The official site of Italy's central bank

Counterfeit banknotes

Obligations regarding suspected counterfeit banknotes

Cash handlers (banks, Poste Italiane S.p.A. and other economic agents that engage in the sorting and distribution to the public of euro banknotes and coins as a professional activity) must withdraw from circulation banknotes that are not classified as genuine following authenticity checks performed automatically or, when permitted, manually, and consign them to the branches of the Bank of Italy.

The suspect banknotes must be handed over immediately and in any case not later than the twentieth business day following that on which they were received.

The consignment of the banknotes must be accompanied by the record of withdrawal containing the information referred to in Annex 5 of the Order of the Governor of the Bank of Italy dated 7 February 2012.

The list of branches to which suspect counterfeit notes can be sent or delivered is published on this website.