The ECB has released 10 proposed designs for a new euro banknote series and opened an online survey until 21 September. Five proposals follow a European Culture theme (portraits and cultural scenes) and five follow Rivers and Birds (wildlife and EU institutions). The Governing Council aims to choose a design in late 2026, and ECB leaders have urged broad public participation so the notes reflect Europe’s diversity.
Have Your Say: ECB Opens Public Vote on 10 New Euro Banknote Designs
President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde presents the shortlisted designs for the future euro banknotes during the ECB Governing Council meeting. (is associated with: «ECB opens public vote on new euro banknote designs») Andreas Arnold/dpa
The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled 10 proposed designs for a planned new series of euro banknotes and invited citizens across the EU to give feedback via an online survey open until 21 September. The proposals were created by commissioned graphic designers and reflect two broad themes under consideration.
What’s On Offer
The 10 submissions are split evenly between two themes:
- European Culture — Banknote fronts feature portraits of famous Europeans (examples cited include Ludwig van Beethoven, Marie Curie and Leonardo da Vinci), while the reverse sides show cultural scenes such as street artists and choral festivals.
- Rivers and Birds — Emphasizes Europe’s natural heritage, featuring species like the kingfisher and white stork, with reverse designs depicting European institutions such as the European Parliament, the European Commission and the ECB.
Why Public Input Matters
ECB President Christine Lagarde stressed that banknotes are “more than a means of payment” and belong to the citizens who use them, underlining the importance of public input. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel also urged broad participation, saying the more people vote, the better the selected banknotes will reflect Europe’s diversity and shared values.
“It is important to hear the voice of the people, to whom the banknotes belong,” — Christine Lagarde, ECB President.
Timeline and Next Steps
The ECB’s Governing Council is expected to select a winning proposal in late 2026. If a design is chosen then, there will be an additional period before the new notes are produced and put into circulation, so citizens should not expect new notes in wallets immediately after the selection.
The euro is the shared currency of around 358 million people across 21 European Union countries. Citizens are encouraged to review the designs and take part in the survey to help shape the look and symbolism of future euro banknotes.
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