The Bundesbank registered roughly 72,400 counterfeit euro banknotes in German payments in 2024. Thus, the number of counterfeits was up by 28 % compared with the previous year. 

Total loss arising from counterfeits down

The number of counterfeits detected rose in 2024 but, at the same time, the loss arising from counterfeiting went down, said Burkhard Balz, member of the Bundesbank’s Executive Board. In 2024, the nominal value of counterfeit banknotes amounted to €4.5 million, meaning that the total loss arising from counterfeits was 12 % lower than in the previous year. “This is because perpetrators have again tended increasingly towards introducing simple counterfeits of low denomination into transactions, Mr Balz remarked.

The incidence of counterfeit money remains moderate

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. Fewer counterfeits (around 33,800 banknotes) were detected in the second half of 2024 than in the first half of the year (38,600).

The Bundesbank most frequently registered counterfeit €50 banknotes. They account for around 40 % of the total number of recorded counterfeits, closely followed by €20 banknotes (28 %). At 1 %, €5 and €500 banknotes account for the smallest share of banknotes withdrawn from circulation. 

The number of counterfeit coins also rose in 2024, to a total of around 141,300 (previous year: 115,900). 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 remain easily identifiable

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

Counterfeit money is not eligible for replacement. The Bundesbank therefore recommends checking banknotes first-hand – using the “feel, look and tilt” method helps in this regard. 

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. The exceptions are the €5, €10 and some of the €20 banknotes from the Europa series. These are coated and therefore feel smooth and firm. However, to be on the safe side, the Bundesbank recommends checking other features as well.

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 up and 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.