=mk&date=2007-09-25). 

the  Maastricht 

fulfilling 

of 

National co-ordinating 
institution 

National  Changeover  Committee,  chaired  by  the 
Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, set up 
on 27 January 2005. 

Steering  Committee 
the  preparation  and  co-
ordination of the euro introduction established on 18 July 
2005. 

for 

(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 seventh update was adopted on 25 June 2009: 

http://www.eestipank.info/pub/en/EL/ELiit/euro/epl
aan_1.pdf 

The  Cabinet  of  Ministers  of  the  Republic  of  Latvia 
approved  the  'Action  Plan  for  the  Introduction  of  the 
Single European Currency' on 1 November 2005 and the 
first  version  of  Latvia's  National  Euro  Changeover  Plan 
on 28 February 2006. The updates of the two documents 
were approved on 25 September 2007. 

Changeover details 

Type of scenario 

"Big-bang" 

"Big-bang" 

Dual circulation period  

Two weeks 

One month 

Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins 

Banknotes and coins: all commercial banks at least 
6 months after €-day free of charge, some branches 
12  months.  Central  Bank  indefinitely,  free  of 
charge. 

Commercial  banks,  currency  exchange  offices  and  post 
offices for 6 months after €-day free of charge; the Bank 
of Latvia without time limit free of charge. 

Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins 

Campaign  for  withdrawal  of  kroon  coins  before  €-
day planned; credit institutions are recommended to 
launch early cash deposit campaigns. 

Not  envisaged  because  of  the  high  nominal  value  of 
coins  in  Latvia  and  their  intensive  use  for  day-to-day 
payments. 

Frontloading and sub-
frontloading 

Frontloading 
two  months  before 
frontloading  by  credit  institutions  to  major  clients 
one  month  before 
€-day 
distribution to general public before €-day). 

(precondition:  no 

€-day;  sub-

Frontloading  of  banks  should  start  one  month  before  €- 
day (1 December), sub-frontloading two weeks before €-
day  (15  December).  Euro  banknotes  and  coins  may  not 
be publicly circulated before €-day. 

Banks should offer to exchange kroons for the euro 
at  the  conversion  rate  and  without  service  fee  at 
least one month prior to €-day. 

ATMs issuing euro only  

All  ATMs  should  dispense  euro  only  within  48 
hours as of €-day. 

As  from  €-  day  ATMs  should  dispense  euro  banknotes 
only. 

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Estonia 

Latvia 

Change in euro only 

Change  should  be  given  in  euro  as  of  €-day;  in 
exceptional  cases  change  can  be  given  in  kroon 
during the dual circulation period. 

After the end of the dual circulation period.  

Dual display of prices 

Compulsory: 6 months before and after €-day. 

Compul sory for three months before €-day until one year 
after €- day. 

Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with retailers) 

Monitoring of prices of frequently purchased goods 
and  services  under  the  supervision  of  the  Ministry 
of Economic Affairs and Communication. 

Monitoring  of  price  developments  in  the  retail  sector, 
verification  of  the  accuracy  of  dual  price  displays  and 
'fair pricing'' campaign envisaged. 

Leaflets  containing  information  on  the  euro  were 
made available to the public in summer 2006. 

Adaptation of national law  Regularly updated 'umbrella law' on the introduction 

Adaptation envisaged via an 'umbrella law'. 

of the euro. 

Euro banknotes and coins 

Design of the national side 

Design selected and published in December 2004. 

Nr of different coin designs  One design 

Three designs 

Coin supplier 

Following a call for tender, coins will be minted by 
the Mint of Finland. 

Coins will be minted abroad following a call for tender. 

Estimation on the need for 
banknotes and coins 

200-250 million coins 

87 million banknotes and 300 million coins. 

Communication activities  

Communication strategy 

Endorsed  by  the  National  Changeover  Committee 
on  21  June  2005.  Most  recent  update:  31  August 
2009. 

'Communication  strategy  for  the  euro  changeover  in 
Latvia' approved on 12 April 2006; it is currently under 
revision. 

Addresses of websites on 
euro changeover: 

Government/Ministry of 
Finance;  

Central Bank 

www.euro.eesti.ee launched in January 2006. 

Euro  changeover  website:  www.eiro.lv  launched  in 
December 2008.  

information  on 

Up-to-date 
the  euro  changeover 
preparations  is  available  on  the  website  of  the  Ministry 
of Finance: http://www.fm.gov.lv/page.php?id=105. 

Partnership agreement 

Signed  on  8  November  2005,  renewed  in  2008.  In 
force until 8 February 2010. 

Other issues 

ERM II entry 

28 June 2004 

2 May 2005 

Twinning agreement 

Twinning Agreement between BE and LV in final stage. 

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Lithuania 

Hungary 

Changeover 
organisation 

National target date for 
euro adoption 

The  specific  target  date  has  not  been  set,  but  the 
Government  aims  to  join  the  euro  area  at  the  earliest 
possible date.  

Not decided. 

National co-ordinating 
institution 

Commission for the Co-ordination of the Adoption of the 
Euro in Lithuania, established on 30 May 2005. 

The government decided on 12 September 2007 to set up 
the National Euro Coordination Committee. The key task 
of 
the  practical 
preparations for the changeover.  

the  Committee 

to  co-ordinate 

is 

The NECC is chaired by the Minister of Finance and co-
chaired by the Governor of Magyar Nemzeti Bank. This 
high  level  committee  is  composed  of  the  Minister  of 
Economy,  Justice  and  Security,  Local  Governance  and 
Regional  Developments,  Social  Affairs  and  Labour,  the 
Minister  in  charge  of  the  Prime  Ministers’  Office,  the 
President  of  the  Central  Statistical  Office  and  the 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  the  Hungarian  Financial 
Supervisory  Authority.  The  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs 
and 
Interest 
Reconciliation Council (one from the employers' and one 
from  the  employees'  side)  have  permanent  observer 
status in the NECC. The Committee shall report annually 
on  its  activities  and  the  progress  made  in  technical 
preparations for the changeover to the government and to 
the competent committees of the Parliament 

representatives  of 

the  National 

two 

(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  

The second version of the National Changeover Plan was 
approved  by 
the  government  on  25  April  2007: 
http://www.euro.lt/documents/Changeover%20Plan_II_r
edakcija_EN.doc. 

The  third  version  of  the  National  Changeover  Plan  is 
currently under preparation. 

The government adopted the first version of the National 
Changeover  Plan  in  July  2008.  It  has  been  published 
both in Hungarian and in English: 

http://english.mnb.hu/Engine.aspx?page=mnb_euro_inde
x. 

Type of scenario 

"Big-bang" 

"Big-bang". 

Dual circulation period   15 days. 

Shorter than 1 month, exact length is to be decided 

Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins 

Commercial banks: free of charge during 60 days after €-
day. Central bank: free of charge for an unlimited period.

Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins 

Consumers  will  be  encouraged  to  deposit  cash  with 
banks before €-day. 

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13 

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Lithuania 

Hungary 

Frontloading and sub-
frontloading 

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 only euro banknotes.

Change in euro only 

Recommendation to give change in euro only. 

Dual display of prices 

Compulsory:  120  calendar  days  before  €-day  and  120 
days after €-day; voluntary: recommendation to use dual 
display as early as possible after decision on the official 
conversion rate. 

Compulsory:  from  the  earliest  possible  date  after  the 
conversion rate is irrevocably fixed until 30 June of the 
year following €-day. 

Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers) 

Business  organisations  will  be  encouraged  to  adopt  a 
“Code  of  Good  Business  Practice”  (correct  conversion, 
no  speculative  price  increases  etc.);  subscribers  will  be 
authorised to use a logo of the Code. 

Adaptation of national 
law 

A  Law  on  the  Adoption  of  the  euro  has  been  prepared 
(contains rules on conversion and exchange of litas to the 
euro, withdrawal of litas from circulation, dual display of 
prices,  presentation  of  designs  of  euro  banknotes  and 
Lithuanian euro coins, redenomination of securities etc.). 
The  law  will  be  officially  adopted  once  the  decision  to 
lift the derogation is taken.  

All  existing  legal  acts  that  need  to  be  adapted  with  a 
view  to  adopting  the  euro  had  been  identified  by 
December 2005.  

Voluntary  agreements  on  fair  pricing  should  be  signed 
with retailers and service providers. The signatories will 
be  entitled  to  use  a  special  logo.  Prices  should  be 
and 
regularly  monitored  by  public 
organisations  of  consumers.  The 
the 
monitoring are to be regularly communicated to citizens. 

institutions 
results  of 

The  National  Plan  provides  for  an  'umbrella  law'  plus 
individual adjustments of legal texts if necessary. 

Euro banknotes and coins 

Design of the national 
side 

Approved 

Nr of different coin 
designs 

Three designs 

Coin supplier 

Lithuanian Mint 

Estimate of the need for 
banknotes and coins 

118 million banknotes and 290 million coins. 

To be decided 24 months before €-day.  

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Lithuania 

Hungary 

Communication activities 

Communication 
strategy 

Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover: 

Ministry of 
Finance/Government;  

Central Bank 

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 on the web:  

http://www.euro.lt/documents/2007%2004%2025%20Vi
suomenes%20informavimo%20strategija_EN.doc. 

third  version  of  “Public 

The 
information  and 
communication strategy” is currently under preparation. 

National euro website (www.euro.lt). 

Regularly  updated  websites  of  the  Bank  of  Lithuania 
(www.lb.lt) 
the  Ministry  of  Finance 
(www.finmin.lt). 

and  of 

Partnership agreement  Signed  on  8  November  2005.  Prolongation  signed  on  5 

February 2008. 

Other issues 

ERM II entry 

28 June 2004 

the  National 
The  section  on  communication 
Changeover  Plan  defines  basic  principles,  actors, 
messages  and  target  groups  for  the  communication  on 
the euro.  

in 

National euro website activated in December 2006. 
Hungarian version:  

http://www.mnb.hu/engine.aspx?page=mnbeuro_index) 

English version: 
http://english.mnb.hu/Engine.aspx?page=mnb_euro_inde
x  

Twinning agreement 

Three Twinning agreements completed: 

AT and HU on communication and information strategy 
(finalised). 

NL  –  SI  –  LT  on  communication  and  information 
strategy;  

BE – LT on tax-related questions;  

FR-  HU:  A 
preparations 
communication issues was held in Budapest 

three  day  seminar  on  public  sector 
and 
changeover, 
for 

legal 

the 

BE  –  LT  on  departmental  management  related  to  the 
changeover. 

FR-SK-HU  twinning  programme  is  planned  to  start  in 
2010  

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Poland 

Romania 

Changeover plan 

National target date for 
euro adoption 

As soon as possible. 

2014 

National co-ordinating 
institution 

Government  Plenipotentiary  for  the  Euro  Adoption  in 
Poland  was  appointed  in  January  2009;  National  Euro 
Coordination Committee and Coordination Council to be 
established before the end of 2009. 

(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan 

Guidelines for National Changeover Plan to be 
published before the end of 2009. 

Not decided yet. To be specified in the National 
Changeover Plan. 

Transitional period envisaged 

2 months 

Indefinitely 

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) 

Ethical Code to be signed with retailers and banks by the 
end of 2010. Monitoring of price developments during 
and after dual display of prices (possible sanctions for 
abuses). 

Adaptation of national 
law 

Preliminary list of necessary amendments to be prepared 
in 2009-2010. 

Euro banknotes 
and coins 

Design of the national 
side 

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Poland 

Romania 

Nr of different coin 
designs 

Coin supplier 

Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 

Communication 
activities 

Communication 
strategy 

Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover: 

Government/Ministry 
of Finance; 

To be prepared in 2010. 

Central Bank 

www.euro.nbportal.pl launched in December 2006 

Partnership agreement 

Other issues 

ERM II entry 

As soon as the conditions outlined in the document 
'Prerequisites for Implementation of the Next Stages of 
the Road Map for Euro Adoption in Poland' are met.  

Twinning agreement 

2005-2006 DE-PL on communication and information 
strategy and other practical aspects of the changeover  

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sweden 

Changeover plan 

National target date for 
euro adoption 

Not decided. 

National co-ordinating 
institution 

(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 
law 

Euro banknotes and coins 

Design of the national 
side 

Nr of different coin 
designs 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sweden 

Coin supplier 

Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 

Communication activities 

Communication 
strategy 

Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover: 

Government/Ministry 
of Finance;  

Central Bank 

Partnership agreement 

Other issues 

ERM II entry 

Twinning agreement 

EN 

19 

   EN