Euro banknotes and coins are legal tender in the euro area. Cash is an important part of your freedom to choose how to pay and essential for the financial inclusion of all groups in society.
Cash strategy aims to ensure that euro cash remains widely available, accessible and accepted as both a means of payment and a store of value. It will also remain innovative, secure and environmentally friendly.
We ensure the availability of euro cash
We make sure that euro banknotes and coins are available at all times. The national central banks offer cash services free of charge and work to make the way money moves through the economy as cost efficient as possible. We also take into account needs for euro cash outside the euro area.
Learn more about cash logistics
We support access to cash services for everyone
People and businesses must be able to access their money. As such, we support banks in providing adequate cash services, such as free cash withdrawals or withdrawals without excessive fees. Retailers can also offer alternative cash services like cashback or limited cash withdrawals.
Learn more about access to cash
We make sure that cash is accepted everywhere
Most people in the euro area consider it important to be able to pay in cash. Ensuring that cash is accepted everywhere is therefore essential. It gives people the freedom to choose how to pay, without disadvantaging those who do not have access to electronic payments.
Learn more about the acceptance of cash
We develop innovative and secure euro banknotes
Euro banknotes are protected by the latest technologies to make them highly resistant to counterfeiting and easy to authenticate by the public and professional cash handlers. We ensure the high quality of euro banknotes and are working on new designs for a future series.
Learn more about future banknotes
We keep banknotes safe and sustainable
We make sure our banknotes are safe to produce and use. For instance, we research and test the potential impact of banknote production and circulation on public health and the environment. We also study how to make banknotes as sustainable as possible.
Learn more about the environmental footprint of euro banknotes