Denmark is modernising its cash and withdrawing older banknotes from circulation on 31 May 2025. All banknotes from the series prior to 2009 and the 1000 kroner note from the current series from 2009 are affected by this changeover. The measure serves to modernise cash transactions and is intended to increase counterfeit protection. Holders of old Danish kroner banknotes still have until the end of May 2026 to exchange them. However, motorboat drivers who frequently travel to Denmark should check their cash on board in good time and use or exchange old notes as soon as possible.
Affected banknote series
The currency changeover affects a large number of older banknote series. The 1000 kroner note from the 2009 series, which features the Great Belt Bridge and the Trundholm sun chariot as motifs, will no longer be valid, as will the notes from the 1997 series, which featured portraits of Danish artists and scientists on the front and church art on the back. The even older series from 1972, 1952 and 1944 will also become invalid. The 1972 series featured portraits based on paintings by Jens Juel and animal motifs, while the 1952 series depicted famous Danes and landscape motifs. The 1944 series, developed during the Second World War, featured various motifs.
Exchange options and deadlines
Holders of old Danish banknotes have the opportunity to exchange them until the end of May 2026. However, they can only be exchanged in person at special stations in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. German banks generally no longer exchange old banknotes. It is therefore advisable to either issue the notes in Denmark by the end of May 2025 or to plan to exchange them in good time. The Danish National Bank points out that old notes worth the equivalent of around 350 million euros are still in circulation in Denmark and abroad.
Background to the currency changeover
The abolition of the old banknotes is part of a more comprehensive modernisation of Danish cash transactions. In addition to increasing counterfeit protection, the measure is also aimed at making the cash cycle more efficient. The Danish National Bank is planning to print a completely new banknote series from 2028. This long-term planning shows that, despite the increase in cashless payments, Denmark continues to rely on physical money and wants to continuously improve its security and efficiency.
The Danish Crown
The Danish krone is the official currency of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Introduced in 1875 to replace the Danish Rigsdaler, it consists of coins and banknotes issued by the Danish National Bank. Although Denmark is a member of the EU, the euro was rejected as a currency following a referendum. Danish kroner therefore remains in use.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
