Understanding the Rules for Reproducing Euro Banknote Images

Reproducing images of euro banknotes is permitted, but it’s essential to adhere to specific guidelines set by the European Central Bank (ECB). These rules, outlined in Decision ECB/2013/10, are in place to prevent reproductions from being mistaken for genuine currency, thus maintaining the euro’s integrity and public trust as a secure means of payment.

Legal Guidelines for Euro Banknote Reproduction

Decision ECB/2013/10 establishes the criteria for lawful reproduction of euro banknotes. “Reproduction” encompasses any physical or digital representation that uses all or part of a euro banknote, including its individual design elements. Reproductions that meet the criteria detailed in Article 2 of this decision are considered lawful because they pose no risk of being confused with authentic euro banknotes. It is crucial to consult Decision ECB/2013/10 for a comprehensive understanding of these regulations. However, a simplified explanation of the key criteria is provided below for both physical and digital reproductions.

Rules for Physical Reproductions

When creating physical reproductions of euro banknotes, several size and material restrictions apply to ensure they are distinguishable from real currency.

1. Reproducing Both Sides: If you intend to reproduce both the front and back of a euro banknote, the reproduction must be significantly different in size from the genuine banknote. It must be either at least 200% larger in both length and width or no more than 50% smaller in both dimensions compared to the actual banknote’s size.

2. Reproducing One Side: For reproductions of only one side of a euro banknote, the size requirements are slightly less extreme. The reproduction must be at least 125% larger or at most 75% smaller than the genuine banknote in both length and width.

3. Reproducing Parts of a Banknote: If you wish to reproduce only a section of the front or back of a euro banknote, that section must be less than 33% of the total area of the respective side of the actual banknote.

4. Reproducing Design Elements: Individual design elements from euro banknotes can be reproduced physically, provided they are not depicted on a background that resembles a banknote. This prevents the creation of images that could collectively mimic a real banknote.

5. Material Differentiation: Physical reproductions of euro banknotes are permissible if they are made from a material that is clearly and significantly different from the paper used for genuine euro banknotes. This material distinction helps to immediately differentiate reproductions from real currency.

Rules for Digital Reproductions

Digital reproductions of euro banknotes also have specific criteria, primarily focused on incorporating a “specimen” mark and limiting resolution.

1. “Specimen” Overlay: All digital reproductions must include the word “specimen” diagonally across the image. This word must be in Arial font, bold, and in a color that contrasts strongly with the dominant color of the euro banknote being reproduced.

2. “Specimen” Size: The word “specimen” must be substantial in size, with its length being at least 75% of the reproduction’s length and its height at least 15% of the reproduction’s width. This ensures the mark is clearly visible and cannot be easily overlooked.

3. Resolution Limit: The resolution of any electronic reproduction of a euro banknote must not exceed 72 dots per inch (dpi) when viewed at 100% of its original size. This low resolution further distinguishes digital reproductions from high-quality banknote images.

4. Reproducing Design Elements Digitally: Similar to physical reproductions, individual design elements can be digitally reproduced as long as they are not placed on a background that resembles a banknote.

Reproductions that fail to comply with these rules are considered unlawful. It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing a euro banknote to ensure their reproduction meets all the criteria outlined in Decision ECB/2013/10.

Combating Illegal Use of Digital Banknote Images

The Eurosystem is committed to protecting the integrity of euro banknotes and continuously enhances banknote security technology. Euro banknotes are produced with advanced printing techniques and incorporate numerous prominent security features, making it straightforward to differentiate them from counterfeits.

To further combat counterfeiting, the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG), an international collaboration of over 30 central banks, has developed a counterfeit deterrence system. This system is designed to prevent personal computers, digital imaging equipment, and software from being used to create counterfeit banknotes. This technology has been voluntarily adopted by hardware and software manufacturers and effectively blocks the capture or reproduction of protected banknote images by printing, scanning, or digital imaging tools that incorporate the system. It’s important to note that this technology is designed for deterrence and does not track user activity. For more detailed information about the CBCDG and international regulations on banknote image use, please visit the CBCDG’s website.

Accessing Euro Banknote Images

Low-resolution (72 dpi) images of euro banknotes are available for free download for compliant use.

Download low-resolution images of euro banknotes

For those requiring high-resolution images, you can submit a request via email to [email protected]. Your request should clearly explain your professional and legitimate reason for needing high-resolution images. Please include the following details in your email:

• Your name and contact information
• Details of your business activities
• Your company website address
• Specific information on how you intend to use the requested images

Upon receiving your request, you will be asked to complete and sign a confidentiality declaration from your company’s authorized representative. Unless specified otherwise, you will receive a set of images of all denominations within the Europa series, provided in 300 dpi resolution, Tag Image File Format (TIFF), and marked “specimen”.

Reproduction Rules for Euro Coins

The regulations for reproducing euro coins are different. Only medals and tokens that cannot be mistaken for genuine euro coins are permitted. This is because metallic items bearing “euro” or “euro cent” or designs similar to euro coins could easily be confused with legal tender. For detailed information on euro coin reproduction rules, please consult the European Commission’s website or contact the relevant national authorities in euro area countries.

Further Information

For answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the FAQ on reproduction rules for euro banknotes.