Overview
- The ECB presented ten finalist designs on Thursday and launched an online survey open to all euro‑area residents that runs until 21 September 2026.
- Finalists come in two themes—'European culture,' which pairs six denominations with portraits of figures such as Maria Callas and Leonardo da Vinci, and 'Rivers and birds,' which shows river landscapes and bird species with EU institutions on the reverse.
- A jury of 21 experts shortlisted the ten proposals from roughly 1,200 submissions and the survey results will be combined with a representative poll run by an independent research firm to advise the ECB Governing Council.
- The Governing Council is expected to choose a design by the end of 2026, after which selected designs will be developed, tested and produced over several years while current notes keep their legal value.
- The redesign aims to add new anti‑counterfeiting features, improve tactile and visual accessibility for people with impaired sight, and use more durable, sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact.