Portugal cracks down on counterfeit cash surge

Portugal is intensifying its battle against the proliferation of counterfeit euros, with authorities seizing a record 1,393 fake 5-euro notes in 2025 - a staggering 296% increase from the 352 seized in 2024.

Low-denomination notes the prime target

According to RASI, the vast majority of these counterfeits originate in China and are smuggled into Portugal via mail, a discreet and difficult-to-trace method that allows criminal networks to disperse small quantities of forged bills.

Despite the surge in seizures, the quality of the counterfeits is declining, with obvious flaws making them easier for authorities to detect. The Bank of Portugal attributes this to the difficulty of reproducing the intricate security elements found in genuine banknotes.

Experts warn, however, that the risk of undetected forgeries remains particularly high in faster, less scrutinized transactions.

To avoid falling victim to counterfeit cash, authorities advise citizens to carefully inspect their banknotes by touching, observing and tilting them to check for the presence of all security features.