Germany sees surge in €100 fakes amid overall counterfeit decline
Deutsche Bundesbank says overall levels of forged money remain low
Europe’s largest economy experienced a 61% surge in the volume of €100 counterfeit banknotes removed from circulation during the first half of 2026. This surge in €100 fakes, however, came amid a decline overall in counterfeit notes detected in Germany this year.
Deutsche Bundesbank said today (August 7) that it withdrew around 30,000 counterfeit euro banknotes worth €1.75 million ($1.99 million) from circulation in the first half of 2026. This represents a 4.3% drop in the volume of forgeries
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: www.centralbanking.com/subscriptions
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@centralbanking.com
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@centralbanking.com
More on Banknotes
Merchants in the cash system
As policy-makers seek to protect cash acceptance and increasingly look to retailers to facilitate access to cash, Martina Horakova argues that merchants need adequate cash services themselves – and that providing cash to the public should not come at their expense
Iraq receives $500m from Fed as government faces cash shortage
Oil-exporting country’s income comes under strain as Hormuz uncertainty persists
ECB unveils shortlist of new euro banknote designs
Bank invites public to share their views, offers vertical designs for first time
Sudan to withdraw low-value notes from circulation
Smaller denominations have lost purchasing power amid inflation and currency depreciation
Central Bank of Syria opens new branches
Bank also says it will begin measures to end circulation of Turkish currency
Monetary split deepens in Sudan as new banknotes circulate
Expert says rebel forces may be printing their own version of national currency
Novel AI could help with banknote quality control – paper
Tool could help prevent defective currency from entering circulation, Bank of Italy researchers find
Banknotes: April to June 2026
A round-up of news and salient issues that have affected central bankers in the past three months