On 1 January 2002, euro banknotes were placed in circulation. There are seven denominations, ranging from 5 to 500 euro. Their design is the same throughout Europe.
Introduction
The seven euro banknotes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro) illustrate seven periods in European architecture: Antiquity, the Roman era, the Gothic era, the Renaissance, the baroque and rococo era, the 19th century (architecture in iron and steel) and the 20th century (modern architecture).
Three architectural features are used to betoken each era : windows, doors and bridges. They symbolise the European Union’s spirit of openness and cooperation, and the communication between nations.
The chosen design was produced by the Austrian, Robert Kalina. The National Bank’s designers also took part in the competition leading to that selection, and the National Bank’s printing department was very closely involved in the development of the banknotes themselves, some of which it produces.
Find out more about the denominations and design elements of the seven euro banknotes
Designs produced by the National Bank's designers and entered in the competition for the first euros (pdf - 2900k)
Les moyens de paiement: mémorandum relatif au refus des billets de banque par les vendeurs (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy, in French) (pdf - 19k)
Security features
Impressive security features protect the European banknotes. To identify a note, you should feel it, look at it and tilt it carefully : a full explanation is provided in the pages to which we refer you below.
Find out more about the security of the euro banknotes (site ECB)
The blind and partially sighted were involved at a very early stage in the preparation of the euro banknotes. The features designed for them are also useful to everyone : progressive sizes, relief features, dominant colour for each banknote and face values printed in large figures.
The continuous monitoring of the circulation by the National Bank and its colleagues ensures that the banknotes retain all their security features; badly worn notes can be handed in to the National Bank, which will exchange them subject to certain conditions.
Banknote recycling
This monitoring also ensures the early interception of forgeries. Well protected, the euro is an international currency; so we could say that it is "the victim of its own success", a bit like the dollar... Counterfeiting is an age-old phenomenon, and there is no such thing as a banknote that cannot be forged. The best defence is to be very familiar with the security features, and to check several of them if possible.
Find out more about counterfeiting
Also, to avoid any confusion or any malpractice, the reproduction of euro banknotes is subject to very specific rules, and their use as an advertising medium is prohibited.
Guideline of the European Central Bank of 20 March 2003
In Dutch (pdf - 130k) In French (pdf - 130k)
Decision of the ECB of 20 March 2003 on the denominations, specifications, reproduction, exchange and withdrawal of euro banknotes - Link to the ECB-Website
Protection of banknotes and coins having legal tender status (extracts from the Criminal Code)
In Dutch (pdf - 27,9k) In French (pdf - 27,9k)