Legal tender of euro banknotes and coins
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In interinstitutional negotiations (trilogues). Parliament and Council are working toward a provisional agreement, which would still need formal adoption to become law.
Last active 19 Dec 2025
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What this bill does
In plain terms: what it changes and who it affects.
This bill requires euro cash to remain accepted and accessible across the euro area, with limited exceptions.
Who it affects
It affects people and businesses in the euro area, especially consumers who rely on cash, retailers, service providers, banks, ATM operators, and cash-service providers.
Core of the proposal
- Defines legal tender as mandatory acceptance at face value, discharging payment obligations.
- Allows refusal only for agreed alternatives or legitimate, temporary, proportionate reasons.
- Requires Member States to monitor cash refusal and ensure effective cash access nationwide.
- Requires annual reporting, complaint channels, and penalties for infringements.
Key provisions
- Takes effect
- The Regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- Transitional law
- Member States must notify penalty rules and measures within one year after the Regulation enters into force.
Articles changed · 1 across 1 law
- Commission Recommendation 2010/191/EU (32010H0191)
- entire act: supersedes the Recommendation; Commission would clarify it no longer applies
Latest update
04 Jun 2026The most recent development in this bill's progress.
Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations) → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations) → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
Documents
1 recentSourcesOEILEUR-LexEU Law Tracker