Exchange of mutilated or damaged euro banknotes

Damaged banknotes can be exchanged in the following cases:

• when more than 50% of the banknote is presented; or
• when 50% or less of the banknote is presented, if the applicant proves that the missing parts have been destroyed.

Mutilated or damaged banknotes can be exchanged at the Head Office (21, El. Venizelou Street, Athens) and at the Thessaloniki Branch (4, Tsimiski Street, Thessaloniki), by appointment only, for up to ten (10) banknotes per denomination.

Appointments must be scheduled through the Bank of Greece's online appointment platform (Online Appointments). To schedule an appointment, select the service "Exchange of mutilated or damaged euro banknotes". Upon completion of the booking, an automatic confirmation is sent by email and SMS. Please note that a mobile phone number must be provided when scheduling an online appointment, so that you can receive your reference number and present it at the counter.

For larger quantities of mutilated or damaged banknotes, prior telephone contact is mandatory when scheduling an appointment (for the Head Office, please call +30 210 320 2780 or +30 210 320 3512), in order to obtain the necessary clarifications and ensure compliance with customer due diligence requirements under Law 4557/2018 and Directive (EU) 2024/1640.

For information regarding the exchange of mutilated or damaged euro banknotes at the Branches of the Bank of Greece, interested parties should contact the relevant services of the Branches of the Bank of Greece.

For any transaction, regardless of the amount, a valid ID identification card or passport must be presented. For transactions exceeding €1,000, the latest income tax assessment notice is also required.

For transactions exceeding €10,000, whether carried out as a single transaction or through multiple transactions by the same customer, natural persons must additionally provide:

1. The latest income tax assessment notice.
2. Current residential address, verified by a recent utility bill (e.g. electricity bill) or a residential lease agreement certified by a Tax Office.
3. Proof of current employment, evidenced by an employer's certificate, a copy of the latest payslip, a professional identity card or a document issued by a social security institution.
4. A valid residence permit (for non-EU citizens).
5. A valid phone number, verified by a recent bill issued by a telecommunications service provider.

Only originals of the required documents will be accepted, in compliance with the legal framework on the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing.

Credit institutions and other professional cash handlers are required to pay a fee to the Bank of Greece for the exchange of genuine euro banknotes that have been mutilated or have been damaged by anti-theft devices.

This fee amounts to €0.10 per mutilated or damaged euro banknote and is only charged if at least 100 damaged or mutilated euro banknotes are exchanged. The fee is charged for all exchanged euro banknotes.

No fee is charged where euro banknotes have been mutilated or damaged in connection with an attempted or actual theft or robbery.