Banknotes in the amount of € 500 will not be released in circulation anymore

On 4 May 2016, the European Central Bank had decided to cease printing and issuing banknotes in the amount of 500€ and as a result, starting on 27 January 2019, 17 out of 19 euro area national central banks will no longer issue banknotes in the amount of 500€.

In order to ensure a smooth transition and for logistical reasons, the Bank of Germany and the Bank of Austria will continue to issue this denomination until 26 April 2019.

Existing banknotes in the amount of 500€ will to continue to remain legal tender and can be used as a means of payment and will always preserve their value (ie you may spend or save it). Also commercial banks, exchange offices and other commercial parties may continue to recirculate the existing banknote of the amount of 500€.

As all other denominations of euro banknotes (first series), the denomination in the amount of 500€ will always maintain its value and can be exchanged at a national central bank of the euro area at any time.