The official site of Italy's central bank

The second series of euro banknotes

The Central Banks of the Eurosystem are to introduce a second series of euro banknotes, the "Europa" series, starting in May 2013. The adoption of new and more advanced security features will enhance protection against counterfeiting, increasing public confidence in this fundamental payment instrument.

The second series banknotes, in the same denominations as the preceding ones, will be gradually introduced over several years, starting with the new €5 euro note. The design continues to be inspired by the European "ages and styles" theme.

The full design of the new €5 banknote was unveiled at an event at the Archaeological Museum in Frankfurt am Main on 10 January 2013.

The European Central Bank has created a website (www.newfaceoftheeuro.eu) for the new "Europa" series, showing the new €5 banknote and its advanced security features.

The rules on the reproduction of euro banknotes can be found at www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/html/reproduction.en.html.

For further information, please email eurosecondaserie@bancaditalia.it or call the toll free number 800 19 69 69 (from Italy only).