Overview
- The ECB has released ten shortlisted banknote proposals and opened a Europe‑wide online consultation that runs until 21 September 2026, with the bank reporting more than six million responses so far.
- The finalists fall into two clear motif series — one showing famous cultural figures and the other depicting rivers and birds — offering different visions of shared European identity.
- The public vote is non‑binding and the ECB will combine survey feedback with an independent jury's advice and central‑bank technical security tests before the governing body aims to select a design by the end of 2026.
- Planned technical updates include keeping the six existing denominations (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 euros), adding accessibility marks such as value in Braille, and embedding optical security elements like holograms described by some designers.
- Reaction has been lively and mixed on social media and in the press, ranging from viral memes and praise for the bird concept to critics who say some designs look cheap or overly generated, while a number of finalists come from Bavarian illustrators.