ECB unveils designs for new euro banknotes
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has presented the designs for a new series of euro banknotes, introducing ten new notes based on two themes: “European culture” and “Rivers and birds.”
The selected themes and visual elements aim to reflect Europe's shared identity, heritage and natural environment, while maintaining the role of euro banknotes as a common symbol across the European Union.
"Euro banknotes are more than just a means of payment – they are one of the simplest expressions of Europe," Lagarde said. She added that the new designs would strengthen a sense of common identity through artwork combining aesthetic value and meaning.
The proposals were selected following an EU-wide design competition that attracted more than 1,200 applications from graphic designers. Twenty-five finalists were invited to develop design proposals for one or both themes.
An independent jury composed of 21 experts from different fields, appointed by a euro area national central bank, reviewed the submissions and selected the final ten design proposals.
The ECB said the redesign process reflects its commitment to modernizing euro banknotes while preserving their role as a shared European symbol.
