ECB launches design competition for new euro banknotes

15 July 2025

On Tuesday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the launch of a competition to design the next generation of euro banknotes in a press release. Two overarching themes have already been selected: European culture and rivers and birds.

The ECB has also revealed which historical figures and bird species will be featured. The shortlisted cultural figures are Maria Callas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Marie Curie, Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci and Bertha von Suttner. The shortlisted bird species are the wallcreeper, kingfisher, bee-eater colony, white stork, pied avocet and northern gannet.

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The design competition is open to graphic designers residing within the European Union. A panel of independent experts will review the submissions and select up to five finalists for each theme. An experienced designer from the National Bank of Belgium will represent Belgium on the jury.

Members of the public will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the shortlisted designs. The ECB is expected to make a final decision by the end of 2026. The new banknotes will enter circulation several years later.

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