The euro

The seemingly counterfeit money

The Viva Kids return to their tree house from a school trip to Konstanz. Laura pulls a handful of euro coins from her pocket. But what's that? One coin looks completely different than the others. It couldn't be counterfeit, could it?

Level of knowledge: master

Become a euro detective

Ask your parents for some euro coins and banknotes and compare them with Swiss francs. What do you notice? What coins are there? What do five Swiss francs look like? And five euros?

Laura holding a magnifying glass.

Level of knowledge: professional

Level of knowledge: expert

Did you know...

There are nine countries in the European Union that have their own currencies rather than the euro. For example, people in the Czech Republic pay with koruna, in Poland with zloty, and in the UK with the pound sterling. The other countries that do not pay in euros are Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Hungary.

Ben in a kilt with bagpipes.

Although Switzerland is in Europe, people pay in Swiss francs rather than in euros. Why?

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and so did not bring in the euro as its currency.

The Swiss franc has always been a very good currency. That's why Switzerland wanted to keep the Swiss franc.

The euro zone countries have to follow the common rules and decisions to do with money.

For Switzerland, it is important to make its own decisions about money and to be independent. That would not be possible with the euro.

But the fact that everyone uses the same currency in all the countries around us also has advantages for Switzerland.

For example, it is easier to travel in Europe because you only need to change money once – from Swiss francs to euros.

Because all the countries surrounding Switzerland use the euro, people can withdraw Swiss francs and euros at most Swiss ATMs.

Why don't people pay in euros in Switzerland?

Why don't people pay in euros in Switzerland?

What euro experts know

1. The euro is the shared currency of the European Union. At present, people use it in 19 countries.
2. The banknotes and the fronts of the coins are the same everywhere. Each country can decide what goes on the back of the coins.
3. The European Central Bank in Frankfurt am Main in Germany is responsible for the euro.
4. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and so has its own currency.

Jan with a light bulb

Jan's first euro

Jan is really proud of his very first Viva Kids Maestro card. He chose the black card because it matches his skateboard best – really cool.

Tomorrow, Jan is going to visit some relatives in Italy with his parents, and he's allowed to withdraw some more money for this from an ATM. He can decide whether he wants euros or Swiss francs. He withdraws euros of course – otherwise, he won't be able to buy anything in Italy.

As he's going home from the ATM by skateboard, he wonders: "What would happen if there was no more money?"

Image of Jan with his skateboard by the ATM.

Hello bank!

Take a look at the inside of a bank. You can empty your Digipigi there. At the counter or at the ATM. Either way, you can pick up a surprise from the Viva Kids World when you're done.

Sophie with Digipigi in front of the bank