Unveiling of the shortlisted design proposals for future euro banknotes by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB)
ON 23 July 2026, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), unveiled the shortlisted design proposals for future euro banknotes in Frankfurt, Germany. The ECB had decided to redesign the banknotes in order to strengthen Europeans' connection to their shared heritage and culture. It had organised a design competition and selected two main themes: European Culture and Rivers and Birds. European Culture was chosen because it was considered closely linked to European identity, helping to foster a sense of belonging and to promote common values, inclusion and dialogue. Rivers and birds was selected because they do not recognise borders and symbolise freedom and unity among Europeans and their connection to nature. The theme was also intended to remind people of the importance of protecting the environment and to inspire them to do so. The redesign aimed to reflect European identity and the values it stands for more effectively, while also improving protection against counterfeiting, inclusion and accessibility, and environmental sustainability. The ECB had also organised a survey to gather public opinion on the future design of the banknotes.This video shows the unveiling of the shortlisted design proposals for future euro banknotes.
Show transcript
This transcript was automatically generated and may contain errors.
Yeah.
I am delighted to welcome you here today as we unveil the final 10 design proposals of our future Eurobanks.
Those, as you will see, are 10 very strong proposals, each one offering something very different,
one of which from the 10 will be ultimately selected.
To begin with, I would like to thank all those who have been involved in this process, whether as jury members, as designers,
or just as members of the teams that were involved here at the ECB, but also throughout the whole Euro system.
Throughout the process we wanted to ensure that the voices of Europeans were heard because if we print the banknotes,
the banknotes are yours.
More than 365,000 Europeans shared their views back in 2023 on the proposed themes.
Out of that consultation, which included many themes,
I can assure you, two themes emerged one, European and culture. European culture, to be precise, 2nd theme.
Rivers and birds Designers have worked to bring these themes to life,
and now we are turning it back over to you, asking you to have your say on the proposed designs. 5 from each theme. European culture Rivers and birds.
So let me reveal the 1st 5 proposed designs based on European culture. Please.
So here they are And let me just walk you through the theme.
We are just fortunate in Europe to have a rich cultural heritage.
Culture promotes values, inclusion, promotes dialogue in Europe. And beyond It also brings people together.
And these designs that you see here, and I'm sure you recognise some of those characters up there,
these designs proposals encapsulate that culture.
It required a choice, as you can imagine. There was plenty of it.
On the front You'll see major cultural figures from European history.
For example, Marie Curie Sodowska appears on the €20 designs,
and of course Ludwig von Beethoven appears on the €10.
Banknotes on the reverse, and you will be able to see and get closer to all that,
by the way, on the reverse, shared cultural places and activities are shown.
For example, the €10 shows a choir performing, while the €50 shows a library.
That's for European culture, as you see very different designs. Creative, inspired.
And we now move To the next theme Which is that of rivers and birds. So why rivers and birds?
Well, rivers and birds recognise no borders,
symbolise freedom and unity amongst Europeans, and our connection to nature.
Europe boasts a wide variety of birds and rivers. And They inspire us.
They remind us of our bound, but also our responsibility to nature.
On the front You'll see a bird and a river scene, for example,
a wall creeper and a mountain spring on the €5 note.
And a kingfisher at a waterfall on the €10 design. On the reverse of the banknote.
The European institutions remind us of the fundamental values of the European project.
For example, this institution, the ECB, is shown on the €20 banknote.
The European Parliament is on the €5 banknotes.
So you've had a first look at the 10 proposed designs. Out of these 10 proposals.
One will be chosen as the design for the next series of Eurobank notes at the end of 2026.
What we are now doing is asking you to participate in our public survey which is open as of now and until September 21.
The purpose is not to rank the designs, but rather to collect the public's opinion on each design proposal to support the governing Council decision making on the final design,
and that decision making will take place at the end of 26. So I encourage all of you.
To go online to participate in the survey and to give us your feedback.
Tell us which design you like and why? It won't take you long.
It will take you a few minutes to complete.
The survey can be accessed through the website.
And in the QR code you see at the end of this video.
And with that, I thank you all for participating, for having stayed with us on the occasion of this presentation.
I want to thank personally all members of Banknotes, our Directorate under the leadership of Doris,
who has been working so hard on this presentation and the massive work that lies behind.
Thank you so much.
