Yes, absolutely! In fact, you can use them in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

Apart from these 15 European countries, you can also use them in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and French overseas territories including Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, and Réunion in the Indian Ocean. It is also the official currency in Montenegro and Kosovo.

The euro became legal tender in 12 member states of the European Union (EU) in January 2002. The coins - 50 billion of them - have one side common to all 12 countries and a reverse side specific to each country. The 14.5 billion banknotes look the same throughout the euro area. Altogether, the banknotes and coins produced totalled over €664 billion.

The banknotes were designed by the Austrian artist Robert Kalina. His designs were inspired by the theme "Ages and styles of Europe". They depict the architectural seven periods in Europe's cultural history: Classical for the €5 note, Romanesque for the €10 one, Gothic for the €20 note, Renaissance for the €50 note, Baroque and Rococo for the €100, the iron and glass architecture for the €200 and modern 20th century architecture for the €500 one. Windows and gateways are the main feature on the front of the banknotes while bridges are the dominant one on the reverse. To avoid country rivalry, all features are fictitious and the product of the artist's imagination. Over 1,200 designs were considered.

Click here if you would like to find out more information about the euro.