I know that the 500€ bill ceases to exist on the new series of bank notes (as they capped it at 200€) but those who possess the older series with that denomination can still use it as legal tender, but is it that common for Europeans to have a 200€ bill in their wallet? I’ve heard as to why they ceased on printing 500€ is mainly relating to both criminal activity or money laundering as that denomation has been abused as such.
200€ is the second highest one, although the older 500€ bill is no longer in circulation. Do ATM’s disperse either 500 & 200€ bills regarding cash withdrawals within that amount or do they just give that amount in smaller denominations equating to that much (like consisting of 20, 50 or 100€ bills)? If ATM’s don’t just give out a 200€ bill when withdrawing that much or more, does one have to visit a bank (branch) to get one?
I work in a small store, we get about one to two customers a day paying with it.
When I worked in an electronics store, we had much more of them, but it was obviously still the lowest amount of all bills.So I wouldn’t say they’re uncommon, but of course they’re the rarest one to get. Not only because ATMs don’t have them, but also because people rarely withdraw 200+€ on a regular basis in the first place.
Here in my place in Germany you can get up to 100€ bills from the ATMs. Some shops do not accept 200€ bills, more have no restrictions.
Since I moved to Germany I noticed people under 80 paying with cash again. The other day I was in the supermarket and the customer in front of me paid with a €500 bill. The cashier coolly accepted the bill of undoubtedly criminal origin and handed back €400 plus in change.
undoubtedly criminal origin
What makes you so convinced it is a bill of criminal origin? To my knowledge Germany is generally still a cash-nation, moreso than other European countries
What’s the alternative plausible explanation?
Not really. Most cash payments are made with €50 bills and below. Nearly anything beyond that is done by debit card.
I have lived in Europe for 6 of the past 7 years, never seen a €200 bill, I have used €500 ones before when I moved here and wanted to bring some cash with me in case of issues with cards, but realistically who uses cash nowadays?
who uses cash nowadays
Cash exists for a reason such as in the case of power outages, most payment systems are down in that type of scenario, since those are reliant on electricity so cash is a back up.
Yes, but you can just not buy things for the amount of time it takes for the power to come back on. Even on a nation wide blackout card machines still work, don’t ask me how but I can definitely confirm this for sure since I was already living in Spain when the blackout happened and I went to the supermarket and got some things during the first hours. If a blackout goes on for long enough that I need to have money stashed there would be much bigger issues than that.



