The European Central Bank publishes most of the documentation behind euro banknotes. The list below collects the pages and press releases that this site relies on, grouped by topic so that a reader investigating a specific question can jump straight to the primary source.
Current banknotes
- Current banknotes Overview page for the euro banknote denominations currently in circulation.
- Design elements Architectural styles, colour codes and design choices behind euro banknotes.
- Images and reproduction rules Official images and the rules that apply to their reproduction.
First series and the 2002 changeover
- Initial changeover in 2002 Documentation of the first cash launch on 1 January 2002 across twelve countries.
- Overview of the euro Background on the euro as a single currency, including the cash and non-cash phases.
- Determination of the euro conversion rates Press release of 31 December 1998 fixing the irrevocable conversion rates between national currencies and the euro.
Europa series
- Europa series of euro banknotes The current production series, introduced gradually between 2013 and 2019.
- The new EUR 100 and EUR 200 banknotes Press release of 17 September 2018 unveiling the redesigned 100 and 200 euro notes.
- Public leaflet on the new EUR 100 and EUR 200 banknotes PDF leaflet for the public introducing the redesigned high denominations.
Future euro banknotes
- Future banknotes Hub page for the ongoing redesign work.
- Redesign process Step-by-step description of how the next series is being prepared.
- ECB selects Nature and Culture as themes for future euro banknotes Press release of 30 November 2023 announcing the two shortlisted themes.
- ECB selects motifs for future euro banknotes Press release of 31 January 2025 announcing the motif sets connected to each theme.
- Design contest for future euro banknotes launched Press release of 15 July 2025 opening the open design contest.
Security and anti-counterfeiting
- Security features The feel, look and tilt method together with feature-by-feature descriptions.
- Anti-counterfeiting Eurosystem strategy and reporting on counterfeit detection and prevention.
Production, statistics and environment
- Banknote production and stocks How euro banknotes are produced through the Eurosystem and how stocks are managed.
- Banknotes and coins production statistics Statistical pages on annual production allocations and circulation figures.
- The environmental footprint of euro banknotes ECB study of the lifecycle environmental impact of euro banknotes.
Legal tender, damaged banknotes and exchange
- Damaged and ink-stained banknotes How national central banks handle damaged, mutilated or ink-stained banknotes.
- Exchanging national cash Status of exchanges for pre-euro national banknotes and coins.
- Issuance and circulation How euro banknotes enter and re-enter circulation across the euro area.
- Minimum standards for automated fitness checking Technical standards for sorting machines that decide whether a banknote can be recirculated.
- ECB ends production and issuance of EUR 500 banknote Press release of 4 May 2016 announcing the discontinuation of the 500 euro note.
- Decision not to introduce very low denomination banknotes Press release of 18 November 2004 closing the question of issuing 1 and 2 euro banknotes.
Institutional and speeches
- Banknotes (Eurosystem tasks) Institutional page describing how banknote issuance is divided across the Eurosystem.
- Coins ECB overview of euro coins, including the role of Member States and national mints.
- New President of the European Central Bank Press release of 1 November 2019 marking the start of Christine Lagarde's mandate.
- Welcome address on signing the euro banknotes Christine Lagarde's first signature on euro banknotes, 27 November 2019.