Increase in Counterfeit Money in the Czech Republic: Number of Seized Banknotes Rises Significantly

The number of counterfeit banknotes and coins in the Czech Republic has increased significantly. According to the Czech National Bank, substantially more counterfeits were seized in 2025 than in the previous year.

The Czech National Bank (ČNB) seized a total of 9,036 counterfeit banknotes and coins in 2025. This represents an increase of almost 55 per cent compared with the previous year.

So-called imitations of various currencies accounted for the largest share. A total of 7,354 such imitations were recorded. In addition, authorities seized 429 counterfeit Czech banknotes and 208 counterfeit coins. A further 911 counterfeit foreign banknotes and 98 coins were identified. In addition, 34 altered Czech and two altered foreign means of payment were discovered.

The total value of counterfeit Czech banknotes amounted to just under 568,000 crowns. According to the ČNB, most counterfeits were of relatively low quality and only imitated individual security features. “If people pay sufficient attention to the security features of Czech banknotes, they should be able to recognise counterfeits,” said Karina Kubelková, a member of the Bank Board.

According to the ČNB, checking the security features involves three basic steps: first, raised elements on parts of the portrait and the denomination can be detected by touch. When held up to the light, further features become visible, including watermarks, security threads or see-through registers. When the banknote is tilted, optically variable elements such as hidden motifs, colour changes or shimmering stripes on higher denominations can also be seen.

Foto: Česká národní banka

In 2025, the most frequently counterfeited banknotes were those with a value of 2,000 crowns (102 cases), followed by 1,000-crown notes (100 cases). These were followed by 500-crown (74), 100-crown (60), 200-crown (51) and 5,000-crown banknotes (42). Most counterfeits were seized by the police, followed by banks, the national bank and cash processors.

In addition to banknotes, 208 counterfeit 20-crown coins with a total value of 4,160 crowns were also discovered. Their number fell by more than half compared with the previous year. The counterfeits often feature relatively high-quality minting, although the quality deteriorates towards the edges. They can be distinguished from the original, among other things, by a pronounced groove between the rim and the surface of the coin.

Counterfeit foreign currency was also detected in the Czech Republic. A total of 1,011 counterfeit or altered banknotes and coins were seized, most frequently in euros and US dollars.

However, imitations continued to make up the largest share of the seized counterfeits. In 2025, a total of 7,354 such imitations were recorded.

Anyone interested can learn more about Czech currency and its security features at the ČNB’s visitor centres in Prague and Brno. Admission is free of charge. Further information can be found on the ČNB website in the ‘Banknotes and coins’ section.