Banknotes
There are two series of banknotes. The first series comprises seven different denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. The second series, or Europa series, consists of six denominations and was completed with the issuance of the €100 and €200 on 28 May 2019. The €500 banknote was not included in the Europa series and as of 27 April 2019 is no longer being issued. The first series of notes, originally issued in 2002, is gradually being replaced by the Europa series. All the notes are legal tender throughout the euro area.
- 28 May 2019
- Introduction of the new €100 and €200
- 17 September 2018
- Unveiling of the Europa series €100 and €200 banknotes
- 4 April 2017
Introduction of the new €50
- 5 July 2016
Unveiling of the Europa series €50 banknote
- 25 November 2015
- Introduction of the new €20
- 24 February 2015
- Unveiling of the Europa series €20 banknote
- 1 January 2015
- Adoption of the euro by Lithuania
- 23 September 2014
- Introduction of the new €10
- 13 January 2014
- Unveiling of the Europa series €10 banknote
- 1 January 2014
- Adoption of the euro by Latvia
- 2 May 2013
- Introduction of the new €5
- 10 January 2013
- Unveiling of the Europa series €5 banknote
- 8 November 2012
- ECB announces introduction of a second series of euro banknotes, named the Europa series
- 1 January 2011
- Adoption of the euro by Estonia
- 1 January 2009
- Adoption of the euro by Slovakia
- 1 January 2008
- Adoption of the euro by Cyprus and Malta
- 1 January 2007
- Adoption of the euro by Slovenia
- 1 January 2002
- Introduction of euro banknotes and coins in 12 EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain
On 27 January 2019, 17 of the 19 national central banks in the euro area stopped issuing €500 banknotes. In order to ensure a smooth transition and for logistical reasons, the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Oesterreichische Nationalbank stopped issuing the notes on 27 April 2019.
Existing €500 banknotes continue to be legal tender, so you can still use them as a means of payment and store of value (i.e. spend and save them). Similarly, banks, bureaux de change and other commercial parties can keep recirculating the existing €500 notes.
Like all denominations of euro banknotes, the €500 note will always retain its value and can be exchanged at a national central bank of the euro area at any time.