Number of Counterfeit Euros Increases in Cyprus

In 2025, 670 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in Cyprus, a 17.1% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus.

The 50 euro note was the most frequently counterfeited, accounting for 45.4% of all fake banknotes detected in the country.

Situation in Europe

According to the European Central Bank, approximately 444,000 counterfeit euros were withdrawn from circulation in 2025, which is 20% less than in 2024.

The most counterfeited notes remain:

• 50 euro
• 20 euro

Together, they account for 80.2% of all detected counterfeits.

Furthermore:

• 96.8% of fake banknotes were found in eurozone countries,
• 2.2% in EU countries outside the eurozone,
• 1% in other countries worldwide.

The Central Bank of Cyprus emphasized that the level of counterfeiting remains very low compared to the volume of genuine banknotes in circulation.

Nevertheless, residents are urged to carefully check banknotes during cash transactions. Instructions for verifying the authenticity of euros are available on the websites of the Central Bank of Cyprus and the European Central Bank.