Verification of suspected counterfeit banknotes and coins

If you receive a banknote or coin that you suspect is counterfeit, you must take it to the police, a credit institution or the Banco de España. If it is found to be genuine, you will be reimbursed.

Credit institutions, and any other entities that professionally handle and deliver banknotes and coins to the public, must withdraw from circulation all euro banknotes and coins which they know or have sufficient reason to believe to be counterfeit. Moreover, they must submit them to the Banco de España without delay (within 15 working days for institutions that have signed up to the General Conditions of the ordinary cash service).

Suspected counterfeit banknotes or coins must be submitted in person or delivered securely (through an agent specialising in cash-in-transit services or by registered mail).

The Banco de España will provide a receipt acknowledging delivery of the suspected counterfeit banknotes and/or coins, which can be used to track the incident. You can check the incident status at any time using the incident number on the receipt and your DNI (Spanish National Identity card) at the following link: (https://app.bde.es/bmf_www/faces/bmf_wwwias/jsp/op/Home/Home.jsp).(only in Spanish)

The banknotes and/or coins will be analysed by experts and the results will be sent to the e-mail or postal address given when the incident was registered.

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