The European Central Bank has unveiled ten final design concepts for the upcoming series of euro banknotes – the first comprehensive artistic update in over two decades, since the euro's introduction into circulation in 2002. Until September 21, 2026, residents of the Eurozone will be able to vote for one of two themes: "European Culture" or "Rivers and Birds." The ECB's Governing Council will make the final decision by the end of this year.
ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized the significance of this choice: "Euro banknotes are more than just a means of payment. They are one of the most tangible expressions of our common identity. With designs that combine beauty and meaning, they will strengthen our European unity."
For the creative community, the "European Culture" concept is particularly noteworthy. For the first time in the history of the euro, it is proposed to depict not abstract architectural motifs and symbolic bridges on banknotes, but specific cultural figures and the living spaces where their legacy continues to resonate today.
When the Viewer Becomes Part of the Money
The boldest move in the series is the 100 euro banknote. On the front is Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance artist and universal genius. On the back are adults and children viewing works of art in a gallery or museum. Here, the viewer is not just a background element but the main protagonist of the currency note.
This is a fundamentally new approach. Traditional banknotes have almost always shown portraits of monarchs, historical figures, or natural symbols. Here, the main action is the act of a person encountering art. The banknote becomes not only a portrait of a genius from the past but also a window into the present, where culture lives in people's everyday lives.
This decision embodies a profound idea: genius remains incomplete without an audience. Culture exists not only thanks to its creators but also thanks to millions of people who absorb, experience, and pass on this culture. The viewer standing before a painting is as essential as Leonardo himself.
Culture as a Living Process
The other denominations in the series develop this logic of human encounter with heritage:
- 5 Euro - Maria Callas, the legendary opera singer, and street performers
- 10 Euro - Ludwig van Beethoven and a children's choir singing in a concert hall
- 20 Euro - Maria Skłodowska-Curie and students in a university lecture hall
- 50 Euro - Miguel de Cervantes and people in a public library engrossed in reading
- 200 Euro - Bertha von Suttner, the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and citizens in a city square
The concept consciously moves away from static museum displays and pomp. Instead of solemn portraits in a classical style, it showcases culture in its living motion: music that rings out in concert halls and on the streets; knowledge that is passed from teacher to student; books that people read; art that stops both adults and children in their tracks. These are no longer marble busts – they are the breath of a living Europe.
This is an important shift in the philosophy of money. Euro banknotes are no longer just repositories of memory from the past – they are beginning to tell the story of how culture and knowledge live and transform in contemporary society.
Scale and Path to Decision
The history of this competition is impressive in its scale. In 2025–2026, over 1200 designers and artists from across Europe submitted their works. An independent jury of 21 experts in graphic design, communication, and history selected the 25 best projects, which were then developed into complete series. From these 25 options, the jury chose the final 10.
The public vote until September 21, 2026, is an important but not decisive stage. In parallel, an independent survey of a representative sample of Eurozone citizens is being conducted. The ECB's Governing Council will consider the results of both surveys, expert opinions, and technical production capabilities before announcing the winner by the end of 2026. After that, the new banknotes will undergo final development and testing before being put into circulation in the coming years.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Europe is not just changing the design of its money – it is asking itself: what do we want to see on the banknotes that will pass from hand to hand every day? And one of the most humane answers sounds like this: images of people encountering culture, creating a European future together with the geniuses of the past.
