Counterfeit and damaged money statistics

The Bank of Lithuania publishes statistics on counterfeit and damaged money. The information is updated every six months.

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Counterfeit money

Throughout 2021, the Bank of Lithuania examined and withdrew from circulation a total of 1,181 euro counterfeits (1,041 banknotes and 140 coins) – 11% less compared to 2020, which saw 1,329 counterfeits detected.

Counterfeit euro banknotes and coins in Lithuania

As in 2020, €50 and €20 notes continued to be the most counterfeited banknotes, accounting for 53% and 13% respectively of the total number of counterfeits found.

Counterfeit euro banknotes in Lithuania by denomination (2021)

According to the data from the European Central Bank, a total of 347,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were found in 2021. €20 and €50 notes continued to be the most counterfeited banknotes, accounting for two thirds of the total number of counterfeited banknotes.

The number of counterfeited banknotes decreased by 24.6% compared to 2020.

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

A total of 35,830 damaged or worn banknotes and coins were exchanged at the Bank of Lithuania at the request of natural and legal persons in 2021, with an estimated value of around €1,612,000.

Banknotes brought by residents for exchange may be torn, mouldy due to improper storage conditions, 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 about the services can be found here.

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