The European Central Bank (ECB) has presented ten shortlisted design proposals for the next series of euro banknotes and launched an online survey to gather public opinion. The survey, open to all citizens, will run until 21 September 2026, after which the ECB’s Governing Council is expected to select a final design by the end of the year. The initiative marks the first full redesign of the notes since their introduction in 2002, with the ECB stating that the new series aims to be more secure, more durable, and easier to recognise for people with visual impairments.

According to ECB President Christine Lagarde, the banknotes are “more than a means of payment; they are one of the most tangible expressions of Europe.” She said the designs, which “combine beauty and meaning, will strengthen our shared identity.” Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel added that the more people participate, “the better the future euro banknotes will reflect the diversity and values of Europe.” The ECB has not disclosed how the survey results will be weighted in the final decision.

The ten proposals, developed by graphic designers from across the European Union, are divided equally between two themes preselected by the ECB in early 2024: “European culture” and “Rivers and birds.” The culture theme features historical figures such as Maria Callas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Marie Curie, Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Bertha von Suttner on the front, with generic cultural spaces like libraries and public squares on the reverse. The nature theme pairs specific bird species—including the wallcreeper, kingfisher, and white stork—with river landscapes on the front, while the reverse depicts the buildings of EU institutions such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the ECB itself.

The redesign process, initiated in late 2021, is part of a long-term effort by the Eurosystem to keep cash secure and accessible. ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone noted that the project preserves citizens’ “access to public money and their freedom to choose how to pay.” Once a design is chosen, it will undergo further development, testing, and production, meaning the new notes are not expected to enter circulation for several years. Existing banknotes will remain valid and circulate in parallel.

The final decision rests with the ECB’s Governing Council, which will consider the survey results alongside the recommendations of an independent jury of 21 experts in fields including graphic design, communication, neuroscience, and history. The ECB plans to publish a report on the survey outcomes after the design concept is selected.