The ECB and the national central banks (NCBs) of the Eurosystem are responsible for the integrity of euro banknotes.
That’s why they have developed a second series of euro banknotes, the “Europa” series, with enhanced security features. The new security features offer better protection against counterfeiting and enhance public confidence in the currency.
The Eurosystem’s research and development strategy states that euro banknotes need to be “self-defending”, thereby making life difficult for counterfeiters. Banks, professional cash handlers and the public need to be able to recognise counterfeit banknotes. Thus, they help to support the Eurosystem’s anti-counterfeiting strategy.