Euro Changeover in Latvia

The 2003 Latvian European Union membership referendum took place on 20 September 2003 to decide whether Latvia should join the European Union. Just like the other new EU member states, Latvia has agreed to introduce the euro, upon joining the Community. This obligation is stipulated in the EU Treaty. As of the moment of their accession, the new EU member states have also become members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which is the highest stage of the EU member states' economic integration with the single currency, the euro. Latvia will become a full-fledged member of the EMU and introduce the euro once it has met meets its economic obligation (Maastricht criteria).

The euro changeover date has not been named, yet. To fully prepare for common European currency introduction the government of Latvia plans to name the euro changeover date at least two years (24 months) before the planned euro changeover or € day. This principle is set in the National Euro Changeover Plan.

The euro changeover is a common project of the whole state - public administration institutions, organisations, entrepreneurs and citizens - rather than a project of some part of society.