Mutilated Currency

The OeNB is bound to the provisions of ECB decision of March 20, 2003, in redeeming mutilated banknotes.

An applicant can thus only exchange banknotes if

• more than 50% of a banknote is presented or
• 50% or less of a banknote is presented and the applicant can prove that the missing portions have been destroyed.  

Intentionally mutilated or damaged euro banknotes will not be exchanged but will be retained without reimbursement.

In case any doubt arises as to whether the banknotes are genuine or whether the applicant actually owns the banknotes, proof of possession must always be established. If the submitted banknotes are ink-stained, contaminated or impregnated, the applicant must hand in a written explanation as to the kind of stain, contamination or impregnation, as well as the potential danger of any of the substances. 

The OeNB will charge fees only for exchanging euro banknotes that have been mutilated or damaged by using anti-theft devices.

In case you have mutilated banknotes, please contact either your local bank or the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. If you have mutilated coins, please contact either your local bank or the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich AG).

If you have mutilated banknotes, please contact the OeNB hotline:

For submission of the multilated banknotes find enclosed the forms to be filled in:

Persuant to Art. 40 of the Austrian Banking Act, Due Diligence has to be exercised for transactions exceeding a counter-value of 15.000 euros.

If you have mutilated coins, please refer to the following hotline of the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich AG):