Last June, Italian Carabinieri raided a counterfeiting ring in Lecce, Italy, seizing over €100,000 in fake bills. But these busts are becoming rare, thanks to cutting-edge security features that are making it nearly impossible to successfully counterfeit euros. Europe’s top security printing firms, trusted by the European Central Bank (ECB), are at the forefront of this fight.
Criminals crave the euro, but it’s a nightmare to counterfeit. Despite repeated attempts, counterfeiters are struggling to keep up with the relentless innovation behind euro banknotes. With every passing year, the tiny fraction of fake bills in circulation proves just how tough these notes are to replicate. This is all thanks to advanced security features, some so secret only the ECB and a select few manufacturers know about them.
Since the launch of the “Europa” series between 2013 and 2019, counterfeit rates have plummeted. Even when counterfeit bills do surface, they’re easier than ever to spot, as the legitimate notes’ security only gets better. Take Germany, for instance—38,600 fake euro bills were circulating in the first half of 2024, but most of them were easily identifiable. Burkhard Balz of the Bundesbank attributes this to the growing sophistication of security features. “The increase was driven by easily identifiable counterfeits, especially of € 10 and € 20 banknotes,” he said.
In 2023, only 467,000 fake euro banknotes were pulled from circulation—one of the lowest figures ever. And with the next generation of euros poised to introduce even tougher security, counterfeiters are in for a losing battle.
Expertise and innovation: the first line of defence
The secret to staying ahead of counterfeiters? Expertise and relentless innovation. Leading the charge is a specialized group of elite security printers with powerhouse R&D departments, determined to keep one step ahead of criminal networks.
French security printer Oberthur Fiduciaire is at the cutting edge. CEO Thomas Savare puts it bluntly: “We have to innovate constantly to stay several steps ahead of counterfeiters. It’s not just about security—it’s about building trust with central banks and the public.” Oberthur Fiduciaire, with 70 central banks on its client list, knows the stakes are high. Their innovation arsenal includes everything from holograms to colour-changing inks, making their banknotes a serious challenge to forge.
But it’s not just about technology. Security printers like Oberthur Fiduciaire undergo strict accreditation from central banks, ensuring they’re always at the top of their game. Savare knows this trust isn’t handed out easily—it’s earned through years of proving they can protect currency from increasingly sophisticated counterfeiters. According to him, this is not a fad, but a necessity to combat counterfeiters “who have become professional and organised.”
Oberthur Fiduciaire invests heavily in R&D to outwit counterfeiters at every turn. Their high-tech products feature 3D security threads, fluorescent coatings, and complex anti-copy designs, creating a fortress of security that’s nearly impossible to break. By pushing the limits of innovation and partnering closely with central banks, they’re ensuring euro banknotes stay untouchable, a vital part of Europe’s economic stability.
Innovation drives trust
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), another global security printing giant, is also crucial in the fight. They’ve spent decades refining the security of euro banknotes, developing new tech that makes forgery almost impossible.
From intricate holograms to watermarks and advanced microprinting, G+D pulls out all the stops to stay ahead of counterfeiters. Their collaboration with central banks ensures their innovations remain a step ahead of criminal syndicates. Dr. Wolfram Seidemann, CEO of G+D Currency Technology, proudly states that “banknotes are the safest means of payment in the world,” with a 99.9975% security rate according to ECB research
The goal? Seamlessly blend security and ease of use, making euro notes foolproof yet simple for the public and professionals to verify. G+D’s expertise in marrying aesthetics with hardcore security tech, like optically variable inks and security threads, cements trust in cash transactions across the globe.
Resilience in the eurozone
The euro’s resilience against counterfeiters is a testament to the relentless innovation and collaboration between the ECB and its top security partners. Each new series of euro banknotes, including the “Europa” series, rolls out more advanced security measures like holograms and microprinting, keeping criminals at bay.
“Our goal is to create euro banknotes that Europeans can be proud of,” says ECB Executive Board member Fabio Panetta. With every new series, the ECB raises the bar, ensuring the public can continue to trust in the euro’s security. Even as criminals adapt, the ECB’s commitment to innovation has kept counterfeit rates dropping, making euro banknotes some of the most secure in the world.
Looking ahead, the future of counterfeiting prevention in Europe looks brighter than ever. With new, tougher banknotes set to roll out soon, counterfeiters will continue to be outmatched. For the ECB, the mission is clear: stay ahead of the game, keep euros secure, and safeguard the trust that underpins the entire European economy.
