The European Central Bank has presented ten design proposals for the new series of euro banknotes and opened a public survey where the public can express their opinion. The shortlist includes five proposals on the theme „European culture” and five proposals on the theme „Rivers and birds”. The survey is open for participation until September 21, 2026.
This is an important moment in the history of the single European currency. For the first time since their introduction in 2002, euro banknotes are set to receive a completely new design concept. The previous impersonal and sterile motifs of windows, doors, and bridges, based on European architectural periods and styles, could be replaced by portraits of famous people or depictions of European birds and river landscapes, which would represent a shift toward the „vibrancy” of these banknotes.
Ten proposals selected out of more than 1,200 entries
The design competition was held at the level of the entire European Union. More than 1,200 submissions from graphic designers were received, after which 25 candidates were invited to produce proposals for one or both of the selected themes.
An independent jury of 21 experts in graphic design, communications, history, neuroscience, and other disciplines has selected the ten final proposals. Five relate to European culture, and five to rivers and birds.
The proposals are marked with letters from A to J. Although the authors' names have been published on the ECB's websites, they are not highlighted in the survey itself. This is intended to prevent voting from being influenced by the nationality, reputation, or previous work of the designers, and to direct attention exclusively to the appearance of the banknotes.
European culture and famous historical figures
If the „European culture” theme wins, the faces of euro banknotes will feature famous figures who have left a strong mark on European art, music, science, literature, and the peace movement.
5 euros: Maria Callas
The banknote of the smallest denomination would be dedicated to the performing arts and opera singer Maria Callas. The reverse side would depict street musicians, dancers, or actors entertaining passersby.
10 euros: Ludwig van Beethoven
The front of the banknote would feature a portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven, while the back would depict a music festival with a choir of children and young people.
20 euros: Marie Curie
A 20 euro coin would be dedicated to universities, schools, and science. The obverse would feature Marie Curie, née Skłodowska, and the reverse a scene of teaching at a school or university.
50 euros: Miguel de Cervantes
Literature and libraries would be represented by the 50 euro banknote. The obverse would feature Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the author of Don Quixote, and the reverse would show library visitors reading printed and electronic books.
100 euros: Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci would be featured on the 100 euro banknote, dedicated to museums and exhibitions. The reverse side would depict adults and children observing contemporary or street art.
200 euros: Bertha von Suttner
The highest denomination of the new series would be dedicated to public squares and Bertha von Suttner, an Austrian writer, peace activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The reverse side would feature a square with trees and people talking, walking, playing, and spending time together.
The selection of this theme would represent a major departure from the current concept of euro banknotes. For the first time, clearly named historical figures would become the main motifs on the faces of regular banknotes. Previous European architectural structures were designed not to depict actual existing monuments, thereby seeking to avoid giving preference to individual countries or cities.
Although it is nice to see historically significant figures on banknotes, preference was given here to certain nations, so the banknotes feature: a Greek woman, a German man, a Polish woman (French woman?), a Spaniard, an Italian, and an Austrian woman. Other nations act as if they don't even exist or are not important...
What is commendable about these designs is the harmony between the obverse and reverse. Likewise, it is commendable that there are not so many European political-propagandistic elements on these proposals.
Rivers and birds, from the mountain spring to the sea
The second theme follows an imaginary journey of European waters from a mountain spring, across waterfalls and river valleys, all the way to the mouth and the open sea. The obverse of the banknotes would feature various species of birds in their natural habitats, while the reverses would depict European Union institutions.
5 euros: mason's trowel and the European Parliament
A mountain spring and a wallcreeper in a mountain landscape would be depicted on the obverse, and the European Parliament on the reverse.
10 euros: common kingfisher and the European Commission
On the obverse side would be a kingfisher near a waterfall or a calmer part of the river, while the reverse would be dedicated to the European Commission.
20 euros: beekeeper and European Central Bank
The banknote would depict a colony of European bee-eaters on a sandy riverbank, and on the reverse, the building of the European Central Bank.
50 euros: white stork and Court of Justice of the European Union
A white stork would fly above the meandering river in the wide river valley. On the other side of the banknote would be the Court of Justice of the European Union.
100 euros: swordfish and European councils
On the front of the banknote would be a swordfish foraging in an estuary area, and on the back, the European Council and the Council of the European Union.
200 euros: bluna and the European Court of Auditors
The highest denomination would feature a gannet above large ocean waves. The reverse would show the European Court of Auditors.
Rivers and birds were chosen because they do not know state borders. They symbolize the movement, freedom, connectedness, and diversity of European natural spaces. According to the official narrative, connecting natural motifs with the institutions of the European Union is meant to emphasize the shared responsibility for environmental conservation.
Although the motif of birds is neutral and generally acceptable as such to the broader layers of citizens, we cannot shake the impression that Eurocrats want to ruin even that by imposing various pointless buildings on the reverse sides. The lovely motifs on the reverse are met with their exact opposite in the form of grotesque concrete and glass monstrosities that mean nothing to the ordinary citizen of EU countries. What do the gannet and the European Court of Auditors have in common? The obverses of these proposals are commendable, but the reverses are pure EU political propaganda that should be avoided on currency.
From traditional portraits to almost experimental solutions
Ten proposals differ significantly from one another. Some designs retain the recognizable structure of a classic banknote, with a large portrait, a clearly highlighted denomination, and a dominant color. Others are much more contemporary and use enlarged eye and facial details, geometric shapes, collages, textures, and abstract symbols.
Among the proposals on the theme of culture, one design places emphasis on the eyes and mouths of historical figures. The eyes represent observation and thought, while the mouth represents expression, dialogue, and exchange. Another combines portraits with a map of Europe, constellations, and scenes of theaters, schools, libraries, museums, and public squares. Certain proposals use hand-drawn portraits and collages intended to represent the European principle of unity in diversity.
Under the theme „Rivers and birds,” one of the more unusual proposals presents data on bird calls and their flight speed in the form of graphic symbols. Another connects all six banknotes into a continuous story of a river flowing from a mountain spring toward the sea. In some solutions, the buildings of European institutions are formally connected with the wings of the birds depicted on the front of the banknote.
The published images are not yet the final banknotes. Following the election, technical refinement, adjustment of security features, verification of denomination recognition, durability testing, and preparation for production will follow. Therefore, certain details of the winning proposal may change.
Citizens give their opinion, but the final decision is made by the European Central Bank
Anyone can participate in the public consultation, regardless of age, nationality, or country of residence. It is available in all 24 official languages of the European Union, including Croatian. The consultation is anonymous, and the system is designed to ensure that each participant's choice is counted only once.
You can vote here.
The public vote is not, after all, a binding referendum. The final decision will be made by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. When making the decision, the results of the public survey, a separate study on a representative sample of euro area residents, the opinion of the expert jury, and the technical assessment of each proposal will be taken into account.
The decision on the appearance of the new series is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. Survey results should be published after the final design is selected.
Denominations, colors, and dimensions will probably remain the same
The new series is expected to retain the current denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 euros. The 500-euro banknote is not planned for the new series.
To facilitate the transition and reduce adjustment costs for ATMs, vending machines, and banknote sorting devices, the ECB expects the dimensions and dominant colors of individual denominations to generally remain the same. Thus, the 5 euro banknote would still be gray, the 10 euro red, the 20 euro blue, the 50 euro orange, the 100 euro green, and the 200 euro yellowish-brown.
New banknotes will not enter circulation as early as 2026
Some early media reports claimed that the new series could enter circulation as early as late 2026. This information is inconsistent with the official data from the European Central Bank.
Only the final design will be selected during 2026. This will be followed by development, testing, integration of security features, production preparation, and the gradual issuance of individual denominations. The ECB explicitly states that it will take several years before the first banknotes of the new series enter circulation. The exact date has not yet been determined.
Existing euro banknotes will not lose their value overnight, nor will citizens have to exchange them immediately. They will continue to circulate alongside the new series and will retain their full face value.
For paper money collectors, this will be the beginning of a particularly interesting period. Banknotes of the first series, the Europa series, and the future third series will be in circulation at the same time. Regardless of whether Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Curie or the common kingfisher and white stork ultimately win, the new series will represent the biggest change in the appearance of European paper money since the introduction of the euro.
Author: Zlatko Viščević with AI assistance
Photos: European Central Bank
