ECB will discontinue production and issuance of the 500-euro banknote
Source: ECB Press Release 4 May 2016
- ECB has decided to discontinue production and issuance of €500 banknote
- Europa series of euro banknotes will not include the €500
- €500 banknote remains legal tender and will always retain its value
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to permanently stop producing the €500 banknote and to exclude it from the Europa series, taking into account concerns that this banknote could facilitate 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.
