The European Commission reported that the number of counterfeit euro coins removed from circulation increased by 17% from 157.000 in 2011 to 184.000 in 2012. The 2-euro denomination remains by far the most affected by this criminal activity, representing almost 2 out of every 3 counterfeit euro coins detected.

According to the European Central Bank figures, around 531.000 euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2012. With regard to the counterfeit euro coins removed from circulation, the number increased by 17% from 157,000 in 2011 to 184,000 in 2012. With 16.5 billion genuine euro coins currently in circulation, the counterfeit ratio is 1 for every 100,000 genuine coins.

The European Commission adopted on 5 February 2013 a proposal for a directive setting minimum rules for sanctions on counterfeit. This European institution highlighted that current criminal rules need to be strengthened to improve the prevention, investigation and sanctioning of euro counterfeiting throughout the EU as Member States have diverging rules and levels of protection. The Commission also recognised that preventive measures including legislation, technical analysis, law enforcement coordination and judicial cooperation have allowed Member States to make progress in removing counterfeit euro coins from circulation.

The Commission is responsible for the European Technical & Scientific Centre (ETSC) that analyses and classifies new stamped counterfeit euro coins. The Commission also collaborates closely with the European Central Bank (ECB), Europol, Interpol and the competent national authorities. The European Central Bank is responsible for analysing counterfeit euro banknotes. Europol and Interpol support the Member States’ law enforcement services in combating serious organised crime by facilitating the exchange of information and providing operational and strategic analysis.