The following countries are in the Eurozone: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.

Denmark, Sweden, and the UK are not in the Eurozone.

Currently 1 Euro = 62 pence.

Money Box contacted the following high street banks to find out what they have to offer their personal customers in terms of euro current accounts. We received the following responses. For further details please contact the individual bank.

HSBC
The HSBC Euro Current Account
Facilities: Cheque book and overdraft facility available. No debit card available.
Charges: �2.50 account maintenance charge per month, each cheque costs 60p to write. Commission of 1% on any money credited to the account including Sterling and Euros.
Interest: Tiered rates effective from 4th December: Up to 9,999 Euros 0.25%, 10,000 - 49,999 Euros 0.5%, 50,000 - 149,999 Euros 0.75%, 150,000 - 499,999 Euros 1%, 500,000 - 999,999 Euros 1.25%. 1000,000 Euros + 1.25%
Terms: No minimum opening balance required and you do not need to be an HSBC customer to open the account.
Opening an account: For further information, call the HSBC business line on: 08457 43 44 45. A leaflet: "The Euro in Your Pocket" is available in branches and includes details of the accounts available.

BARCLAYS
Barclays Euro Account
Facilities: Cheque book and overdraft facility available. No debit card available.
Charges: Cheque books and writing cheques is free and there is no monthly maintenance charge for the account. You will be able to deposit notes into your euro account, subject to the usual currency handling fees.
Interest: It is the standard current account credit rate of 0.1%
Terms: No minimum opening balance required, however the account is only available to personal customers who have a Current Account in Sterling with Barclays Bank PLC in the UK.
Opening an account: Enquire at your local branch, visit www.barclays.co.uk or telephone the special Euro helpline: 0845 600 6664.

LLOYDS TSB
Euro Off Shore Debit Account
Facilities: Visa debit card available. No cheque book or overdraft facility available.
Charges: Annual account maintenance fee of 50 Euros. Standard charges apply for withdrawls on the debit card.
Interest: From 2,000 Euros 0.15%, from 10,000 Euros 0.2%, from 25,000 Euros 0.25%, from 50,000 Euros 0.5%, from 100,000 Euros 1%, from 250,000 Euros 1.5%.
Terms: Minimum opening balance of 2,000 Euros . You do not need to be an existing Lloyds TSB customer to open this account.
Opening an account: This account is managed off shore in Jersey, the best way to find out more is to ask initially at your local branch. Or visit: www.treasury.lloydstsb-offshore.com

NATWEST
The Nat West Euro Currency Account
Facilities: Cheque book and overdraft facility available. No debit card available.
Charges: There is no maintenance fee as long as the minimum balance of 2,500 Euros is maintained - if you go below this amount there is a �10 fee per quarter. Statements and transfers are free.
Interest: There is no interest paid on this account. Nat West does offer the "Euro Currency Reserve Account" - a savings account that pays tiered rates of interest.
Terms: You don't have to be an existing Nat West customer to open the account, there is a minimum opening balance of 2,500 Euros.
Opening An Account: Brochures are available in all branches with application forms enclosed.

BANK OF SCOTLAND
The Bank of Scotland Euro Current Account
Facilities: Cheque book and overdraft facility available. No debit card available.
Charges: No maintenance charges, when writing cheques abroad - variable charges will apply.
Interest: For balances up to 45,000 Euros interest is paid at the European Central Bank base rate less 3%. From 45,000 - 85,000 Euros the rate is ECB base rate less 2%. From 85,000 to 175,0000 Euros the rate is ECB base rate less 1%. From 175,000 to 525,000 Euros the rate is ECB base rate less 0.75%
Terms: No minimum opening balance, but you do need to be an existing Bank Of Scotland customer.
Opening An Account: Enquire at your local branch to obtain an application form.

FIRST DIRECT
First Direct offer the HSBC Euro Account (see details above)

ABBEY NATIONAL
The Euro Bank Account - offered through Cater Allen, part of the Abbey National Group.
Facilities: Euro visa debit card (if you withdraw cash abroad or pay for something electronically you do not pay any charges using this card). No cheque book or overdraft facility available.
Charges: Free banking for up to 50 transactions per month. You can transfer euros into other currencies from this account without charge.
Terms: Minimum opening balance of �5,000 or Euro equivalent. If you drop below the minimum balance, no interest will be paid.
Interest: From �5,000 0.5%. From �10,000 1.5%. From �250,000 2%
Opening An Account: Telephone the Cater Allen freephone number:0800 716 177 or visit www.caterallen.co.uk - you can apply online.