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Pericles V exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting 2028–2034

TA-10-2026-0356 · P10_TA(2026)0356 · PE788.022

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Parliament's amended version of a proposed regulation sets up the Pericles V programme to protect the euro against counterfeiting and counterfeiting-related fraud for 2028–2034, replacing Regulation (EU) 2021/840. It sets the programme envelope at EUR 7 811 000 in current prices (EUR 6 942 000 in 2025 prices) and allows additional contributions from member states, Union bodies, third countries and others. The general objective covers emerging threats to the authenticity, integrity or functioning of the euro; the specific objective names threats to a future digital euro, AI-enabled forgery and AI-assisted evasion of detection, and AI investigational tools. The Commission implements the programme in cooperation with member states and reports annually to Parliament, the Council and the European Central Bank (ECB). New recitals stress the role of cash, the scale of counterfeiting, the need to involve third countries with counterfeiting hotspots, and respect for fundamental rights and budget conditionality rules. Eligible actions are widened to cover darknet and online distribution of counterfeits and to include digital currency, blockchain, cybersecurity and AI experts.

Key points

  1. The regulation establishes the Pericles V programme for 2028–2034 and lays down its objectives, budget, forms of Union funding and funding rules.
  2. The general objective is to prevent and combat counterfeiting and counterfeiting-related fraud and other emerging threats to the authenticity, integrity or functioning of the euro, preserving trust and financial stability.
  3. The specific objective takes into account threats to a future digital euro, threats posed by AI including AI-enabled forgery and AI-assisted evasion of detection systems, and investigational opportunities offered by AI.
  4. The programme envelope for 2028–2034 is set at EUR 7 811 000 in current prices (EUR 6 942 000 in 2025 prices).
  5. Member States, Union institutions, bodies and agencies, relevant third countries, international organisations, international financial institutions and other third parties may make additional financial or non-financial contributions.
  6. The programme is to be implemented in synergy with other Union programmes, and the Commission must report on synergies in the Programme Performance Statement and related documents.
  7. The Commission implements the programme in cooperation with member states through regular consultations, taking into account existing and planned activities of the ECB, Europol and Eurojust when preparing work programmes.
  8. Eligibility criteria must take due account of those consultations while preserving the Commission's responsibility to implement the Union budget.
  9. Work programmes must be regularly updated to take account of emerging developments such as digital euro threats and AI.
  10. The Commission must provide annual reports on results to Parliament, the Council and the ECB, including a list of funded actions, their budgets and participating entities, and present them to Parliament's competent committee on request.
  11. Information exchange and dissemination must target protection of the euro outside the Union and prevention of imports of counterfeited banknotes and coins produced outside the euro area.
  12. Eligible participants include digital currency and blockchain experts, cybersecurity specialists and AI and machine learning engineers.

Who is affected

  • Member states and their competent national authorities, which may contribute to and cooperate in the programme.
  • The Commission, which implements the programme, prepares work programmes and reports annually.
  • The ECB, Europol and Eurojust, whose activities must be taken into account and which receive annual reports.
  • Relevant third countries and international organisations, which may contribute and take part in cooperation and training.
  • Recipients of Union funds, who face proportionate reporting requirements.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 7 811 000 in current prices — programme envelope for 2028–2034.
  • EUR 6 942 000 in 2025 prices — programme envelope expressed in 2025 prices.
  • 2028-2034 — period covered by the programme.
  • Approximately 444 000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2025.
  • Around 80 % of all counterfeit banknotes detected were the 20 euro and 50 euro denominations.