German Bundesbank reports decline in counterfeit euro notes

The Deutsche Bundesbank said that around 30,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were removed from circulation in the first half of 2026, a drop from the previous year. The total financial loss from the fakes was estimated at €1.75 million. While the overall number of fakes fell, counterfeit 100‑euro notes rose, and the 50‑euro denomination remained the most frequently forged, accounting for about 47 % of all cases. Bundesbank board member Lutz Lienenkämper noted that, on average, seven fake notes are found per 10,000 residents, indicating that counterfeit money is now relatively rare in Germany.

The Bundesbank advises the public to use the “feel, see, tilt” test to spot fakes, highlighting security features such as tactile ridges, the emerald number, and the window strip. In parallel, courts are handling individual fraud cases. In Augsburg, a 33‑year‑old who printed a fake ten‑euro note was sentenced to a €7,800 fine, while prosecutors in Bavaria report a surge in counterfeit‑related investigations, with about 300 new cases in Munich alone during the first half of the year.