Overview
- The European Central Bank has unveiled ten shortlisted proposals for a full redesign of euro banknotes, selected by an independent jury from a Europe‑wide competition.
- The proposals fall into two clear themes: a ‘European culture’ set that places historical figures and cultural scenes on notes, and a ‘Rivers and birds’ set that pairs river landscapes with native bird species.
- The culture option names specific figures such as Maria Callas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Marie Curie‑Skłodowska, Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci and Bertha von Suttner on different denominations.
- The ECB is collecting public feedback through a survey open through September and will combine those responses with an independent poll, a technical assessment and the jury’s advice before the Governing Council makes the final choice.
- Any chosen design will only enter production after several years of technical work to add new anti‑counterfeiting measures and clearer tactile features, and the use of named figures breaks with past practice and could prompt political debate over national representation.