Does the UK Use Euro? Best Advice From A Local

If you’re saying to yourself, ‘does the UK use Euro?” then lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place because I’ve lived in the UK (more specifically London) since 2015 and I’ve learned how we handle the Euro around here.

The tips in this article cover everything you need to know about euros, if you need them, and what you can use instead to avoid converting an unnecessary amount of money into various currencies.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be ready to act like a local when you set off on your UK holiday.

If you’re planning a trip to the United Kingdom, you might be thinking, “does the UK use Euro?” or “do I need Euros?” After all, the UK was part of the European Union for quite some time. However, the short answer is no – the UK continued to use the pound and rejected the use of the euro while it was an EU member state (some might say this is typical snobby brits). The U.K. government determined the euro did not meet five critical economic tests. So don’t worry, you do not need to exchange your dollars for Euros and pounds on your next trip to London. You’ll only need pounds (£).

Or, better yet- apply for a Monzo debit card. This isn’t a credit card. You load the card with as little or as much money as you want. Plus, if you sign up through my link- you get a free £5. Who doesn’t like free money?! I use my Monzo card every day as it is so widely accepted anywhere in the UK. Plus, you get a notification as soon as you use it so you know your money is secure.

Ps, I wrote an article on the best transportation methods in London to help you navigate the busy city like a local.

The U.K. is not part of the eurozone, so it does not use the euro as its currency.

The U.K., true to its established tradition of holding steadfast to its pound sterling, has remained independent of the eurozone and thus opted out of using the euro as its currency. Once the government decided that the euro did not meet its five key tests, it remained loyal to its pound and never looked back.

Rather than joining fellow EU nations in using the European single currency, Britain decided it was better off sticking by its Centuries-old attachment to the pound. Hey, when you’re used to trading in something for several hundred years – why switch now? What’s that saying… If it’s not broken, don’t fix it? Gosh- now I’m starting to sound like my dad!

The U.K.’s decision to opt out of the euro was based on five critical tests – none of which were met by the Euro at that time.

It’s no secret that the euro wasn’t Britain’s cup of tea. During its time as a member of the European Union, the U.K. made it abundantly clear that it was quite content with its own currency, the pound sterling. As such, a series of five tests were put in place to decide which currency – pound or euro – should be used in the UK. No surprise here that the UK Government were the one that allowed this test to take place.

There’s a conspiracy theory that the tests were deliberately made so that it would have been nearly impossible to pass them in the first place. Unfortunately for fans of the euro, none of these crucial tests was met by their favourite denomination, leaving the U.K. free and proud to continue on with its pound-ssip!

Some people have argued that the U.K.’s continued use of the pound sterling is one of the main reasons for Brexit.

It is widely said that Brexit (51.9% voted leave) would not have been possible without the UK’s refusal to use the euro, which many have argued is one of the biggest causes of it. After all, if the government had decided that the euro met its five critical tests, the whole idea of Brexit would simply disappear because there wouldn’t have been an argument to keep the British pound.

This stubbornness was reflected in the media when articles were going around saying that deep down, we all knew that the answer to ‘does the UK use euro’ was always going to be a straight no. Even though it might come as a surprise to some, it appears that this attitude might have played a role in facilitating a rather ironic consequence when Britain decided to negotiate with the EU and leave altogether.

Whether or not the U.K.’s decision to stay out of the eurozone was a good idea remains up for debate.

The jury is still out on whether or not the U.K.’s decision to stay a sterling nation was the best one. The U.K. government determined that the euro did not meet five critical tests, in which they performed, and that decision has kept Britain in uncharted waters ever since.

Of course, there’s always a chance the euro could have worked out for the better, but it’s impossible to say for sure now. One thing’s for sure — in a world of ever-changing currencies and value systems, only time will tell how true this decision proves to be!

Does The UK Use Euro FAQ

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No problem! You definitely need to read my article about the best day trips from London. They book up super quickly so make sure you plan ahead.