Euro banknotes remain highly secure as counterfeit rates drop

The European Central Bank (ECB) has reported that 444,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2025, representing a 20 per cent decrease compared with the previous year.

The ECB said that the number of counterfeit euro banknotes remains very low compared with the volume of genuine banknotes in circulation, highlighting the continued reliability of euro cash.

According to the data, 14 counterfeit banknotes were detected per million genuine banknotes in circulation during 2025, representing one of the lowest levels recorded since the launch of the euro.

The ECB also confirmed that €20 and €50 banknotes continued to be the most frequently counterfeited denominations, accounting for around 80 per cent of all counterfeit notes withdrawn from circulation.

Geographically, 96.8 per cent of counterfeit euro banknotes were detected in euro area countries, while 2.2 per cent were found in non-euro area European Union member states and 1.0 per cent in other parts of the world.

Despite the existence of counterfeit banknotes, the ECB stressed that euro banknotes remain a safe and trusted means of payment across the euro area.

The central bank also reminded the public that the authenticity of euro banknotes can be verified using the simple “feel, look and tilt” method, which allows users to check key security features.

The Eurosystem, which comprises the ECB and national central banks of the euro area, also supports professional cash handlers by ensuring that banknote handling and processing machines that successfully pass testing can reliably identify counterfeit notes and remove them from circulation.

The ECB also advised members of the public that if they receive a suspicious banknote, they should compare it with one known to be genuine.

If suspicions are confirmed, individuals should contact the police or, depending on national practice, their national central bank or their own retail or commercial bank.

The ECB also said that the Eurosystem actively supports law enforcement authorities in efforts to combat currency counterfeiting.

Separate data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) showed that 670 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in Cyprus during 2025, representing an increase of 17.1 per cent compared with 2024.

According to the central bank, the €50 banknote recorded the highest level of counterfeiting in Cyprus, accounting for 45.4 per cent of all counterfeit banknotes detected on the island.

The CBC also confirmed the broader European Central Bank figures showing that approximately 444,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn globally in 2025, representing a 20 per cent decline compared with 2024.

The data also confirmed that €50 and €20 banknotes remained the most commonly counterfeited denominations worldwide, accounting for 80.2 per cent of all counterfeit euro notes withdrawn from circulation.

The ECB further reported that 96.8 per cent of counterfeit euro banknotes were detected in euro area countries, while 2.2 per cent were found in non-euro area EU member states and 1 per cent in other parts of the world.

Despite the existence of counterfeit notes, the overall quantity remains extremely small compared with the total number of genuine euro banknotes in circulation.

Nevertheless, the CBC advised the public to remain vigilant and carefully check banknotes when conducting cash transactions.

The central bank also stated that both its own and European Central Bank website provide detailed guidance on simple methods for verifying the authenticity of euro banknotes.