A new €5 banknote will be issued in Ireland on May 2nd – it is the first note in the “Europa” series. The old €5 banknotes will continue to circulate alongside the new banknotes, but they will gradually be withdrawn. The date when they cease to be legal tender will be announced well in advance. Even after this date, they will retain their value indefinitely and will be exchangeable at euro area national central banks at any time.
The Europa series €5 banknote includes some new and enhanced security features. The watermark and hologram display a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology – and hence the name of this series of banknotes. An eye-catching “emerald number” changes colour from emerald green to deep blue and displays an effect of the light that moves up and down. Short raised lines on the left and right edges make it easier to identify the banknote, especially for visually impaired people.