Travelling to Czech Rep, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia this coming September '04. Will any of there countries be on the Euro by then, or still with their native currencies? Thanks.

I have heard that it will be a couple of years before these new EU countries change over to the euro.

There is no date for the accession countries - any of them - to join the Euro.

They will join when the ECB thinks they are ready. Unlikely before about 2007.

I just read recently that the new EU countries are staying with their national currencies for now.

Just a "politically correct" word to the wise. It is generally said that the countries you have mentioned chafe at being called "Eastern Europe" since they are in the dead center of Europe.

Eastern Europe is Russia and the other former republics of the old Soviet Union.

Best wishes,

Rex