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    Who is it that beeps?

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Frequently asked questions: Euro banknotes

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Frequently asked questions about the euro banknotes

Please read the following information before contacting the Bundesbank.

24 results
  • Where can I obtain euro banknotes?

    Credit institutions put euro banknotes into circulation primarily via their ATMs. Particularly in the case of high-value denominations, e.g. €200 banknotes, withdrawals are also made over the counter.

  • What is shown on euro banknotes?

    The two euro banknote series were inspired by the theme of “the ages and styles of Europe”. Windows and gateways form the main elements on the obverse side of the banknotes, while bridges are the main feature on the reverse. These images do not, however, depict real buildings, but represent stylised architectural examples from the chosen epoch.

    The bridges on the banknotes represent various periods and architectural styles of European cultural history:

    • €5 banknote: Classical
    • €10 banknote: Romanesque
    • €20 banknote: Gothic
    • €50 banknote: Renaissance
    • €100 banknote: Baroque and rococo
    • €200 banknote: Iron and glass architecture of the 19th century
    • €500 banknote: 20th century architecture

    The banknotes of the first series were designed by Austrian artist Robert Kalina. Reinhold Gerstetter, an independent banknote designer from Berlin, was commissioned to rework the design for the Europa series.

    The leitmotif was also retained in the second series of banknotes, although the design was changed slightly to better accommodate new security features and to allow for easier distinction between the two series.

    In addition to the names of the currency in the Latin (EURO) and Greek (EYPΩ) alphabets, the Cyrillic designation (EBPO) has been included in the second series of banknotes, because all three scripts are used in the European Union. In this regard, it is irrelevant whether the European country whose script is printed on the banknotes has actually adopted the euro as its national currency (the Cyrillic script for Bulgaria, for example). In addition, the number of linguistic variants of the ECB’s initials was expanded from five to nine (denominations from €5 to €20) and then to ten variants following Croatia’s accession to the EU (denominations of €50 and above).

  • Whose signatures can be found on euro banknotes?

    The Deutsche Bundesbank and other Eurosystem central banks are also gradually issuing euro banknotes which bear the signature of Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) since 1 November 2019.

    All other characteristics of these banknotes correspond to those bearing the signatures of previous ECB Presidents, Willem F. Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet or Mario Draghi. Euro banknotes with these four signatures circulate in parallel and are legal tender.

    Christine Lagarde
    from 2019

    Signature of Christine Lagarde on a banknote of the Europa series (ES) (since 2019)

    Mario Draghi
    2011 – 2019

    Signature of Mario Draghi on a banknote in the Europa series (ES1) (2011-2019)

    Jean-Claude Trichet
    2003 – 2011

    Signature of Jean-Claude Trichet on a banknote in the Europa series (ES1) (2003-2011)

    Willem F. Duisenberg
    1998 – 2003

    Signature of Wim Duisenberg on a banknote of the Europa series (ES1) (1998-2003)

  • Which regions are depicted on the reverse of the euro banknotes?

    The following islands and overseas departments appear low down on the reverse of the euro banknotes: Azores, the Canary Islands, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Madeira, Martinique and Réunion.

  • Were specific steps taken to make it easier for the blind and partially sighted to recognise the various euro banknotes?

    The European Blind Union has been involved since the start of the concept phase for euro banknotes (1995), as a good design for blind and visually impaired people benefits everyone. The banknotes are very user-friendly overall.

    Each of the seven denominations has a different size. This makes it easy for blind and partially sighted people to recognise banknotes. The increased use of intaglio printing means that some elements of the banknote design appear embossed. For example, the large numbers (i.e. the banknote denomination) on the obverse side are raised slightly above the surface and can be identified by touch. Using the same printing technique, different patterns of raised lines specific to each denomination are applied on the left and right edges. 

    The following features of the various banknotes also aid visually impaired people:

    • Each banknote has its own predominant colour (for example, blue in the case of the €20 banknote).
    • Strongly contrasting colours have been chosen to distinguish between the successive denominations (for example, the €10 banknote is red while the €20 note is blue).
    • The values of the banknotes are shown in large, highly legible figures.
  • Who produces euro banknotes?

    For reasons of efficiency, the ECB assigns the printing and production of euro banknotes to various different national central banks (NCBs). The volume produced or procured by the individual NCBs is determined by their share in the ECB’s capital. The banknote printing works accredited by the ECB to print euro banknotes located in Germany are the Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin and Giesecke & Devrient in Leipzig. At present, twelve high-security banknote printing works across Europe are accredited by the ECB for the production of euro banknotes.

  • What does the serial number tell us?

    The serial numbers on the second series are the two numbers printed on the back of the banknote: a horizontal number printed in black and a vertical number printed in a different colour. The horizontal number comprises two letters and ten digits. The first letter identifies the printing works. The second letter has no particular meaning; it simply makes more serial numbers possible.

    Printing worksCode letter
    Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique

    Z

    Bank of Greece

    Y

    Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology GmbH (Munich)

    X

    Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology GmbH (Leipzig)

    W

    Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre

    V

    Banque de France

    U

    Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland

    T

    Banca d'Italia

    S

    Bundesdruckerei GmbH

    R

    Joh. Enschede Security Printing BV

    P

    Oesterreichische Banknoten und
    Sicherheitsdruck GmbH

    N

    Valora

    M

    Not assigned

    L

    Not assigned

    K

    De La Rue Currency (Gateshead)

    J

    De La Rue Currency (Loughton)

    H

    Not assigned

    G

    Oberthur Fiduciaire A.D.

    F

    Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS

    E

    Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych

    D

    Not assigned

    C

    Not assigned

    B

    Not assigned

    A

    By contrast, the euro banknotes of the first series bear a letter or country code to indicate which central bank commissioned the printing of the banknotes.

  • Can I obtain euro banknotes with specific serial numbers?

    No. Issuing banknotes with specific numbers, for example for collectors' purposes, is not possible for organisational reasons.

  • Where was the initial supply of euro banknotes printed?

    The initial supply of euro banknotes was printed in various countries. See the precise locations in the following table.

    Country

    City

    Production plant

    Austria

    Vienna

    Österreichische Banknoten- und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH

    Belgium

    Brussels

    Nationale Bank van Belgie / Banque Nationale de Belgique

    Finland

    Vantaa

    Setec Oi

    France

    Chantepie

    Oberthur

    Germany

    Berlin

    Bundesdruckerei

    Germany

    Leipzig/Munich

    Giesecke & Devrient

    Great Britain

    Gateshead

    De La Rue

    Greece

    Athens

    Bank of Greece

    Ireland

    Dublin

    Central Bank and Financial Services Autority of Ireland

    Italy

    Rome

    Banca d’Italia

    Netherlands

    Harlem

    Johan Enschede & Zn.

    Portugal

    Carregado

    Valora

    Spain

    Madrid

    Fábríca Nacional de Moneda y Timbre


  • How much does it cost to produce a banknote?

    Banknote production costs depend on various factors, e.g. the size of the banknote, the integrated security features, and the production volume. It costs an average of around 8 cents to produce a euro banknote.

  • What is the life cycle of banknotes?
    Average life spans of euro banknotes
    Average life spans of euro banknotes

    The life cycle of a banknote usually depends on its face value. The more common banknotes with smaller denominations (€5, €10, €20, €50) circulate for between one and four years as a rule. Banknotes with larger denominations (€100, €200, €500) can sometimes have a much longer lifespan of more than ten years. Generally speaking, the higher the denomination, the longer the banknote remains in circulation.

  • What are the statutory obligations regarding the acceptance of euro banknotes?

    In accordance with article 128 (1) sentence 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), article 16 (1) sentence 3 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (ESCB Statute), and article 10 sentence 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 on the introduction of the euro, euro banknotes are the only banknotes which have the unrestricted status of legal tender in all participating member states. Section 14(1) sentence 2 of the Bundesbank Act (Bundesbankgesetz) repeats the regulatory content of the above-mentioned Union legislation within the Bundesbank Act’s scope of application.

    Therefore, by virtue of public law, everyone is required to accept payments in euro banknotes as proper fulfillment of a financial obligation to avoid legal detriment. However, under German civil law, as a general rule, the principle of freedom of contract applies. This principle allows those involved in a legal transaction to freely determine contractual content. The parties to a transaction can accordingly also agree on or rule out a certain method of fulfillment. In this respect, the principle of freedom of contract supersedes the above-mentioned provisions in public law, which require any party to accept payments made with legal tender as proper fulfillment of a financial obligation. Public law likewise recognises restrictions regarding payments in cash: as a general rule, it is no longer possible to settle tax liabilities by making a cash payment to the local collection office.

  • Is there a risk of viruses being transmitted via banknotes?
    • The Eurosystem conducts regular research into the potential impact of the production and circulation of euro banknotes on public health, including in relation to viruses. Further investigations regarding the coronavirus are being carried out.
    • As with normal seasonal influenza and as on any other surface (e.g. door handles, hand rails, payment terminals), respiratory droplets of a person infected with a virus deposited on a banknote could survive for a limited period
    • The probability of contagion with a virus via a banknote is very low in comparison with other surfaces. People make on average 1.2 cash payments per day in the euro area, so it is more likely that they get infected by other objects which they touch more frequently.
    • Germany’s Robert Koch Institute confirmed recently that “virus transmission through banknotes has no particular significance”.
    • The basic protective measures against the new coronavirus should be applied as recommended by the World Health Organisation, including washing your hands frequently.
  • How can you recognise counterfeit banknotes?

    The “feel, look and tilt” test to verify the authenticity of banknotes should be used:

      • FEEL: Raised print, e.g. on the edges, as well as on the large denomination number (ES2)
      • LOOK: Portrait window (ES2), watermark and security thread are visible security features
      • TILT: The portrait window, portrait hologram and the emerald number (all ES2) change visibly when the banknote is tilte

    Principle

    Attribute

    Explanation

    5

    10

    20

    50

    100

    200

    Feel

    Raised print on edges

    Raised lines specific to each denomination

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Large denomination number

    Tactile surface marking

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Look

    Portrait window in the hologram

    Portrait of Europa is visible when the banknote is held against the light (on obverse or reverse side)

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Watermark

    Elements

    Portrait of Europa in conjunction with the architectural style of the respective epoch

    Denomination




    x





    x




    x



    x



    x



    x

    Security thread

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Tilt

    Portrait window

    When the banknote is tilted, several rainbow-coloured numbers corresponding to the respective denomination can be seen

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Portrait hologram

    The portrait of Europa, the respective architectural motive, several instances of the € symbol or the respective denomination number can be seen on the obverse side, depending on the angle from which the banknote is viewed

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    Emerald number

    Glossy denomination number (on the obverse side) that, when titled, displays a band of light that moves up and down. Depending on the angle from which it is viewed, the colour of the denomination number changes from emerald green to deep blue as the band of light moves up and down. On the €100 and €200 banknotes, € symbols can also be seen.

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    x

    It will still be possible to use this method to recognise counterfeit euro banknotes in the future.

  • What should I do if I come into contact with counterfeit banknotes?

    You will find information on how to deal with counterfeit money in the “Counterfeit money” section on our website. Here you will also find a “Guide to recognising counterfeit money”.

    Internal link

    • Counterfeit money
  • Why is a new series of banknotes to be introduced?

    The new euro banknotes incorporate new advances in the area of banknote technology. The new safety features offer better protection against counterfeiting and make the banknotes even more secure. This makes the work of counterfeiters more difficult. Credit institutions, professional cash handlers and the general public must be able to identify counterfeits. By doing so, they help to support the Eurosystem’s strategy on counterfeit prevention. Furthermore, the new series is intended to improve the durability of the banknotes, as smaller denominations are subject to particularly heavy wear and tear.

  • Who designed the new euro banknotes?

    Reinhold Gerstetter, an independent banknote designer, was selected to refresh the design  for the Europa series.

  • When was the second series of banknotes first issued?

    The banknotes were first issued on the following dates:

    €5: 2 May 2013

    €10: 23 September 2014

    €20: 25 November 2015

    €50: 4 April 2017

    €100/€200: 28 May 2019

    Detalis of the new security features

    • Counterfeit detection
  • Have the measurements of the new banknotes changed?

    The measurements of the €5, €10, €20 and €50 banknotes from the new series have remained the same. The length of the €100 and €200 banknotes in the Europa series is unchanged. Compared with the €100 and €200 banknotes from the first series, the height has been reduced from 82 mm to 77 mm, with the goal of improved handling of banknotes, for example when putting them in a wallet.

  • Can blind and partially sighted people easily distinguish between the new banknotes?

    Organisations representing people with impaired vision were also involved in the development of the new series. The raised print on the edges of the banknotes allows blind and partially sighted people to distinguish between the individual denominations.

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