Euro - Background Eurozone changeover key dates - 2002 Published: December 6 2001 12:20GMT | Last Updated: April 24 2002 16:33GMT January 1 2002 Euro notes and coins will enter circulation in the 12 participating states of the EU. All non-cash transactions will hereafter take place in euros. Dual circulation period begins, in which consumers can still use national currencies but will be given change only in euros. January 15 2002 It is anticipated that the bulk of cash transactions will now be taking place in euros. January 28 2002 Dutch national currency ending as legal tender. February 9 2002 Irish national currency ending as legal tender. February 17 2002 French national currency ending as legal tender. February 28 2002 Belgian, Greek, Spanish, Italian, Luxembourg, Austrian, Portuguese and Finnish national currencies ending as legal tender. German commercial banks exchanging national banknotes and coins for euros until at least this date. Commercial banks in Austria, Finland, Greece and Ireland to decide individual deadlines for currency exchanges. Italy has not made a decision on commercial bank currency exchanges. June 30 2002 Last date commercial banks in France, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain will exchange national currencies for euros. December 31 2002 Last date commercial banks in Belgium and the Netherlands will exchange national currencies for euros. Last date Portugal's central bank will exchange national coins for euros.