How to Spot Fake Euros: What You Really Need to Look For

💶  In an age where fakes are getting smarter, the old “quick glance” test just doesn’t cut it anymore. Real euro banknotes are protected by multiple layers of security – and if you know where to look and what to feel, your chances of spotting a fake go way up.

Real paper isn’t really “paper”

Authentic euros are printed on special cotton-based material.
It’s:

firm, but not cardboard,

with a distinct crackling sound, like parchment, not printer paper.

If it feels smooth, floppy, or overly shiny – red flag.

Texture isn’t decorative

Let your fingers help. Run them across:

the denomination,

and the print.

They should be raised and textured, especially on the right side of the front.
If everything’s flat – be suspicious.

Watermark = a ghost of the real

Hold the note up to the light. You should see a watermark – a pale portrait or number that seems embedded inside the paper.
If it’s invisible – either bad lighting or bad money.

Hologram with a “wow” factor

On €50, €100 and €200 notes, there’s a hologram with the portrait of Europa.
Tilt the note – the image should shift, shimmer, and change angle.
If it looks like someone just stuck foil on it – that’s not currency, that’s craft project.

Microtext – for eagle-eyed examiners

Real euros have microtext – tiny letters or numbers – usually around the edges or near security elements.
They should be sharp and clear, even under magnification. No blurs, no pixels, no “soap opera” fuzz.

🧠 Final tip: don’t trust – verify

Counterfeiters bet on haste and distraction. But now you’ve got a checklist – and with just a minute of checking, you can dodge the fake.

Touch it, tilt it, check it – and may your wallet be full of real euros (lots of them!).