ECB Survey on the New Euro Banknotes

It is the responsibility of the ECB and the national central banks of the euro area to ensure that euro banknotes remain an innovative, secure, and efficient means of payment. The first euro banknotes were introduced more than 20 years ago, and the second series began to circulate in 2013. The Eurosystem is working on the design of a new series of euro banknotes. This is an opportunity to make them more attractive, identifiable, and inclusive for all Europeans.

In early 2022, the ECB commissioned an independent polling company to gather responses from a representative sample of citizens across the euro zone on possible topics of interest for the image of the new banknotes. A group of specialists from various fields (history, natural and social sciences, graphic arts, and technology) presented a list of selected topics to the ECB Governing Council:

• Birds: resilient and evocative
• European culture
• European values reflected in nature
• The future is yours
• Hands: together we build Europe
• Our Europe, us
• Rivers: the waters of life in Europe

The institution has launched a survey for citizens to provide their opinion on the new series of banknotes until August 31.

The President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, invites everyone to participate in the survey, stating: “There is a close link between our single currency and our common European identity, and our new series of banknotes must highlight this. We want Europeans to identify with the design of the euro banknotes, so they will play an active role in selecting the new theme.”

On the other hand, Fabio Panetta, a member of the Executive Board, stated: “We are working on a new series of high-tech banknotes to prevent counterfeiting and reduce environmental impact. We are committed to maintaining the availability and acceptance of cash and ensuring that paying with central bank money is always an option.”