Press release - ECB ends production and issuance of €500 banknote

Today the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to permanently stop producing the €500 banknote and to exclude it from the Europa series, taking into account concerns that this banknote could facilitate illicit activities. 
The issuance of the €500 will be stopped around the end of 2018, when the €100 and €200 banknotes of the Europa series are planned to be introduced. The other denominations – from €5 to €200 – will remain in place.
More: ECB Press Release