ECB Launches Public Consultation on New Euro Banknote Designs

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a public consultation to gather opinions on the new euro banknote designs. The survey, which is open from July 23, 2026, to September 21, 2026, allows citizens to contribute to the process of choosing the future face of the single currency.

The ECB will consider the preferences expressed by the public, but the final decision will be made by the Governing Council. The survey is not a binding referendum, and its outcome will be evaluated alongside other factors such as technical checks and a second survey conducted on a representative sample of the eurozone population.

The consultation includes 10 finalist designs divided between two themes: 'European Culture' and 'Rivers and Birds'. Participants can view all the proposals, including the cuts for €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, and €200 euros. The ECB advises observers to consider overall coherence, recognisability of different values, and ability of images to communicate the chosen theme.