The euro is the common currency of over 340 million people and a strong symbol of European unity.
Euro banknotes are issued by the national central banks of the euro area in quantities approved by the European Central Bank and they are legal tender in all euro area. Euro banknotes are printed at 11 locations in the euro area.
There are two series of euro banknotes in circulation. The first series comprises seven different denominations (€5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500). The second series, or Europa series, has the same denominations, except the €500 denomination. This denomination is no longer being printed, but it can still be used as a means of payment. Irrespective of the series, each euro banknote denomination is visually recognisable by a dominant colour and architectural motif. The dimensions of the euro banknotes of the first and the second series of the €5, €10, €20 and €50 denomination are identical, while the dimensions of the €100 and €200 banknotes of the first and the second series differ.
Euro banknotes depict the architectural motifs in the styles from different period of Europe’s history. The first series was issued in 2002, while the euro banknotes of the Europa series were issued gradually over the period between 2013 and 2019. The €5 banknote was issued in 2013, €10 in 2014, €20 in 2015, €50 in 2017 and €100 and €200 banknotes were issued in 2019.
The second series is called Europa because the banknotes feature a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology.