Seizures of crude counterfeit notes from China, arriving in Portugal through online orders, have increased. The most sophisticated counterfeit money comes from Italy.
The counterfeit money seized in Portugal has a increasingly low qualitybut authorities have intensified early detection, preventing its entry into circulation. The conclusion is contained in the 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), which reveals changes in the profile of counterfeiting and distribution methods.
According to the document, prepared based on data from the Judiciary Police, there has been a significant increase in the seizure of counterfeit banknotes low value, especially 5 euros. In 2025, 1393 banknotes of this denomination were seized, an increase of 296% compared to the previous year. The most common origin of these forgeries is identified as being Chinaarriving in Portugal mainly by post, through orders placed online.
Despite the increase in seizures, the number of investigations related to counterfeit currency continues to decrease. In 2025, 3629 investigations were opened, 31.6% less than in 2024 and well below the more than 11 thousand registered in 2017. The majority of these cases are linked to the detection of counterfeit notes in bank deposits.
On the other hand, cases related to ordering counterfeit money online. In this context, the role of the Federal Revenue Service has been decisive, mainly through customs control. RASI highlights that the coordination between customs inspection and criminal investigation made it possible to prevent the entry of large quantities of counterfeit banknotes, says the .
In total, 19,366 counterfeit banknotes were seized in 2025, with a face value of around 938 thousand eurosrepresenting an increase of 10% compared to the previous year. Portugal also led a European team dedicated to combating this type of crime, which made it possible to identify geographic areas with a higher incidence of counterfeit currency circulation and improve the effectiveness of operations.
Another relevant fact has to do with the quality of the fakes. The report indicates that the majority of the seized banknotes present a “rough” appearancewith obvious changes to the design, making it easier for authorities to detect.
Still, there are exceptions. To the counterfeit banknotes from Italy They are considered the most sophisticated, especially in the 50 euro denomination.
