National Counterfeit Centre

Pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 European Union Member States shall designate or establish coin and banknote counterfeiting analysis centres, in accordance with their national law and practice.

Counterfeit analysis centres in Europe are: the Counterfeit Analysis Centre for banknote counterfeiting analysis, and the European Technical and Scientific Centre for coin counterfeiting analysis.

At national level, national counterfeit centres have been established within national central banks. They are responsible for the application of good coordination and interlinking practices between the national analysis centres and European laboratories that analyse counterfeit banknotes and coins.

Main task

The main task of the National Counterfeit Centre, operating within Banco de Portugal, is to promote measures aimed at combating counterfeiting and increasing awareness of euro banknotes and coins and their counterfeits.

The Centre’s activities cover different areas, which are linked to the fulfilment of its obligations towards the European Central Bank and the organisational scheme implemented in Portugal. This scheme provides for shared responsibilities regarding counterfeit analysis centres between the Central Bank and the criminal police (Polícia Judiciária).