National Bank of Serbia dismisses reports that first-series EUR 50 notes are being withdrawn and confirms all euro banknotes remain legal tender

The National Bank of Serbia issued a public clarification rejecting media and social media claims that a decision has been made to withdraw the first-series EUR 50 banknote, or all first-series euro banknotes, from circulation. It stated that neither the European Central Bank nor any euro area national central bank has decided or announced the withdrawal of any euro banknotes or coins. The first series of euro banknotes, issued in 2002, comprises seven denominations from EUR 5 to EUR 500, while the second series, issued between 2013 and 2019, comprises six denominations from EUR 5 to EUR 200 and excludes the EUR 500. The National Bank of Serbia noted that the absence of a EUR 500 note in the second series does not affect the first-series EUR 500, which remains legal tender without restrictions, and that all denominations from both series circulate in parallel. It also highlighted that damaged euro banknotes retain their value and can be exchanged for full face value at any euro area central bank if more than half of the note is presented or it can be proven that the remainder has been destroyed.