Catalogue of procedures

ES_BDE_C12B_P48

Verification of a suspected counterfeit banknote or coin, by the Banco de España, when submitted by financial institutions or individuals that may detect it.

Financial institutions, and any other entities involved in the handling and delivery of banknotes and coins to the public, in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, have the obligation to withdraw from circulation all euro banknotes and coins which they know or have sufficient reason to believe to be counterfeit. They must be immediately submitted to the Banco de España.

Financial institutions that subscribe to the general conditions of the ordinary cash service for euro banknotes and coins shall submit to Banco de España all suspected counterfeit banknotes detected in the course of their professional activity within fifteen working days of their detection. 

Any natural person or legal entity that suspects a banknote or coin to be counterfeit.

In person:

It is necessary to make an appointment to carry out this procedure.

The suspected counterfeit banknotes and/or coins may be submitted to the Banco de España building (C/ Alcalá 48) or at any of its branches, along with all available information. The institutions that subscribe to the general conditions of the ordinary cash service for euro banknotes and coins, shall first include this information in the "Formulario web presentación de billetes y monedas presuntamente falsos", available in the “Processing” section.

To facilitate the completion of the form, it is recommended to consult the user manual and the video tutorial available in the section “Other useful information” at the end of the page.

When suspected counterfeit banknotes and coins are submitted together, two forms must be filled out, one for banknotes and one for coins.

In the section “Other useful information” you can find the details of all the branch offices of the Banco de España.

The Banco de España will provide a receipt acknowledging the submission of the banknotes and coins. In the case of credit institutions, it shall serve as proof of compliance with their obligation, with regard to the fourth additional provision of Law 46/1998, and Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001, to submit counterfeit or suspected counterfeit banknotes or coins to the Banco de España.
 

By post:

The suspected counterfeit banknote or coin must be sent with the proof of dispatch provided by the Online Form (available in the “Processing” section) or, for individuals only, along with a written document justifying the dispatch. In both cases, the dispatch must be made by registered mail to the postal address given in the “Contact us” section.

In order to fill the form with ease, it is recommended to consult the user manual and the video tutorial available in the section “Other useful information” at the end of the page.

The Banco de España will provide a receipt acknowledging the submission of the banknotes and coins. In the case of financial institutions, it shall serve as proof of compliance with their obligations, with regard to the fourth additional provision of Law 46/1998, and Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001, to submit counterfeit or suspected counterfeit banknotes or coins to Banco de España.

When suspected counterfeit banknotes and coins are submitted together, two forms must be filled out, one for banknotes and one for coins.

The entities that subscribe to the General Conditions of the ordinary cash service for euro banknotes and coins, shall attach the Proof of Dispatch obtained by means of the "Formulario web presentación de billetes y monedas presuntamente falsos" for submitting suspected counterfeit banknotes and coins.

• Institutions subscribed to the General Conditions of the ordinary cash service for euro banknotes and coins: within 15 working days.
• Other entities: as soon as possible.