The Bank of Lithuania publishes statistics on counterfeit and damaged money. The information is updated every six months.
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Counterfeit money
In 2020, the Bank of Lithuania evaluated a total of 1,333 euro counterfeits (1,172 banknotes and 161 coins) – 57% less compared to 2019, when 3,078 counterfeits were detected.
In 2020, particularly in the fourth quarter of the year, a drop in so-called movie money was also observed. The central bank warned Lithuania’s residents about this type of counterfeit euro banknotes already in spring 2020.
Counterfeit euro banknotes and coins in Lithuania
*Approximately 1,000 banknotes were seized before circulation.
Counterfeit euro banknotes in Lithuania by denomination (2020)
As in 2019, €50 and €20 banknotes comprised the largest share of all counterfeits (46% and 18% respectively). The lowest share of the total were €5 and €200 banknotes.
Damaged money
The Bank of Lithuania not only evaluates counterfeits, but also exchanges worn and damaged euro and litas banknotes or coins.
Exchanged banknotes and coins
Last year, nearly 44,000 damaged or worn banknotes and coins were exchanged at the Bank of Lithuania, the total value of which reached around €970,000. Experts have noticed that some of the banknotes exchanged by residents are torn, moldy, decayed or burnt in furnaces and accidental fires. People sometimes find hidden and forgotten money under the floor, in door stands or old furniture. More information on the provided services can be found here.
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