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    Can you exchange a damaged euro banknote in Finland?

    What to do with a torn, burnt or washed banknote.

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    Short answer

    Yes. The European Central Bank says that a banknote torn or otherwise damaged by accident can be exchanged for a new one at the central bank of any euro area country, usually free of charge. In Finland the request usually goes through your own bank. If the security features can no longer be identified, the bank sends the note to the Bank of Finland, which decides and credits your account if the note is accepted.

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    Why

    1. The ECB says accidentally damaged notes can be exchanged at any euro area central bank.
    2. The ECB says the exchange is usually free of charge.
    3. Verkkouutiset reports that the Bank of Finland receives about 200 such requests a month.

    Details

    If the Bank of Finland does not accept the note, it returns it to you together with its decision.

    Tip

    Keep all the pieces of a torn note together. Do not tape over the security features.

    What may differ

    Notes deliberately damaged or stained by anti-theft devices are treated differently.

    Common misconception

    A torn banknote is worthless.

    What actually happens

    An accidentally damaged note can usually be exchanged free of charge.

    People also ask

    • What are dye-stained banknotes?
    • How many counterfeit banknotes are found in Finland?
    • Can you still exchange Finnish markka?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Payment rules and fees change, so check the official sources or your bank before you pay.

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