Check the wallet. National Bank will withdraw older banknotes, they will not pay

“The aim of this step is to have only one banknote of one design in each denomination of commonly used banknotes from CZK 100 to CZK 2,000. This will not only speed up the machine processing of banknotes at the CNB, but will also bring significant simplification for the population of the Czech Republic and foreign visitors – after a long time, banknotes of commonly used denominations will have only one valid design, thus reducing uncertainty or concern about older issues. banknote designs are valid and are not, for example, counterfeit, ”said Oldřich Dědek, a member of the Bank Board, who is responsible for the CNB’s monetary section.

“We decided to inform the public about this intention a year in advance and we believe that in everyday life, citizens may not even notice this change in a year’s time, because the CNB continuously eliminates older models as part of cash controls during its processing. After the next 12 months, I would recommend everyone to pay with banknotes as usual, the older ones will be replaced by new ones at the CNB, “he added.

The withdrawn older banknote designs are the easiest to recognize from those that are to remain in circulation from the second half of 2022 by the width of the silver stripe – the security element that vertically intersects the banknote.

This strip is narrow for retractable banknotes and does not change color when tilted, while the latest banknote designs have a wider strip, which changes color from brown-violet to green when tilted. The individual patterns are further distinguished by the year depicted on the obverse of the banknote and some other security features.

What models will continue to circulate?

As of 30 June 2022, the following specimens of banknotes will expire: CZK 100 of the 1995 and 1997 designs, CZK 200 of the 1996 and 1998 designs, CZK 500 of the 1995 and 1997 designs, CZK 1,000 of the 1996 and 2000 designs of the 1996 and 1999 designs.

The following banknote designs will remain in circulation: CZK 100 of the 2018 design, CZK 200 of the 2018 design, CZK 500 of the 2009 design, CZK 1,000 of the 2008 design, CZK 2,000 of the 2007 design and CZK 5,000 of the 1999 and 2009 designs.

With the exception of the CZK 5,000 denomination, only one valid design from each banknote denomination will remain in circulation after 30 June 2022, thus reducing the risk for the public to confuse older, less frequently used banknote designs with counterfeits.

“Banknotes that remain with the public even after their expiry will be able to be exchanged from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024 at the cash desks of all credit institutions carrying out treasury operations and at the same time at all seven CNB regional offices. From 1 July 2024, the exchange will take place only at the CNB’s cash desks, but for an unlimited period of time, ”concluded CNB spokeswoman Petra Vodstrčilová.

Ending banknotes.Source: CNB