The ECB has revealed the finalist designs for the new euro banknotes

The European Central Bank (ECB) yesterday presented the finalist designs of competition for new euro banknotes and launched a public survey, inviting citizens across Europe to contribute to the final choice.

The proposals revolve around two themes, ‘European Culture’ and ‘Rivers and Birds’and the decorative motifs selected to represent them.

Lagarde: “They will strengthen our common identity”

“Euro banknotes are not a simple means of payment, they are one of the most tangible expressions of Europe”, explained the president of the institute, Christine Lagarde. “Combining beauty and meaning, they will strengthen our common identity.”

The proposals were selected as part of a competition held at European Union level, which attracted over 1,200 applications. 25 of them were then asked to develop a proposal for one or both themes. The choice of ten final proposals was entrusted to an independent jury of 21 experts from different disciplines – graphics, communication, neuroscience and history – each designated by the central bank of the respective euro area country.

The criteria for the final choice

Now the word goes to the citizens. The Governing Council of the ECB has decided to carry out an online survey on the ten proposals, open until September 21, 2026. In parallel, an independent research company will conduct a survey with the same questions on a representative sample of euro area citizens. Once the final project has been selected, the ECB will publish a report on the results of both surveys. The final decision on the design of the new banknotes is expected around the end of the year. The Governing Council will adopt it based on a combination of inputs: the jury’s conclusions, a technical evaluation and the results of the two surveys. The selected proposal will then be developed and tested before entering production. The new banknotes are expected to be put into circulation in the following years.

The previous series will retain their value and continue to circulate alongside the new one. This is the first complete redesign of the euro banknotes since their issue in 2002. “The design of the new graphic design of the euro banknotes is part of the Eurosystem’s long-term action to ensure that cash remains a safe, efficient and close to citizens’ means of payment and preserves their access to public money and their freedom to choose how to pay,” said Piero Cipollone, member of the Executive Board of the ECB.

New technologies

The periodic issuance of new series allows us to take advantage of technological advances to stay one step ahead of counterfeiting techniques, explains the ECB. The new banknotes will have more advanced security features also designed to facilitate recognition and accessibility by people with visual problems. The ECB also aims to reduce their environmental footprint by making them more resistant to wear and using more sustainable materials and production processes.