Banknotes
Banknotes are part of our economy, our identity and our culture – and we at the ECB have an immense responsibility to ensure that people maintain their trust in them.
The euro banknotes you carry in your wallet are the most tangible symbol of a united Europe. There are more than 29 billion euro banknotes in circulation with a total value of more than €1.5 trillion. We work to ensure that every single one of them is of a consistently high quality and is secure and safe to use anywhere in the world. This helps to foster confidence and trust in our single currency, both as a means of payment and as a store of value. If a digital euro were to be issued in the future, it would exist alongside cash and would not affect the role of euro banknotes.
Future banknotes
When developing future banknotes, we want to make sure that they are even more safe, secure and sustainable. And we want the new design to be inclusive and relatable to all Europeans. Find out about the different steps in the process and how you can get involved.
Future banknotesCurrent banknotes
There are two series of euro banknotes. The first series comprises seven different denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. The second, also known as the Europa series, consists of six denominations, as we decided to stop the issuance of €500 banknotes.
Denominations, design and security featuresAnti-counterfeiting
One of our main responsibilities is to make sure that the banknotes you receive are genuine. Find out more about what we do to stay ahead of counterfeiters and what you should do if you suspect you have received a counterfeit banknote.
Anti-counterfeitingDamaged and ink-stained banknotes
The national central banks in the euro area work to ensure that all euro banknotes are fit for use before recirculating them. Banknotes can get damaged accidentally, and occasionally by anti-theft devices. Learn about damaged or ink-stained banknotes and how you can get them exchanged.
Damaged and ink-stained banknotesBanknote production and stocks
The production of euro banknotes is a combined effort by the national central banks of the euro area and the ECB. Enough new banknotes need to be produced each year to replace unfit banknotes and to meet both anticipated and unexpected surges in demand.
Banknote productionEnvironment, health and safety
One of the objectives of our Cash 2030 strategy is to ensure that euro banknotes are both safe to use and sustainable. Ever since the euro was introduced, we have been committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our banknotes.
Environment, health and safetyResearch and development
We work to ensure that our banknotes are innovative and remain one step ahead of the latest counterfeiting techniques. We also devise environmentally sustainable solutions that can help to reduce the environmental footprint of our euro banknotes and processes.
Research and DevelopmentImages and reproduction rules
You are allowed to use images of euro banknotes provided you comply with our reproduction rules. You can download low-resolution images of euro banknotes marked with the word “specimen” directly from our website.
Images and reproduction rulesInformation and training materials
Our training materials contain information on euro coins, banknotes and their security features, suitable for the general public and cash professionals alike. You can download our materials or ask us to send you them as printed publications.
Information and training materialsEuro banknote videos
Discover how we produce, print and test euro banknotes in our entertaining videos.