Helmut Schmidt, who served as West German Chancellor from 1974 to 1982, has died aged 96, his office says.

Mr Schmidt, who was a Social Democrat, was an architect of the European Monetary System, which linked EU currencies and was a key step on the path to the euro.

He was credited with helping to consolidate the country's post-war economic boom.

He is seen as one of the most popular German leaders since WWII.

Mr Schmidt died on Tuesday afternoon in his home city of Hamburg, his doctor Heiner Greten was quoted as saying by German media.

The doctor provided no further details.

Reacting to the news, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he was "deeply affected" by the death.

"He was an outstanding chancellor, his death marks a turning point for Germany and Europe," he said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The news of the death of Helmut Schmidt has moved me deeply."

He added that Europe lost "a special man whose political courage has moved many."

Paying tribute to Mr Schmidt, French President Francois Hollande described him as "a great European".

"He was a man who, until his final breath, knew how to give a speech and especially to tell Germans that they had a role to play... that it was within Europe that they should act", Mr Hollande said.