Banknotes are the same across the euro area, unlike coins, which, in addition to a common side, have a national side.
There are two series of euro banknotes:
- the first series, which was introduced in 2002, comprises seven denominations currently in circulation: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500;
- the Europa series, introduced gradually from 2013 to 2019, with six denominations in circulation (€5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200). Unlike the first series, the Europa series does not include the €500 denomination.
Eurosystem central banks have developed a new series to make euro banknotes even more secure and durable, incorporating advances in banknote technology.
Initially, the banknotes of the first series will circulate alongside those of the Europa series, but they will gradually be withdrawn.
The date when the banknotes of the first series will cease to be legal tender will be announced well in advance. However, they will retain their value indefinitely and will be exchangeable at euro area national central banks at any time.
Euro banknotes, regardless of their denomination, include:
- the name of the currency (euro) in both the Latin (EURO) and Greek (EYPΩ) alphabets, and, in the case of the Europa series, also in Cyrillic (EBPO);
- the initials of the European Central Bank (ECB). Due to EU enlargement, in the Europa series the number of linguistic variants increased from five to nine on €5, €10 and €20 banknotes and to ten on €50, €100 and €200 banknotes, to accommodate Croatia’s entry into the EU in 2013;
- the symbol © indicating copyright protection;
- the EU flag;
- the signature of the President of the ECB.
