The German Bundesbank published its first-half 2025 counterfeiting statistics for Germany, reporting that it withdrew around 36,600 counterfeit euro banknotes with a nominal value of just under EUR 2.1 million. The number of banknote counterfeits rose 8% compared with the second half of 2024, but the loss amount remained nearly unchanged and the per-capita incidence was about nine counterfeit notes per 10,000 inhabitants. Counterfeits shifted towards more common denominations, with fake EUR 50 and EUR 100 notes increasing (EUR 50: 18,788, up 27%; EUR 100: 6,137, up 38%) while fake EUR 200 and EUR 500 notes fell sharply (EUR 200: 1,311, down 47%; EUR 500: 287, down 32%). The share of simple ‘MovieMoney’/‘Prop copy’ type counterfeits declined slightly but remained high. Counterfeit coins also increased to around 68,400 pieces (up 12%), equivalent to roughly sixteen counterfeit coins per 10,000 inhabitants per year, and were found only in 50 cent, EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins, with EUR 2 accounting for 91% (62,411). The Bundesbank reiterated “feel-look-tilt” checks for banknotes, provided authenticity indicators for coins, and pointed to free counterfeiting-prevention training via its branch network and online learning modules.
German Bundesbank 2025-07-25
German Bundesbank reports 8% rise in counterfeit euro banknotes in H1 2025 with losses broadly unchanged
The German Bundesbank reported a rise in counterfeit euro banknotes in the first half of 2025, with 36,600 notes withdrawn, marking an 8% increase from the previous period, while the nominal value remained nearly unchanged at just under EUR 2.1 million. Counterfeits shifted towards EUR 50 and EUR 100 notes, while EUR 200 and EUR 500 notes saw a decline. Counterfeit coins also rose by 12%, predominantly affecting EUR 2 coins.