The European Central Bank (ECB) says it will no longer produce the €500 (£400; $575) note because of concerns it could facilitate illegal activities.
The decision comes in the wake of a European Commission inquiry in February into the way the notes are used.
Senior ECB officials said at the time that they needed more evidence that the notes facilitated criminal activity.
The UK asked banks to stop handling €500 notes in 2010 after a report found they were mainly used by criminals.
The ECB says the €500 banknote remains legal tender and will always retain its value.