Single European currency (Euro)
The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Belgium). Ten member states joined the EU on1 May 2004 but have yet to fulfil all the conditions that had to be met by the "old" member states before adopting the euro. The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Belgian Franc was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (¬) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of ¬500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of ¬2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. ATMs are plentiful.
Travellers cheques
Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | May '05 | | £1= | 1.49 | 1.42 | 1.46 | 1.46 | | $1= | 0.80 | 0.75 | 0.77 | 0.79 |
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1600.
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