The European Central Bank (ECB) today unveiled the shortlisted design proposals for the next series of euro banknotes and launched a public survey inviting people across Europe to provide their feedback. These design proposals are based on two different themes – “European culture” and “Rivers and birds” – and on the associated motifs chosen to illustrate them.

The shortlisted proposals are the outcome of a European Union-wide design contest. Over 1,200 applications were received from graphic designers.

Now, everyone in Europe is invited to have their say in an online survey on these ten design proposals until 21 September 2026.

The Governing Council is expected to take the final decision on the new banknote design around the end of the year. It will base its decision on a combination of inputs, including the conclusions of the Design Contest Jury, a technical assessment and the survey results.

The selected design will then undergo further development and testing before going into production. Banknotes from the new series are expected to enter circulation in subsequent years. Euro banknotes from the previous series will retain their value and continue to circulate alongside the new series. This will be the first complete redesign of the euro banknotes since their issuance in 2002.