New euro banknotes: Public invited to vote on designs featuring Europeans or nature

The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled potential new designs for euro banknotes, inviting public input before a final decision is made. The proposed themes offer a choice between celebrating prominent European figures or focusing on the continent's natural beauty through birds and rivers.

For the "European culture" theme, the ECB has shortlisted designs featuring notable Europeans such as opera singer Maria Callas, composer Ludwig von Beethoven, scientist Marie Curie, writer Miguel de Cervantes, inventor Leonardo da Vinci, and peace activist Bertha von Suttner. These individuals represent diverse sectors and span six decades of European culture, with accompanying imagery reflecting their fields.

Alternatively, the "rivers and birds" theme highlights Europe's natural ecosystems. Designs showcase various bird species like the treecreeper, kingfisher, bee-eater, stork, oyster catcher, and gannet, alongside depictions of rivers. These banknotes would feature European institutions on their reverse side.

European citizens have until September 21, 2026, to voice their preferences through an online survey. While public opinion is a key factor, the ECB will ultimately select the winning design, considering input from a specialized jury and technical studies. The chosen design will then undergo further refinement before the new banknotes are introduced into circulation, a process that began with the announcement five years ago and is expected to take several more years.