ECB unveils 10 proposals for new euro design, the public will vote on the winner

For the first time since the introduction of the common currency in 2002, the European Central Bank has unveiled a series of new designs for euro banknotes.

Citizens of the euro bloc will be invited to express their preference for the design, although the updated notes are not expected to be distributed to the public for several years.

The financial institution has made ten options available for the next generation of banknotes, organized around two conceptual themes: “European Culture” and “Rivers and Birds.”

The first alternative honors iconic figures such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci, Maria Callas, Marie Curie, Miguel de Cervantes, and Bertha von Suttner, while the second is dominated by nature scenes and symbolic birds of the continent.

Until September 21, the ECB has opened a public consultation process, inviting people to give their assessments on the proposals. The final choice of the winning design is expected to be announced at the end of 2026.

The new series will integrate more sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures, will be more practical for people with visual impairments, and will use materials with a lower ecological impact. However, they will not be put into circulation immediately, as the production and verification cycle will take several years.

Existing banknotes will retain their validity and will circulate simultaneously with future issuances.