bank of holland

The Dutch guilder used to be the official currency of the Netherlands. When the European Union was formed in 1993, the Netherlands became a member country. On 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the Euro as a universal currency to be used by financial institutions in member countries. Three years later, on 1 January 2002, the Euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries. The Netherlands was the first of the 12 member countries to put its currency entirely out of circulation. The Dutch guilder passed into history with the introduction of the Euro which became the official unit of currency of Holland. Since then, Euro banknotes and coins have been in circulation and are an integral part of daily life in Holland.

The De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is responsible for the overall issue and circulation of Euro banknotes in the Netherlands. There are seven different denominations in the current Euro banknote series, ranging from the -5 to the -500 notes. The designs on the notes feature windows and archways (on the front) and bridges (on the reverse) from seven important architectural periods in the cultural history of Europe.

There are eight denominations of coins with different national designs on one side and a single European design on the other. The two designs of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, by Bruno Ninaber van Eyben, were chosen as the national design for Dutch Euro coins. The production and circulation of euro coins is not a duty of the Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). Dutch Euro coins are minted by the Royal Dutch Mint. Circulating these coins, however, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.

Under certain conditions, the Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) continues to exchange guilders for Euros. Guilder coins will be exchanged until 1 January 2007 and guilder banknotes until 1 January 2032. Big establishments including restaurants, hotels and airlines will accept credit cards, whereas smaller shops will insist on cash. Foreign money can be exchanged at banks and post offices. You can withdraw money in most cases from the Dutch offices of the credit card companies.