Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Travel to the Europe Union from the United States has become more convenient now that 16 European countries share a currency. The Netherlands, aka Holland, is one of those nations whose currency is the euro.
Introduced on Jan. 1, 1999, the euro was only used "virtually" by the European Union's banks and the financial markets for global trade.
Launched as a valid currency to the public in 2002, the citizens of 11 nations, including the Netherlands, began to trade in their former currencies for euros.
Exchanging guilders (Dutch: gulden) to euro was initiated by the European Central Bank (ECB), with the assistance of De Nederlandsche Bank, making the euro an everyday fact of life in the Netherlands and now 15 other European Union members.
Established as valid currency as use for tourism in 2002, one United States dollar purchased approximately 1.25 euros.
The dollar held its strength but eventually became worth less than the euro by hitting a low in mid-2008 with $1 purchasing 62 cents of a euro.
Conversion rates are still shifting at roller coaster levels, changing daily. Exchange dollars or euros at currency and financial institutions when visiting the Netherlands or returning back to the United States.