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Summary:
- Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, making travel there simpler.
- Six EU countries still don’t use the euro as their official currency.
- Denmark is a special case with a formal opt-out from the euro.
- Paying in local currency by card is usually cheaper than paying in euros.
- Cash is rarely needed in Sweden, but it can help in parts of Romania and Hungary.
- A small border routine prevents leftover coins and last-minute stress.
Bulgaria joining the euro is good news for travelers who hate juggling currencies. One less exchange, one less conversion, one less “wait… is this pricey?” moment when you’re tired and hungry.
But if you assume the euro now covers the entire EU, you’ll still get surprised. Several EU countries keep their own currency, and you usually notice it right when you’re trying to pay for a tram ticket, a coffee, or a quick snack.
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The 6 EU countries where euros still won’t cut it
Let’s get straight to it. In 2026, these EU countries do not use the euro as their official currency.
| Country | Currency | Code | The quick traveler takeaway |
| Hungary | Forint | HUF | Prices look wild at first. Don’t panic. |
| Czech Republic | Czech koruna | CZK | Mostly card-friendly, but cash still helps sometimes. |
| Poland | Zloty | PLN | Easy travel, but conversion fees can pile up. |
| Romania | Leu | RON | Cash can still matter outside big cities. |
| Sweden | Swedish krona | SEK | Often card-only. Euros won’t get you far. |
| Denmark | Danish krone | DKK | A special case, and it’s staying that way. |
A quick reality check. In some tourist zones you might see prices shown in euros. But that’s usually a courtesy, not a promise. If a place accepts euros, you’ll often pay extra through a bad exchange rate. So unless you enjoy overpaying for a simple sandwich, don’t count on it.
Denmark, the EU country that basically said “no, thanks”
Most EU countries outside the eurozone are expected to adopt the euro one day, at least on paper.
Denmark isn’t playing that game. The country has a formal opt-out, secured after a referendum in 2000. Translation for travelers. Denmark isn’t “waiting” to join. It’s not temporary. It’s the plan.
Denmark is also where euro assumptions get people into trouble because tourists often arrive from euro countries, almost everything is paid by card, and prices are high enough that even small conversion mistakes sting.
It’s not dramatic. It’s just annoying. And it’s avoidable.
How to spend smart, without overthinking it
You don’t need a spreadsheet. You need a few habits that keep your trip smooth and your bank fees low.
1) When the card machine gives you a choice, pick the local currency
In Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, and the rest, payment terminals often ask you to choose between paying in local currency or paying in euros.
The euro option sounds convenient. It isn’t. Most of the time, paying in euros means you accept the merchant’s conversion rate, or the processor’s, which is rarely generous. Paying in local currency lets your bank do the conversion, and it’s usually the better deal.
Rule of thumb. Local currency almost always wins.
2) Don’t exchange big chunks of cash “just in case”
This is how people end up with leftover money they can’t use later. Airport exchange booths also tend to be expensive.
A better approach is simple. Use your card for daily spending, withdraw a small amount only if you need it, and keep euros for the eurozone part of your trip.
You’ll travel lighter. And you’ll lose less in fees.
3) Know where cash still helps, and where it’s almost useless
Europe is inconsistent here, even within the EU.
In Sweden, you can go days without cash, and in some places you can’t even use it. In Romania, a bit of cash can still save you when you leave major cities. In Hungary, markets and smaller spots can still be cash-first.
So don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Take a flexible one.
4) Use a simple “border-crossing routine”
This is the low-stress way to handle multi-country trips.
- Day 1. Make a small cash withdrawal (optional, depending on the country).
- Middle of the trip. Mostly card payments.
- Last 48 hours. Spend down the cash, especially coins.
It keeps things clean, and it prevents the classic situation where you’re leaving with random coins you’ll never use again.
The mistakes people keep making, so you don’t
Most travel money problems aren’t caused by bad planning. They’re caused by assumptions.
Here are the big ones. Assuming euros work everywhere because it’s the EU. Choosing “pay in euros” at checkout without thinking. Exchanging at airports out of convenience. Forgetting that small fees add up when you cross multiple borders. Leaving a country with a pocket full of coins you’ll never use again.
Want the quick fix? Keep it simple. Pay in local currency on terminals. Use card most of the time. Withdraw small amounts only when needed. That trio solves almost everything, and it’s a calmer way to travel.
Why don’t these countries just switch already?
From the outside, it can feel odd. You can cross borders freely. Travel is easy. The EU feels connected. And yet currencies still change.
The reasons vary, but the practical takeaway is simple. These currencies aren’t going away anytime soon. For each country, it’s tied to economic policy, public opinion, and national choices.
As a traveler, you don’t need to follow the full debate. You just need to plan like someone who knows what’s coming.
Bottom line, Bulgaria joined the euro, but you’ll still need a plan
Bulgaria’s switch to the euro in 2026 is great news. But it doesn’t make Europe a single-currency zone.
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If you’re heading to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Sweden, or Denmark, expect to pay in the local currency. Keep your card ready. Choose local currency at terminals. Carry a small cash backup when it makes sense. You’ll move through these countries with zero friction.
And once you get used to it, it becomes part of the fun. Europe still has its quirks, and that’s why it never feels boring.
