ECB Asks Europeans to Vote on New Euro Banknote Designs
The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten shortlisted design proposals for the next generation of euro banknotes and launched a public survey inviting citizens across Europe to vote on their preferred designs. The consultation, which opened on 23 July 2026, runs until 21 September 2026, with the ECB Governing Council expected to select a final design around the end of the year, according to the ECB’s official press release.
This marks the first complete redesign of euro banknotes since they entered circulation in 2002. The 2013 “Europa series” was a security-focused facelift, not a full redesign. The new series will feature advanced security features including moving holograms, transparent windows, and colour-shifting ink, while also aiming to reduce the environmental footprint through enhanced durability and more sustainable materials.
Two Themes, Ten Designs
The proposals are organised around two distinct themes. The first, “European culture,” features six iconic historical figures from across the continent, each assigned to a specific denomination. The €5 note would bear Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, the €10 note German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, the €20 note Polish-French scientist Marie Curie, the €50 note Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, the €100 note Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, and the €200 note Austrian-Hungarian peace activist Bertha von Suttner. The reverse sides depict scenes related to each figure’s field — a school for Curie, street artists for Callas, and a literary scene for Cervantes.
The second theme, “Rivers and birds,” celebrates Europe’s natural ecosystems. Each denomination features a European bird species paired with an EU institution on the reverse. The €5 note showcases the wallcreeper alongside the European Parliament, the €10 note the kingfisher with the European Commission, the €20 note the European bee-eater with the ECB, the €50 note the white stork with the Court of Justice, the €100 note the avocet with the European Council, and the €200 note the northern gannet with the European Court of Auditors. Full details of all proposals are available on the ECB’s design proposals page.
An Unprecedented Public Consultation
The public vote represents an unprecedented level of citizen engagement in currency design. Unlike previous banknote redesigns, which were decided internally by central banks, the ECB has opened the process to all Europeans. The online survey, accessible at surveys.ecb.europa.eu, is complemented by a parallel survey conducted by an independent research company among a representative sample of euro area citizens.
“Euro banknotes are more than a means of payment — they are one of the most tangible expressions of Europe,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde. “Through designs that combine beauty and meaning, they will reinforce our shared identity.”
The Governing Council will base its final decision on four inputs: the public survey results, the parallel survey findings, the Design Contest Jury’s conclusions, and a technical assessment. The ECB has stated that the public’s feedback is “a key element” of the selection process but not the sole determining factor.
From Design Contest to Pocket Change
The redesign process began in November 2023 when the ECB selected the two possible themes. In January 2025, the themes were concretely defined and a design contest was launched, attracting over 1,200 applications from graphic designers across the European Union. Twenty-five designers were invited to create proposals, and an independent jury of 21 experts — spanning graphic design, communication, neuroscience, and history — shortlisted the ten final designs.
As reported by VRT NWS, the winning design will undergo further development and testing before entering production. The new banknotes are expected to enter circulation in subsequent years, with existing euro banknotes retaining their value and circulating alongside the new series.
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone emphasised that “the redesign of the euro banknotes is part of a long-term effort by the Eurosystem to ensure that cash remains a secure, efficient and relatable means of payment, preserving citizens’ access to public money and their freedom to choose how to pay.”
What’s at Stake
The choice between the two themes reflects broader societal values — celebrating human achievement versus honouring the natural environment. Some observers have noted that the selected historical figures are predominantly Western European and that no living figures were included. The €500 banknote, discontinued in 2019 due to concerns about illicit use, will not return, though existing notes retain their value.
The redesign also comes alongside the ECB’s parallel development of a digital euro. The European Parliament approved the digital euro framework in July 2026, and a trial has been announced for later this year. The physical banknote redesign reaffirms the ECB’s commitment to cash as a complementary payment method alongside digital currency.
With the public consultation now open, Europeans have until 21 September to make their voices heard on what their currency will look like for decades to come. The final decision, expected around the end of 2026, will shape one of the most tangible symbols of European unity.