[jevinskie]

I see. So they have been in a situation similar to the UK since 2004 until now? Thanks for the info!

Edit: After looking it up, there are 28 countries in the EU and 18 of them are in the eurozone.

[dualogy]

EU countries other than UK and Denmark (who joined much earlier) are both required and allowed to adopt EUR as currency only as soon as they fulfill certain economic/fiscal criteria (don't have the exact figures in my head, easy to search though), whether intentionally or accidentally.

Hence.

[DasIch]

Actually no. The UK is special in that they do not have to join the eurozone unless they want to all other EU members have to join the eurozone once they fullfil the necessary criteria.

[romanovcode]

>So they have been in a situation similar to the UK since 2004 until now?

Yes.. ..except not as many immigrants from 3rd world countries.

[dualogy]

> from 3rd world countries

from ex UK colonies -- FTFY ;)