In total, the banking institution seized 10,836 counterfeit banknotes, the majority of which were €20 banknotes.

Last year, there were 1,192 fewer banknotes seized compared to the 2020 total, set at 12,028. The €20 banknotes represent 4,324 of all seizures, ahead of the €10 banknotes (3,347) and the €50 banknotes (1,672).

Also seized were 830 counterfeit €5 banknotes, 474 €100 banknotes, 71 €200 banknotes and, finally, 118 €500 banknotes. Only the seizure of €20 and €50 banknotes registered a decrease in 2021 compared to 2020.

“Counterfeits seized in 2021 could be easily identified, without using auxiliary instruments, just touching, observing and tilting the banknote to detect the respective security elements”, states the BdP.

The financial institution also warns of the importance of always checking notes when you receive them. “A counterfeit banknote is not refunded, which implies a loss for the person who accepts it”.

Globally, according to the European Central Bank (ECB), the number of counterfeit euro banknotes withdrawn from circulation in 2021 reached a historically low level compared to banknotes in circulation, with around 347,000 counterfeit euro banknotes seized, a reduction of 24.5% than in 2020.