ECB scraps 500-euro banknote

By Real GDPR

Collectors of €500 notes will be disappointed to hear that the its production and issuance has now ceased. 

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) concluded a review of the denominational structure of the Europa series, deciding to permanently stop producing the €500 banknote and to exclude it from the Europa series. A major factor in its decision was the danger that the banknote led and leads to illicit activities. 

The issuance of the €500 will be stopped around the end of 2018, when the €100 and €200 banknotes of the Europa series are planned to be introduced. The other denominations – from €5 to €200 – will remain in place.

In view of the international role of the euro and the widespread trust in its banknotes, the €500 will remain legal tender and can therefore continue to be used as a means of payment and store of value. The Eurosystem, which comprises the ECB and the euro area national central banks, will take steps to ensure that the remaining denominations are available in sufficient quantities.

The €500 banknote, like the other denominations of euro banknotes, will always retain its value and can be exchanged at the national central banks of the Eurosystem for an unlimited period of time.

The Europa series is the second series of euro banknotes, which is being introduced gradually, starting with the €5 in 2013 and followed by the €10 and €20 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Follow @BizReviewEurope

Read the May 2016 issue of Business Review Europe magazine.

Share
Share

Featured Articles

Top 10 most innovative telecom operators in the Middle East

With Dubai-based Telecoms World Middle East in full swing, we chart the most innovative telcos from the region – and look at how they are transforming

Top 10 fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK

Business Chief takes a look at the top 10 fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK, according to the India Meets Britain Tracker from Grant Thornton

Top 10 workplaces prioritising people and planet in the UAE

Sustainable, flexible, collaborative, tech-driven, and amenities-rich, the office of the future considers both people and planet – here are 10 in the UAE

Top 10 female HR execs leading Saudi’s workplace transition

Leadership & Strategy

Top 10 largest asset managers by AUM operating in the UAE

Corporate Finance

Top 10 female CEOs leading Africa’s biggest businesses

Leadership & Strategy