Advice on the Introduction of Euro Notes and Coins You may know that twelve European countries (listed below) are now replacing their old currency with Euro notes and coins. If you are visiting one of these countries this year, or have currency from a previous visit, and are not planning another visit, you should change any spare currency back to Sterling when you return to the UK. Generally speaking, you will not be able to use the old currency after 28th February 2002. The twelve countries are: Austria; Belgium; France; Finland; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Portugal; Spain