The European Central Bank Has Unveiled New Euro Banknotes

Photo Fact.

The European Central Bank (ECB), which is responsible for issuing the common currency of the 20 EU countries, has conducted a preliminary selection of specific designs that could be featured on the banknotes. In the near future, the banknotes may feature famous Europeans, cultural landmarks, or elements of the natural world, according to Deutsche Welle.

At the end of 2023, the ECB identified two thematic areas for the design of new euro banknotes in the eurozone. One of them is figures and sites significant to European culture and science; the other is European birds and river landscapes. Prior to this, residents of European Union countries had the opportunity to vote online to choose from a total of seven thematic categories—more than 365,000 people participated in the vote. The opinions of experts representing various disciplines and European countries were also taken into account in determining the future themes for the banknote designs.

Beethoven and da Vinci, or the kingfisher and the wryneck—on euro banknotes

The “European Culture” theme is dedicated to outstanding figures who have contributed to the development of Europe’s cultural heritage, as well as to cultural activities and sites that play an important role in shaping European identity. For example, the 10-euro note may feature the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, with a singing festival depicted on the reverse side. The 20-euro note may feature a portrait of Nobel laureate Marie Curie, with a classroom at a school or university on the reverse side. The 100-euro note could feature artist and sculptor Leonardo da Vinci on the front and a street art scene on the back.

The nature-themed series reflects the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems. Various river scenes and bird species will serve as a reminder of the importance of nature conservation. If this group of illustrations is ultimately selected, the 10-euro note may feature a kingfisher by a waterfall. The 20-euro note will feature one of Europe’s most vibrantly colored birds—a golden oriole in the sandy embankment of a wide river valley. The 50-euro note will feature a white stork, while the 100-euro note will depict a spoonbill foraging in shallow water. The reverse side of these banknotes will feature European institutions that symbolize the founding values of the “Europe” project, which include environmental protection: the European Parliament, the European Commission, the ECB, the Council of Europe, and others.

Why are the euro banknotes being redesigned?

“The new banknotes will symbolize our shared identity and the diversity that makes Europe strong,” explained ECB President Christine Lagarde. In the next phase, the European Central Bank will select the jury and announce a competition among designers in the EU—this will take place later this year. In 2026, the selected designs will be presented to the public, and the opinions of European citizens will be surveyed. A final decision on the design of the new banknotes will then be made. They will not enter circulation for several years.

The process of redesigning the banknotes was initiated by the ECB in late 2021. Regularly developing new series of banknotes is necessary to combat counterfeiting. The ECB also aims to reduce environmental impact—the new banknotes are designed to have a longer lifespan.

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