The 20 Euro Bill: Everything You Need to Know

The 20 euro bill is a widely used currency note in the European Union, but do you know everything about it?

The 20 euro bill was first introduced in 2002, as part of a new series of euro banknotes designed to be more secure and durable.

You can use the 20 euro bill to make purchases in any country that uses the euro, as it's widely accepted.

It's essential to keep your 20 euro bills in good condition, as damaged or worn-out notes may not be accepted by merchants.

The euro was founded on 1 January 1999, when it became the currency of over 300 million people in Europe. It was an invisible currency for the first three years, only used in accountancy.

The 20 euro note is the third smallest euro note, measuring 133 millimetres by 72 millimetres. It has a blue colour scheme.

The 20 euro note was introduced on 1 January 2002, replacing the national banknotes and coins of the countries in the eurozone 12. Slovenia joined the Eurozone in 2007, and Croatia in 2023.

The 20 euro note depicts bridges and arches/doorways in a Gothic architectural style, specifically from the 13th and 14th centuries.

For your interest: 1 20

The euro was founded on 1 January 1999, when it became the currency of over 300 million people in Europe.

For the first three years of its existence, the euro was an invisible currency, only used in accountancy.

Euro cash was not introduced until 1 January 2002, when it replaced the national banknotes and coins of the countries in eurozone 12.

Slovenia joined the Eurozone in 2007, marking a significant expansion of the currency's reach.

Cyprus and Malta joined the Eurozone in 2008, bringing the total number of countries using the euro to a dozen.

A unique perspective: 1 Euro in Zlotys

The twenty euro note is the third smallest euro note at 133 millimetres (5.2 in) × 72 millimetres (2.8 in) with a blue colour scheme.

All bank notes depict bridges and arches/doorways in a different historical European style, with the twenty euro note showcasing the gothic era between the 13th and 14th centuries.

The ECB released a game on 5 February 2015 to discover some of the new security features embedded in the new €20 note.

Discover more: 5 Euro Note

The most significant new anti-counterfeit measure is a transparent window, containing a hologram which shows a portrait of Europa and the number 20.

The Twenty euro banknote (€20) is made of cotton paper and measures 133 x 72mm.

The main color of the twenty euro note is blue, with an architectural style that is distinctly Gothic.

The design of the new €20 note has had a radical overhaul and should prove much more difficult to forge, as unveiled by ECB President Mario Draghi on 24 February 2015.

The 20 euro bill has some amazing security features that make it hard to counterfeit. These features include a hologram that changes image when tilted, showing the value and a window or doorway in the background.

The EURion constellation is another security feature that's designed to prevent counterfeiting. It's a pattern of small circles that appear when the note is scanned.

The unique feel of the note is due to special printing processes that give it a distinct texture. You can run your finger over the main image, lettering, and value numerals to feel the raised printing.

Under ultraviolet light, the paper itself shouldn't glow, but fibers embedded in the paper will appear in red, blue, and green. The European Union flag will look green, and the ECB President's signature will turn green.

Microprinting is another feature that's hard to spot with the naked eye. You'll need a magnifying glass to see the tiny text, but it's sharp and not blurred.

The security thread is embedded in the banknote paper and appears as a dark stripe when held against the light. The word "EURO" and the value can be seen in tiny letters on the stripe.

Here are some of the security features found on the 20 euro bill:

These features work together to make the 20 euro bill a secure and reliable form of currency.

The European Central Bank is closely monitoring the circulation and stock of the euro coins and banknotes. It's a task of the Eurosystem to ensure an efficient and smooth supply of euro notes and to maintain their integrity throughout the euro area.

The first series of euro banknotes was issued in January 2002, with 1,961,761,089 €20 banknotes in circulation, worth €39,235,221,780. The number of banknotes in circulation has been increasing steadily over the years.

As of December 2023, there were 4,858,043,996 €20 banknotes in circulation, worth €97,160,879,920. This is a net number, including the stocks held by credit institutions.

The European Central Bank releases new series of banknotes to enhance security and maintain public confidence in the currency. The new 20 Euro banknote from the new Europa series will reach retailers all over the Euro region soon.

The new series of banknotes is more durable than the old ones, reducing the need for replacements and their environmental impact. All CashGuard's solutions are already ready for the new notes, ensuring a smooth transition for their customers.

Here's a breakdown of the number of €20 banknotes in circulation over the years:

The proportion of the first series of banknotes in circulation has been decreasing over the years, from 81.8% in December 2015 to 8.7% in December 2023.

Expand your knowledge: What Is the Lcm of 8 and 20?