Two years ago, Danish banks stopped buying Danish cash from foreign banks at short notice, as they could not obtain sufficient documentation in accordance with the money laundering legislation. As a result, a number of foreign central banks and banks had accumulated holdings of Danish cash that they have not been able to sell back to Denmark via the regular cash market. This has also meant that it has not been possible to exchange Danish cash abroad.
As the issuing authority, Danmarks Nationalbank wanted to ensure that the accumulated cash is returned to Denmark under proper conditions. Also in light of the fact that some Danish banknotes, including 1000-krone notes, are being phased out.
This is a one-off purchase that only includes cash that was already on the banks' balances at the time of Danmarks Nationalbank's enquiry after the summer vacation.
The purchase does not mean that you can use or exchange your Danish cash abroad again. Danmarks Nationalbank still recommend not taking Danish cash abroad.
Danmarks Nationalbank only buys cash from foreign banks that are supervised and where the money has been acquired as part of legitimate banking business. The purchase is made in collaboration with the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority and following discussions with the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Danish Police.