In just a few days, it will be over. Sunday, 31 May, is the last day on which members of the public are entitled to submit 1000-krone banknotes and older banknotes to Danmarks Nationalbank’s three exchange points. After that date, the banknotes become worthless.
For two and a half years, since 30 November 2023, Danmarks Nationalbank has been collecting 1000-krone banknotes from the current banknote series as well as banknotes from the 1944, 1952, 1972 and 1997 series. Now only a few days remain to hand in the notes, following several extremely busy weeks at the bank’s exchange points in Aarhus, Copenhagen and Odense.
“There is still time if you have older banknotes or 1000-krone banknotes, but you need to act quickly, and given the pressure we have seen as the deadline approaches, you should prepare carefully at home, bring the necessary forms and documentation, and be patient,” says Niels Kaas, Chief Cashier at Danmarks Nationalbank.
“Waiting times may be long, even though we are doing everything we can, deploying extra staff and providing on-site guidance for people waiting in line at the exchange points. It is very important to be aware what documents you’re required to bring along to successfully hand in banknotes. That way, waiting times can be kept as short as possible for everyone, and you avoid being turned away at the exchange point,” Niels Kaas continues.
Danmarks Nationalbank anticipates long waiting times and queues at all three exchange points through to 31 May, which is the last day on which members of the public are entitled to submit older banknotes and 1000-krone banknotes.
It is very important that individuals submitting banknotes due to become invalid bring a digitally completed and printed submission form, a physical photo ID such as a passport or driving license, and proof of residential address, for example a health card. For larger submissions, you must also remember to bring supplementary documentation.
“We have been working on this for 30 months, and our awareness surveys show that almost all Danes know that the banknotes are being phased out. Some may not have paid sufficient attention to the date, as we’ve been experiencing the number of transactions at Danmarks Nationalbank’s exchange points more than doubling in recent weeks,” says Niels Kaas.
Nine days before the final deadline, Danmarks Nationalbank’s three exchange points in Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen have processed more than 43,000 submissions and received in excess of DKK 200 million since opening in early December 2024. In total, banknotes worth DKK 21.1 billion have been submitted since 30 November 2023.
Background
Until June 2025, 1,000-krone banknotes and older banknotes could be used in shops and deposited into banks. Since then, Danmarks Nationalbank’s three exchange points have been the only option to submit the notes. That possibility expires on Sunday, 31 May 2026. After that, all previous banknote series and the 1,000-krone banknote from the current 2009 series will be both invalid and worthless.
How to submit banknotes
At forexvaluta.dk, you can read about how to submit the banknotes via the exchange points.
The banknotes can be submitted at three FOREX stores, which serve as Danmarks Nationalbank’s exchange points for the invalid and soon-to-be-worthless banknotes.
The three FOREX stores are:
- Aarhus: Banegårdspladsen 20, Aarhus C
- Odense: Rosengårdcentret, Ørbækvej 75, Odense SØ
- Copenhagen: Nørre Voldgade 90, Copenhagen K.
The exchange points only accept banknotes that ceased to be legal tender on 31 May last year and that will become worthless after 31 May 2026.
When exchanging cash, you must appear in person at an exchange point and bring:
- a digitally completed and printed submission form
- valid physical photo ID (e.g. passport or driving licence)
- proof of your address (e.g. health card)
- relevant printed documentation for larger amounts.
More information about documentation requirements, amount limits and exchange procedures is available at FOREX, Exchanging banknotes that become invalid.
Businesses should be aware that they are subject to special documentation requirements.
In Greenland and the Faroe Islands, it is also possible to exchange banknotes at your own bank until 29 May 2026.
Contact
Read more at nationalbanken.dk/en/the-future-of-cash, where you can also see pictures of which banknotes will become worthless.
If you would like to receive more information about the soon-to-be-worthless banknotes and the work to phase them out, please contact press advisor Peter Levring at pnbl@nationalbanken.dk or phone +45 2620 1809.