Banknotes are also fashion victims

The design of the new banknotes includes recent developments in banknote technology to make them more resistant to counterfeiting, thus reducing the risk of fraud for all of us. And like the new five euro banknotes they are better for the environment: they have a protecting coating that makes them more durable, thus having to be replaced less often. This is especially important with banknotes of smaller value, like the five and ten euro banknotes, as they are widely and intensively used; and more durable banknotes means their reproduction will cost less overall.

The new banknotes offer an opportunity to review the design of the old ones, so it is a little bit about fashion: the ECB wants to show a modern and innovative symbol that reflects the commitment and determination to support the European Union. So like the new five euro banknote, the ten euro includes a portrait of Europa, the Greek mythological figure that gave the name to our country, in the hologram and the watermark.

You can still check manually and visually the new ten euro banknote. Other than the hologram and watermark, the emerald number changes colour from emerald green to deep blue when tilted.

Sure. The change doesn’t happen overnight. As from September both new and old banknote co-exist until such time as the ECB announces the end of the old banknote. It’s been a year since the new five euro banknote was introduced and we can still buy goods and services with it. And even after the banknote is no longer valid in shops, you can exchange them for new banknotes at any of the European central banks, including the Banque Centrale de Luxembourg.