Euro banknote reform: what will change by 2026
The European Central Bank plans to make significant changes to the design and denominations of euro banknotes by 2026. One of the main initiatives is to reduce the nominal range, meaning that the €200 banknote may be withdrawn from circulation.
Design: new banknotes will feature themes of nature, culture, and European values instead of architectural monuments.
Nominal range: the new series will retain banknotes in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, and €100. The future of the €200 banknote remains uncertain.
The fate of large denominations
The €500 banknote was already withdrawn from circulation in 2019 due to its use in illegal operations and money laundering. Large denominations complicate the transportation of large amounts of cash, so the prospect of withdrawing the €200 banknote is not excluded.
Banking regulators recommend that owners of large denominations exchange them for smaller ones before the introduction of the new series of euro banknotes.
The European Central Bank plans to change the design and denominations of euro banknotes by 2026. This could lead to the withdrawal of the €200 banknote from circulation and complications for owners of large denominations in the future.