In 2024, the Bundesbank registered approximately 72,400 counterfeit euro banknotes with a nominal value of €4.5 million in German payments. The number of counterfeits was thus up by 28% on the year. 

“The number of counterfeits detected rose in 2024 but, at the same time, the loss arising from counterfeiting went down. This is because perpetrators have again tended increasingly towards introducing simple counterfeits of low denomination into transactions,” said Burkhard Balz, the Bundesbank Executive Board member whose remit includes cash management. As a result, the total loss arising from counterfeits in 2024 was 12% lower than in the previous year. “Overall, the incidence of counterfeit money remains moderate in scale: statistically speaking, in 2024 there were nine counterfeit banknotes per 10,000 inhabitants,” Mr Balz added.

The table below shows the distribution of counterfeits across the various denominations in 2024 and changes compared with 2023.

    

Banknotes	Number	Share (rounded)	Year-on-year change
€5	1,020	1%	+47%
€10	4,759	7%	+37%
€20	20,552	28%	+66%
€50	29,103	40%	+35%
€100	10,385	14%	+47%
€200	5,827	8%	-34%
€500	767	1%	-71%
Total	72,413

At around 33,800, the number of counterfeits detected in the second half of 2024 was lower than the figure for the first half of the year (38,600).

As in previous years, a large proportion of the counterfeits could easily be recognised as such. The banknotes have the words “MovieMoney” or “Prop copy” printed on them and do not mimic any of the security features found on a genuine banknote. On some of the specimens the label “MovieMoney” had been covered over and replaced with an imitation signature.

Recognising counterfeit banknotes

As counterfeit banknotes are not replaced, the Bundesbank strongly recommends checking banknotes using the “feel, look, tilt” method. It is advisable to compare a suspicious banknote with one definitely known to be genuine and to always check more than one security feature. 

All counterfeits can be identified by checking the following authentication features:

• Feel: 
  • Most euro banknotes have paper that is crisp and firm to the touch, which means it is possible to identify simple counterfeits just by feeling the banknote. However, to be on the safe side, the Bundesbank recommends checking other features as well. A coating was applied to €5 and €10 banknotes from the Europa series, as well as some of the Europa series €20 notes; those notes feel smooth and firm. Both coated and uncoated €20 banknotes are in circulation.
  • Raised print on the front of the banknotes can be identified by touch. For example, banknotes belonging to the Europa series have the letters “BCE ECB EЦБ EZB EKP EKT EKB BĊE EBC” (and “ESB” on denominations of €50 and above) down their left edge as well as a series of short lines on the left and right-hand edges.
• Look:
  • When any banknote is held against the light, the watermark appears as a shadowy image in the unprinted area. 
  • On denominations of €20 and above belonging to the Europa series, the upper section of the hologram contains a transparent window showing a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology.
• Tilt: 
  • An emerald number can be seen on the bottom left-hand side on the front of the banknotes belonging to the Europa series. When the banknote is tilted, the emerald number changes colour and the effect of a light stripe moving upand down becomes visible.
  • The hologram images change when the banknote is tilted. Rainbow-coloured effects appear around the motifs.
  • The €100 and €200 euro banknotes have been equipped with additional security features. The emerald number contains several euro symbols that change in colour. The hologram contains a satellite feature showing two euro symbols that move around the denomination number.

More counterfeit coins

In 2024, approximately 141,300 counterfeit coins were detected in German payments, compared with around 115,900 counterfeit coins in the previous year. Statistically, this equates to 17 counterfeit coins per 10,000 inhabitants in Germany. The increase was due to a number of companies accumulating coins that they suspected of being counterfeits over several years and then submitting them to the Bundesbank as a batch in 2024. There was also a rise in the number of counterfeit €2 coins being introduced into the payments system. 

Counterfeits were identified in only the three highest denominations, and their incidence in 2024 was as follows.

   

Coins	Number	Share (rounded)
50 cent	658	<1%
€1	5,607	4%
€2	135,067	96%
Total	141,332

At roughly 61,700, the number of counterfeit coins detected in the second half of 2024 was significantly lower than the figure registered in the first six months of the year (around 79,700).

Checking coins for authenticity

The following pointers can make it easier to identify genuine coins.

• On genuine euro coins, the motif stands out clearly from the background of the coin. By contrast, the image on counterfeit coins often appears blurred, and the surface of the coins may be uneven. 
• Counterfeits generally differ slightly in colour from genuine coins. 
• The edge inscriptions of genuine €2 coins are sharp. Those on counterfeit coins are frequently incomplete or irregular.
• Genuine €1 and €2 coins are only weakly magnetic. They are attracted to magnets but can be removed again with very little effort. Counterfeit coins, on the other hand, are usually either non-magnetic or are strongly attracted to magnets. 

Counterfeit prevention

Through its branch network, the Bundesbank provides training courses on counterfeit prevention free of charge to the banking industry, retailers and any other interested parties. In addition, the following online training modules (German only) can be accessed via the Bundesbank’s website.