Counterfeiting and security were major considerations in the process of the design of coins and banknotes.
To protect the euro in the euro area and beyond, EU legislation aims to ensure proper coordination of anti-counterfeiting measures between national authorities and adequate penalties for counterfeiters under national criminal law.
The European Technical and Scientific Centre is established within the Commission in Brussels to analyse and classify every new type of counterfeit coin.
The Pericles 2020 programme funds staff exchanges, seminars, trainings and studies for law enforcement and judicial authorities, banks and others involved in combating euro-counterfeiting.
A list and description of the main cooperation forums and expert groups on anti-counterfeiting.
The Pericles IV programme funds staff exchanges, seminars, trainings and studies for law enforcement and judicial authorities, banks and others involved in combating euro-counterfeiting.
The Pericles programme will continue as Pericles V to further fight against euro-counterfeiting. This will help prevent and combat counterfeiting and related fraud, strengthening the trust of citizens and businesses in the integrity of the euro.