The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled 10 candidate designs for the next generation of euro banknotes. Five designs were selected under the themes of 'European Culture' and 'Rivers and Birds'. Out of 1,241 submissions received from across the European Union, 25 designers advanced to the final round, and an independent jury selected the final candidates from among 39 proposals.
‘The 'European Culture' design features Maria Callas, Beethoven, Marie Curie, Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Bertha von Suttner. It offers diverse interpretations of European cultural identity, such as by zooming in on the figures' eyes and mouths or combining portraits with collages. The 'Rivers and Birds' design depicts the flow of water from mountain springs to the sea and European birds. Candidates visualizing bird sounds and flight speeds as graphic information were also included.
The ECB plans to gather public opinion until September 21, 2026, and decide on a final proposal around the end of the year. Since the selected design will undergo security and accessibility reviews, as well as production and testing, it is expected to take several years before it is actually put into circulation. This redesign marks the first comprehensive redesign of euro banknotes since they were first issued in 2002.
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