The Bundesbank will replace damaged euro and Deutsche Mark banknotes if more than half of the note is presented or it can be proved that the missing (larger) part of the banknote has been destroyed.

Die auf die Publikation "Mein Euro Spiel- und Rechengeld" abgestimmten Arbeitsblätter unterstützen Kinder dabei, das Aussehen und den Wert der Euro-Münzen und Euro-Banknoten sowie die Euro-Länder kennenzulernen.

The Counterfeit Money Unit's task is to examine and store counterfeit money of any currency which is seized in Germany or confiscated by the police. We also check the authenticity of payment cards, securities, traveller's cheques and gold and silver coins which are legal tender. Another focal point of our work is to prevent the circulation of counterfeit money.

Facts and Figures

Even after the introduction of the euro, responsibility for the coin prerogative still lies with the competent national authorities; in Germany this is the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Bundesbank, for its part, is entrusted with the task of ensuring that a sufficient range of payment mediums are available to support the execution of payments.

In the period from January to June 2024, the Bundesbank removed significantly more counterfeit money from circulation in Germany than in the six months prior, detecting around 38,600 counterfeit euro banknotes with a nominal value of €2.4 million. This was 29% more than in the second half of 2023. Meanwhile, the total loss arising from counterfeit banknotes was only slightly up, by just under 5%. The increase was driven by easily identifiable counterfeits, especially of €10 and €20 banknotes, said Burkhard Balz, the Bundesbank’s Executive Board member whose remit includes cash management.

Broschüre mit Abbildungen der nationalen Münzseiten und der deutschen Sammlermünzen.

It is generally possible to exchange an unlimited amount of DEM banknotes and coins indefinitely and free of charge at all Bundesbank branches, or by post via our Mainz branch.

Please use the online registration form to announce your visit.