The Governing Council of the ECB has shortlisted the motifs for the two possible themes for future euro banknotes: “European culture: shared cultural spaces” and “Rivers and birds: resilience in diversity”. 

This decision incorporated suggestions provided by two advisory groups of experts from various euro area countries and a large public survey of 365,000 people. 

We are excited to present these real-life motifs that reflect our commitment to Europe and celebrate its cultural heritage and natural environment, said ECB President Christine Lagarde. The new banknotes will symbolise our shared European identity and the diversity that makes us strong.

Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel was pleased that the ECB Governing Council had shortlisted iconic European personalities for the future euro banknote motifs. The six women and men chosen embody European culture and values very well. They represent a broad historical spectrum of European music, science, literature and art, Mr Nagel said. The introduction of the third series of euro banknotes underlines, at the same time, the Eurosystem’s commitment to cash.

European culture: shared cultural spaces

The first theme, “European culture,” will show shared cultural spaces and familiar European faces on banknotes. The selected iconic personalities are the singer Maria Callas (€5), the composer Ludwig van Beethoven (€10), the chemist and physicist Marie Curie (€20), the author Miguel de Cervantes (€50), the polymath Leonardo da Vinci (€100) and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bertha von Suttner (€200). Various cultural activities and cultural spaces would then be depicted on the reverse side of the banknotes: street performers entertaining passersby (€5), a song festival with a choir of children and young adults singing (€10), a school or university with young students (€20), a library with adults and children (€50), adults and children admiring street art (100) and a tree-covered square with children and adults coming together (€200). 

Rivers and birds: resilience in diversity

The second theme, “Rivers and birds,” is intended to reflect the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems. The front sides of the banknotes would depict different stages of rivers and various bird species, in reference to the importance of nature and environmental protection. “The European institutions featured on the banknotes remind us of the fundamental values of the European project, which also embraces environmental protection,” according to the ECB’s press release, in reference to the motifs selected for the reverse sides of the banknotes. 

Selected motifs for the front side will include a kingfisher in a waterfall, a white stork flying over a river valley and a wallcreeper next to a mountain landscape. European institutions such as the European Parliament or the Court of Justice of the European Union would be depicted on the reverse side. 

Final decision expected in 2026

The ECB will launch a contest open to designers from across the EU in 2025. The shortlisted designs will be presented to the public in 2026, and Europeans will then be able to indicate which designs they prefer. The ECB is expected to make the final decision on the designs of the new banknotes in 2026.

Why are new euro banknotes being developed?

It is the duty of the ECB and the euro area national central banks to ensure euro banknotes remain an innovative and secure means of payment. In a world where technologies are rapidly evolving and where counterfeiters can easily access information, it is necessary to issue new banknotes on a regular basis.

In addition to these security aspects, euro area central banks are committed to reducing the environmental impact of the production, distribution and destruction of euro banknotes. The new banknotes are additionally intended to be even easier to use for vulnerable groups, such as the visually impaired.